Family Immigration Services Director
Description
The Director of Family Immigration Services supports the mission and purpose of the Family Immigration Services Department (FIS) as a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized agency in providing low cost immigration services to immigrants and refugees. The Director manages the operations of FIS serving immigrants and their families across a 10-county service area. Supervises and trains DOJ-accredited staff and other program staff. Provides guidance and assistance on cases and ensures compliance with all legal and ethical standards. Assists immigrants and refugees seeking counsel or legal representation on cases for federal immigration benefits through legal representation, community information sessions, and related immigration activities.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Establish, staff, and manage an organizational structure that facilitates the effective functioning of FIS, establishing overall service delivery standards and operations throughout the 10-county service area that complies with ethical guidelines and all applicable regulations.
- Develop operating plans for FIS in support of the agency’s strategic plan to include long and short term goals and objectives, as well as measurable program outcomes.
- Provide individualized case management services appropriate to each client’s needs.
- Provide direct legal services by meeting with clients, preparing applications, drafting client declarations, and submitting cases to Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Gather necessary documentation to support successful immigration case work.
- Assist clients with the preparation, review, and submission of petitions to USCIS.
- Represent clients in Immigration Court hearings and administrative interviews, as necessary. Provide technical review of filings of accredited staff.
- Serve as point person for risk mitigation related to provision of legal advice and counsel.
- Provide supervision for FIS staff, as well as supervision of all legal immigration work on behalf of clients on an on-going basis to ensure the highest quality of work and full compliance with governing policy and law.
- Develop training standards for all staff. Oversee and monitor recognition (licensing) of agency and accreditation of individual staff through the DOJ.
- Coordinate human resource issues including recruitment, selection, and training of FIS staff.
- Identify and mitigate risks for the department in cooperation with human resources.
- Report to the VP of Adult & Immigrant Services and Sr. VP of Operations (SVPO) on the status of FIS programs and matters affecting policy.
- Develop and update department policies to promote compliance with regulation and accredited standards.
- Participate in administrative and legislative advocacy at local and national levels.
- Participate in workshops for the public and collaborative partners on basic pathways to citizenship, benefits eligibility, understanding individual rights, and other topics.
- Prepare and manage the department’s annual operating budget in conjunction with the VP of Adult & Immigrant Services, SVPO, CFO, and CEO.
- Monitor monthly financial reports for compliance. Review contracts and Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding to support department operations.
- Guide access and delivery of legal immigration services to immigrants throughout the Diocese of Colorado Springs researching and implementing appropriate methods or technologies.
- Support communication efforts targeted to immigrant and refugee communities on Catholic Charities’ immigration services and critical topics for safety and welfare of those communities.
- Prepare and present presentations in community settings.
- Support fund development, grant writing, reporting/contracting, and public relations efforts for FIS in conjunction with the Development Department.
- Provide for the maintenance of appropriate records, files, database entries, and reports.
- Comply with all documentation and work products required to comply with DOJ requirements and grant funders.
Skills & Competencies
- Demonstrated self-starter and ability to work independently with little supervision, collaboratively within a team, and with professionals from other fields to assist clients.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) in English and Spanish, problem solving, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to form and maintain positive work relationships.
- Detailed and strong administrative, organizational, and management skills, with ability to prioritize multiple important tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and ability to manage client cases in LawLogix cloud-based case management and tracking system.
Requirements
- Juris doctor degree and admission to the bar of any state, or previous U.S. DOJ full accreditation required.
- Three or more years’ experience as a practicing attorney or accredited legal immigration counseling, to include experience representing individual clients in a variety of family-based and other processes before USCIS is desired.
- One to three years managing/supervising a diverse workforce providing immigration legal services, or other similar human services delivery.
- Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (verbal and written).
- Frequent travel using own transportation and working outside of normal business hours are required. Ability to work some weekends and evenings.
- Strong commitment to supporting immigrants and refugees.
- Advanced understanding of immigration and citizenship law and procedure, including but not limited to family based immigration, waivers of grounds of inadmissibility, U visa and VAWA, T visa, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, naturalization, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival.
- Demonstrated responsiveness and sensitivity to cultural differences. Ability to apply culturally appropriate skills in interactions with clients, co-workers, volunteers, partner agencies, and other community members.
- Ability to establish, foster, interact persuasively, and maintain effective working relations with a broad variety of groups, within and outside the organization.
- Ability to bring diverse community groups together, to establish rapport and to build on contact to enhance programs and populations served by the program.
- Excellent public-speaking communication skills and the ability and willingness to represent Catholic Charities in a positive and proactive manner within agency guidelines.
- Understanding of how the work of Catholic Charities upholds Catholic social teaching.
Compensation
- $58,000 - $72,000 DOE
Click here to apply
Closing Date
Employment Type
Employment Level
Hours
Position
Organization
Job Location
Colorado Springs, CO
United States
Bilingual Administrative Assistant
Description
To advance the mission and purpose of Catholic Charities to help individuals and families to thrive, by supporting the Family Immigration Services Department’s low cost immigration services to immigrants and refugees. The Administrative Assistant will support the Immigration Counselors and Director as required. Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English is required for this position.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Maintain a friendly and welcoming presence at the reception area.
- Receive anyone who enters the reception area in a cordial way, determine their specific need, and take appropriate steps in response. Redirect or seek supervisory assistance for any clients with complaints or concerns.
- Schedule appointments for immigration counselors using case management software and according to parameters set forth by program staff.
- Answer incoming calls, retrieve messages, and return phone calls as needed. Monitor and administer FIS general email account (immigration@CCharitiesCC.org).
- Refer clients with non-immigration needs to other Catholic Charities departments and community partners as appropriate. Maintain up-to-date referral lists with guidance from supervisor.
- Acquire understanding of basic concepts of immigration law, to extent needed to effectively screen client requests for assistance.
- Collect fees and maintain accurate records and receipts.
- Help in the process of obtaining information from clients, such as survey responses or documentation needed for completion of immigration application.
- Assist with keeping records sufficient for statistical reports required for funding sources, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado, and U.S. Department of Justice.
- Help with case file organization and file case paperwork, including mailing of documents.
- Represent Catholic Charities within agency guidelines.
Education/Experience
- High school diploma
- Experience working with the general public in a customer service environment preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Demonstrated self-starter and ability to work independently with little supervision and collaboratively within a team.
- Detailed and strong time management and organizational skills, with ability to prioritize multiple important tasks, meet deadlines, and work under pressure.
- Previous experience handling a high volume of calls preferred.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office, and ability to manage client cases in LawLogix cloud-based case management and tracking system.
Requirements
- Advanced proficiency in Spanish and fluency in English (verbal and written). Strong commitment to supporting immigrants and refugees.
- Demonstrated responsiveness and sensitivity to cultural differences. Ability to apply culturally appropriate skills in interactions with clients, co-workers, volunteers, partner agencies, and other community members.
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) in English and Spanish, problem solving, listening, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to form and maintain positive work relationships.
- Understanding of how the work of Catholic Charities upholds Catholic social teaching and willingness to represent Catholic Charities within agency guidelines.
- Occasional evenings and weekends are required to accommodate meetings and special events.
Compensation
- $28,587 - Full Time 36 hours/week
Click here to apply
Closing Date
Employment Type
Employment Level
Hours
Position
Organization
Job Location
Colorado Springs, CO
United States
Long-term BIA Pro Bono Project case ends with a victory
CLINIC’s BIA Pro Bono Appeals Project launched in 2001. In its 19+ years of operation, the Project has reviewed more than 7,200 cases, pairing attorneys and law school clinics with vulnerable asylum seekers and long-time lawful permanent residents. The Project accepted Jose Tineo’s case and referred it to attorney Nick Curcio in 2013. After seven years, the case ultimately reached the Third Circuit as Tineo v. Att’y Gen., 937 F.3d 200 (3d Cir. 2019). The proceedings finally ended in 2020 when the government decided not to ask the Supreme Court for a review.
Jose was born in the Dominican Republic to unmarried parents. His mother passed away when he was young, and he was primarily raised by his father’s sister. Before Jose turned 18, his father immigrated to the United States and obtained citizenship. If his parents had been married, he would have automatically derived his father’s citizenship. However, the rules for unwed parents require a father to “legitimate” his child in order for that child to derive citizenship. Legitimation is different from both parental acknowledgement and custody. Under Dominican and New York law, Jose’s father could only legitimate his son — and subsequently transmit his U.S. citizenship — by marrying his son’s mother, who had passed away years before.
Jose came to the United States in 1985 to live with his father as a permanent resident. He built a life in the United States, becoming a father himself. He even obtained a passport in 2001 to be able to return to the Dominican Republic to visit his family. After a run in with the law, he was placed in removal proceedings. He was detained for 19 months and had to represent himself until he was paired with Curcio.
Jose’s case was the first to follow successfully on the Supreme Court’s 2016 decision in Sessions v. Morales-Santana. In the Morales-Santana case, the Court struck down a citizenship statute that imposed different requirements for fathers to pass on their citizenship compared to mothers. In Jose’s case, the Third Circuit found, in a 2-1 decision, that under the unique circumstances of this case, Jose’s father was deprived of the equal protection of the laws. Jose is a United States citizen, the court declared, and has been since 1985. The government petitioned for rehearing, but the full Third Circuit declined to intervene. Ultimately, the government declined to ask the Supreme Court to review the case.
For the better part of the last decade, Jose’s life has been filled with uncertainty and stress. Now, he has obtained a passport for the first time since the removal proceedings began, giving him the freedom to stay connected with his family in both the Dominican Republic and the United States. Currently, Jose is expecting his first grandchild. While the pandemic has affected his initial travel plans, he is looking forward to seeing his daughter and meeting his grandchild soon.
The BIA Pro Bono Project provides the opportunity for attorneys and fully accredited representatives to fight for people like Jose who, otherwise, may have to represent themselves. If you would like to volunteer with the BIA Pro Bono Project, please fill out our volunteer form.
Work and play! African Cultural Alliance of North America assists newcomers and celebrates cultural values
In 1999, a group of African musicians working to establish themselves in the United States as artists created African Cultural Alliance of North America, or ACANA. Voffee Jabateh, CEO and executive director was among them. Prior to joining ACANA, Jabateh worked as a mental health counselor and saw a great need to bring the immigrant and refugee communities together. At the time, there was tense civil conflict in West Africa causing many West Africans to leave their home countries and seek refuge in the United States.
Like most immigrants and refugees rebuilding their lives in a new country, many felt lonely, confused and intimidated. ACANA initially intended to be a cultural arts program, bringing together African artists, but it quickly evolved to offer other social services to address barriers and challenges experienced by newly arrived immigrants in Philadelphia.
The arts and culture program “aims to ensure that African immigrants retain an appreciation for their ethnic and cultural heritage and share that appreciation with their new community.” In an area where cultural art programs are limited, this program has been helpful for at-risk youth, as it offers a healthy outlet to express themselves. It also provides support from their parents, community and mentors. The program includes dance classes, a fully equipped recording studio and community-wide events. ACANAFest is their annual multicultural festival, which will be held virtually in 2020 due to COVID-19.
With support from local officials and other partners, ACANA offers services that focus on all aspects of life to ensure successful integration. Their programs are dedicated to meet the needs of everyone in the community and consist of: arts and culture, mental and physical wellness, immigration law and legal help, community development, and support for youth and families. ACANA is a one-stop shop for anyone in need.
ACANA also works closely with low to moderate income neighborhoods as part of the Corridor Revitalization Project. Working with community members in the Chester, Elmwood and Woodland neighborhoods, ACANA focuses on community cleaning such as graffiti removal and street cleaning. They also assist in employment and financial opportunities, as well as assist small mom and pop shops, many of which are owned by immigrants. During recent peaceful protest for Black Lives, ACANA worked to support these neighborhoods and keep everyone involved safe. ACANA has worked closely with Black-led advocacy groups as a way to bridge together Africans with African Americans and other U.S. born citizens. They recently won their advocacy campaign to have Juneteenth officially recognized as a citywide holiday.
Their work also expands to immigration services. ACANA has participated in CLINIC’s New Americans Campaign over the last three years. So far, they have completed about 250 citizenship applications. While ACANA works primarily with the African immigrant community, they are able to assist and support newcomers and long-term residents alike through their all-inclusive services.
CLINIC applauds ACANA for promoting the well-being of immigrants while celebrating their culture and diversity. Want to be featured in our monthly highlight? Share with us how your community promotes immigrant integration.
