Immigration Attorney

HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois.

HANA’s Immigration & Legal Services support 8,000 community members each year to build legal and financial capacity through completion of citizenship and DACA applications, participation in civic classes, pro bono legal consultation, counseling for housing and financial literacy, and Know Your Rights training.

Position Summary:

The Immigration Attorney is responsible for leading HANA’s Access to Justice (A2J) program, which provides immigration legal services for low-income, multiethnic immigrants in Chicago and the northwest suburbs. As leader of the A2J program, the Immigration Attorney oversees program outreach, development, and administration, supervises A2J staff, and provides direct legal services to eligible community members. Common cases handled by the attorney include Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, TPS, FOIA, and asylum.

Major Responsibilities:

Program Administration:

  • Plan, monitor, and evaluate effectiveness of A2J program, implementing best practices and ensuring timely completion of required deliverables
  • Supervise A2J program team (two legal support staff and one part-time attorney) and coordinate regular case review meetings
  • Oversee community outreach and represent HANA at events to promote awareness about A2J and other HANA programs
  • Support A2J staff to identify, train, and develop a growing network of informed and engaged Community Navigators
  • Assess community needs and barriers to services, and develop recommendations and solutions
  • Build relationships to foster collaborative opportunities with other HANA programs and external partners
  • Oversee data collection and recording, keeping accurate and thorough client records in database
  • Prepare clear and concise reports and assist with completing grant proposals and renewal applications
  • Assist team members to identify and participate in relevant trainings and professional development activities
  • Other duties as assigned

Immigration Legal Services:

  • Assess community members’ eligibility for various forms of immigrant relief
  • Assist community members with completion of appropriate applications and maintain communication regarding case status
  • Supervise case management including but not limited to maintaining and reviewing client files, drafting cover letters, preparing and reviewing application packets
  • Advocate for community members before USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, EOIR, and other government agencies
  • Make appropriate referrals for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program
  • Maintain accurate, timely, and thorough completion of case notes and reporting
  • Train non-legal and/or legal volunteers to complete applications when necessary
  • Provide legal oversight at workshops when applicable
  • Perform factual and legal research and continually monitor developments in immigration law and procedure, participating in required trainings

Key Qualifications:

  • Commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice
  • A belief in communities’ ability to support each other, organize, and achieve desired goals together
  • Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred
  • Juris Doctorate degree and 3+ years practicing immigration law
  • Experience in drafting affidavits pertaining to family-based cases and hardship waivers; experience with bond hearings and removal defense cases strongly preferred
  • Experience communicating with clients and government agencies, such as USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, and EOIR, regarding immigration matters
  • Bilingual proficiency in Korean and/or Spanish is an asset
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; empathic listener sensitive to legal issues experienced by diverse immigrant communities
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with people of diverse social, economic, racial/ethnic, and faith backgrounds
  • Proactive self-starter with a solution-oriented mindset and willingness to take initiative
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to stay organized, manage a high volume workload, and work under strict deadlines
  • Proficiency using Microsoft and Google suites; prior experience with LawLogix a plus
  • Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills
  • Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from community members and the general public
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team
  • A valid driver’s license, car, and car insurance strongly preferred
  • Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required

Compensation:

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $60,000-$75,000 and benefits thatinclude paid time off, health, dental, vision, long-term disability, life, and 401K.

Application:

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter at http://hanacenter.org/joinhana.

HANA Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer. W

omen, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals are encouraged to apply

Closing Date

Employment Type

Affiliate Agency

Employment Level

Job

Hours

Full Time

Reports To

Director Immigration & Legal Services, with close support from Deputy Director of Programs

Position

Immigration Attorney

Organization

HANA Center

Job Location

Split between HANA’s Chicago and Northwest Centers
Chicago, IL
United States