Immigration Legal Assistant

International Rescue Committee - Atlanta, GA

Part-time - Entry Level

Atlanta, GA

Social Assistance

About the position

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization that responds to the world's most severe crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to individuals affected by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein, the IRC operates in over 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities, assisting people in reclaiming control of their futures and strengthening their communities. The organization is dedicated to delivering lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity, and hope to millions. If you are a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, we invite you to join us in making a positive difference in the lives of millions worldwide. In this role as an Immigration Legal Assistant, you will be part of the Refugee and Immigrant Services (RAI) program, which provides essential legal representation and advice to over 14,000 individuals annually across 23 sites in the U.S. Your primary responsibilities will include supporting legal practitioners in representing clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and conducting community-based naturalization workshops. The legal services focus on naturalization, adjustment of status, and family reunification. You will coordinate the completion and submission of family reunification applications, identify eligible clients, and conduct outreach to promote these programs. Additionally, you will assist clients in preparing and submitting applications, provide case status updates, and communicate with clients regarding their pending applications. This position encourages staff to pursue Department of Justice (DOJ) accreditation with support from IRC's Immigration Technical Unit. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate records, responding to client inquiries, and ensuring compliance with IRC's Immigration Program Policies. Your role will also involve participating in training webinars and managing intern and volunteer support as needed. This is an opportunity to contribute to a meaningful cause while developing your skills in immigration law and advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide clients with information on immigration benefits before USCIS under the supervision of a licensed or accredited legal practitioner.
• Gather documents and assist clients in completing applications for immigration benefits.
• Respond to inquiries from clients regarding case status and submit inquiries to USCIS and the Department of State (DOS).
• Process correspondence from USCIS and DOS, including notifying clients and assisting them in preparing responses to notices or evidence requests.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date physical and electronic files, detailed case notes, and enter required data in a timely manner.
• Meet all case reporting requirements within established timelines and standards, and assist in the completion of statistical, narrative, and financial reports.
• Represent the IRC with clients, community members, and partners by managing communications and scheduling appointments.
• Conduct outreach for legal services and support events, including group processing events.
• Maintain strict client confidentiality and adhere to ethical practices as outlined in IRC's Immigration Program Policies Manual.
• Participate in training webinars on family reunification programs and communicate program eligibility and requirements to clients.
• Complete applications in the IRIS database and monitor for updates and corrections needed.
• Track applications to respond to client inquiries after submission.
• Pursue Department of Justice accreditation by completing all necessary training.
• Manage intern and volunteer support as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• Demonstrated success working and communicating effectively in a multi-cultural environment and with Limited English Proficient populations.
• Previous experience with immigration legal or social services is strongly preferred.
• Experience in community-based outreach and/or promoting immigrant rights is preferred.
• Familiarity with immigration software and experience with data entry and management are a plus.
• Demonstrated dedication to immigrant rights, social justice, and/or human rights based on work experience, volunteer service, or educational activities.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and take independent initiative.
• Excellent attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfortable utilizing online software and programs.
• Excellent communication skills with proficiency in written and spoken English is required.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency or fluency in languages spoken by client groups, such as Spanish, Amharic, Dari, Pashto, Arabic, French, or Haitian-Creole.

Benefits

• 403(b) retirement savings plan with up to 4.5% immediately vested matching contribution and an additional 3-7% IRC contribution.
• Dental insurance.
• Disability insurance.
• Employee assistance program.
• Flexible spending account for healthcare, childcare, and commuter costs.
• Health insurance with employee contributions starting at $135 per month.
• Life insurance.