New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is seeking a full-time Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative for our Survivor of Crime program.

NMILC is a social justice organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. Each year we provide direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of immigrants and advocate for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NMILC’s model focuses on establishing relationships with local, state and national organizations and governmental institutions to expand access to legal services for historically marginalized immigrant communities. NMILC’s Survivor of Crime program offers survivorcentered legal services to immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking and other crime victims throughout New Mexico.

Job Summary

The Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will be responsible for coordinating immigration legal services and legal case management for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and assisting Staff Attorneys with economic advocacy related to the victimization. In addition, the Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will be responsible for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with victim service providers and responding to all referrals from victim agency staff. The Paralegal/DOJ Accredited Representative will also be responsible for monitoring federal grant program compliance and collaborating with NMILC grant managers to ensure adherence to program guidelines.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate immigration legal services and case management for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault referred by the victim service provider partners.
• Respond to all referrals from the victim service provider staff and schedule intakes with immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Conduct monthly check in meetings with victim service provider staff liaisons and conduct bi-annual trainings with victim service provider staff.
• Ensure all client information is correctly and timely entered into Legal Server.
• Provide immigration legal assistance support and direct representation (once DOJ Accredited) as needed to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, leveraging protections allowed in law through VAWA, U-visas, T-visas, asylum and related forms of relief.
• Conduct an average of 5 consultations a month, maintain a case load of 10-15 active cases, and manage a pending case load of 20-50 client files;
  • Consultation expectations include: timely completion of intake; adherence to intake protocols in Legal Server; record detailed intake notes in Legal Server; promptly follow up on any research or follow up areas and communicate with potential client on status of intake.
  • Direct representation expectations include: Complete case work, filings, and legal research in a timely manner; effectively track open/working cases and pending case related to-dos; maintain accurate case notes and activity logs in LegalServer; return client calls promptly.
  • Pending case expectations include: Maintain complete and accurate client records in
  • physical files and Legal Server such as logging all new activities, receipt of documents, filing, and correspondence in each case file, and maintaining detailed and up-to-date database notes. Maintain contact with clients, log updated contact information, and promptly return calls.
• Complete bi-annual case audit for presentation to and review by Legal Supervisor
• Follow case management documentation protocols in compliance with best practices/legal ethical standards and ensure programmatic compliance with grant requirements, allocations, and reporting
• Manage utilization of interpretation and translation services for project.
• Provide information to survivors about victim rights and victim compensation.
• Responsible for ensuring team’s program compliance with 1-2 federal grants and collaborating with with Grants Manager, Legal Program Manager and Deputy Director to ensure compliance with grant requirements and reporting.
• Ensure all Time and Attendance Reports are accurate, adhere to program and grant funding guidelines, and timely completed.

Qualifications

• Paralegal experience desired. Candidates with current or former DOJ Accreditation or previous experience working in an immigration law office are highly desired;
• Bi-lingual Spanish and English;
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NMILC’s mission, vision and values, which can be found at www.nmilc.org/values;
• Experience with immigration law (particularly in VAWA, U-visas and T-visa) and prior experience working with survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault preferred.
• Prior experience managing high volume case load preferred;
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow, enforce, and strictly adhere to government grant procedures and timekeeping requirements;
• Excellent customer service and strong follow through in communication with clients, colleagues, and community partners;
• Strong sense of personal initiative and ability to manage and prioritize effectively multiple tasks without extensive supervision;
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, immigrant rights, social justice issues, and working with survivors of crimes;
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime survivors;
• Team player; the ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services.

Environment

NMILC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people from a diverse set of experiences. NMILC is a progressive organization and applicants are expected to collaborate in an inclusive and diverse environment. We are a group of highly dedicated and motivated individuals seeking transformative change for our state and welcome anyone who is interested in being part of our team.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NMILC’s staff is largely working remotely. This position is usually based out of our Albuquerque office. If the successful candidate is hired while NMILC’s staff is still remote, we will work with that candidate to ensure that they have the tools, equipment, and digital onboarding to be successfully integrated into our remote work environment. After the Pandemic, the staff will be expected to travel frequently to partner organizations throughout New Mexico.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive non-profit salary. Excellent benefits provided, including full health insurance coverage, dental and vision, and generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

To Apply

Please submit your: a) resume; and b) cover letter describing how your lived or work experience would make you a good fit for this role to jobs@nmilc.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is seeking a Staff Attorney for our Survivor of Crime program.

NMILC is a social justice organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. Each year we provide direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of immigrants and advocate for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NMILC’s model focuses on establishing relationships with local, state and national organizations and governmental institutions to expand access to legal services for historically marginalized immigrant communities.

Job Summary

The Staff Attorney will be responsible for managing a large case load of U visa, VAWA, and T visa-related cases, primarily based on domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking. They will also provide economic-related legal advocacy for clients. In addition, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with victim service providers. Frequent communication with the NMILC legal team, government agency officials and immigrant and victim service organizations is required in order to ensure clients receive holistic, culturally-competent and trauma informed services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use trauma-informed approach to provide direct legal services to immigrant victims of crimes to address immigration legal assistance and related economic legal and advocacy issues that arise from the victimization;
• Represent immigrant victims of crime, with a focus on victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking, in the state of New Mexico in seeking immigration relief before United States Citizenship and Immigrant Services (USCIS), Immigration Court, and the Board of Immigration Appeals;
• Represent immigrant victims of crime in economic justice matters related to the victimization;
• Conduct individual consultations;
• Complete bi-annual case audit for presentation to and review by Legal Supervisor
• Maintain and further develop collaborative relationships with organizations that provide services to culturally-specific and underserved populations, with a focus on organizations in rural areas, in order to ensure clients receive wraparound support to mitigate effects of victimization and trauma;
• Maintain collaborative relationships with law enforcement agencies who are tasked with investigating crimes;
• Serve as NMILC liaison for crime victim coalitions, task force, and other collaborations as needed;
• Provide telephonic screenings during weekly phone hours, on rotation with other NMILC legal representatives;
• Follow case management documentations protocols in compliance with best practices/legal ethical standards and ensure programmatic compliance with grant requirements, allocations, and reporting;
• Maintain accurate time and attendance reports and submit reports on timely basis and with accuracy.

Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to the bar of any state in the U.S.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NMILC’s mission, vision and values, which can be found at www.nmilc.org/values;
• Prior experience litigating survivor-based forms of relief before USCIS preferred;
• Prior experience representing persons in removal proceedings preferred;
• Prior experience managing high volume case load preferred;
• Bilingual Spanish and English;
• Excellent written, analytical, oral, organizational, and time management skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, immigrant rights, social justice issues, and working with survivors of crimes;
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime survivors;
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills;
• Team player; the ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services.

Environment

NNMILC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people from a diverse set of experiences. NMILC is a progressive organization and applicants are expected to collaborate in an inclusive and diverse environment. We are a group of highly dedicated and motivated individuals seeking transformative change for our state and welcome anyone who is interested in being part of our team.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NMILC’s staff is largely working remotely. This position is usually based out of our Albuquerque office. If the successful candidate is hired while NMILC’s staff is still remote, we will work with that candidate to ensure that they have the tools, equipment, and digital onboarding to be successfully integrated into our remote work environment. After the Pandemic, the attorney will be expected to travel frequently to rural partner organizations throughout New Mexico and El Paso Immigration Court.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive non-profit salary. Excellent benefits provided, including full health insurance coverage, dental and vision, and generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

To Apply

Please submit your: a) resume; and b) cover letter describing how your lived or work experience would make you a good fit for this role to jobs@nmilc.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) is seeking a Staff Attorney for our Economic Justice program. For a candidate with more experience than indicated below, NMILC is willing to modify the position to a Senior Attorney or Supervising Attorney position. Please let us know in your cover letter if you’d like to be considered for a Senior or Supervising Attorney position.

NMILC is a social justice organization whose mission is to advance equity and justice by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education. Each year we provide direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of immigrants and advocate for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NMILC’s model focuses on establishing relationships with local, state and national organizations and governmental institutions to expand access to legal services for historically marginalized immigrant communities.

Job Summary

This position has both direct legal service and legal advocacy and policy components. The Economic Justice Attorney will be responsible for economic-related legal advocacy and direct representation for immigrants, with a focus on victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, those impacted by COVID-19, and residents in rural areas. In addition, the Staff Attorney will be responsible for partnering with community-based organizations to ensure implementation of Senate Bill 137, which removed statutory barriers based on immigration and citizenship status for those seeking to obtain professional and occupational licenses, and continued advocacy to address any shortcomings of SB 137. Frequent communication with the NMILC legal team, community partners, government agency officials and immigrant and victim service organizations is required in order to ensure clients receive holistic legal services and to ensure effective sector-wide implementation of SB 137.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Use trauma-informed approach to provide direct legal services to immigrant victims of crimes to address economic justice and advocacy issues that arise from the victimization;
• Represent immigrant victims of crime in economic justice matters related to the victimization, such as wage and hour claims, EEOC claims, consumer protection, tax matters, and public benefits;
• Represent immigrant business owners and entrepreneurs in business association, licensing, and other related matters to assist them in starting or sustaining their businesses;
• Assist members of the immigrant community with referrals and/or representation in economic justice matters arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and related issues, such as accessing stimulus payments, applying for unemployment benefits, and fighting wrongful evictions;
• Conduct on average 5 consultations a month, maintain a case load of 5-10 active cases, and manage a pending case load of 20-30 client files;
  • Consultation expectations include: timely completion of intake; adherence to intake protocols in Legal Server, our case management system; record detailed intake notes in Legal Server; promptly follow up on any research or follow up areas and communicate with potential client on status of intake.
  • Direct representation expectations include: Complete case work, filings, and legal research in a timely manner; effectively track open/working cases and pending case related to-dos; maintain accurate case notes and activity logs in LegalServer; return client calls promptly.
  • Pending case expectations include: Maintain complete and accurate client records in physical files and Legal Server, such as logging all new activities, receipt of documents, filing and correspondence in each case file, and maintaining detailed and up-to-date database notes. Maintain contact with clients, log updated contact information, and promptly return calls.
• Provide telephonic screenings during weekly phone hours, on rotation with other NMILC legal representatives;
• Complete bi-annual case audit for presentation to and review by Legal Supervisor
• Maintain and further develop collaborative relationships with organizations, including victim service organizations that provide services to victims of economic justice in rural areas and provide quarterly trainings to their staff; Color Theory collaborative partners that provide support to businesses and entrepreneurs; and the Mexican Consulate to provide outreach to impacted community members.
• Support SB 137 implementation and on-going advocacy by training community partner staff on SB 137; provide legal advocacy to individuals who are wrongly denied licensure according to SB 137; advocate with New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department (RLD), Boards/commissions' Chairs and Attorney General under RLD, and other boards/commission outside of RLD to adequately implement SB 137 through change in existing policies and applications; work with partner organizations to conduct legal analysis to inform advocacy efforts, spearheaded by NMDT, to eliminate loopholes that exist in the current SB 137;
• Support collaborative partners in advocating for legislation that will remove statutory barriers to occupational and professional licensing as well as engage in advocacy efforts to determine how to remove immigration and citizenship barriers to commercial licenses;
• Follow case management documentations protocols in compliance with best practices/legal ethical standards and ensure programmatic compliance with grant requirements, allocations, and reporting;
• Maintain accurate time and attendance reports and submit reports on timely basis and with accuracy.

Qualifications

• Law degree and admission to the bar of any state in the U.S., preferably New Mexico.
• Experience appearing before New Mexico civil courts and/or practicing in relevant areas of law, including unpaid wage claims, business association, federal and state tax, public benefits, employment discrimination, and evictions are a plus.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NMILC’s mission, vision and values, which can be found at www.nmilc.org/our-mission;
• Prior experience with economic justice advocacy preferred;
• Prior experience managing high volume case load preferred;
• Bilingual in Spanish and English;
• Excellent written, analytical, oral, organizational, and time management skills;
• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, immigrant rights, social justice issues, and working with survivors of crimes;
• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally competent legal assistance to crime survivors;
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills;
• Team player; the ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services.

Environment

NMILC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome people from a diverse set of experiences. NMILC is a progressive organization and applicants are expected to collaborate in an inclusive and diverse environment. We are a group of highly dedicated and motivated individuals seeking transformative change for our state and welcome anyone who is interested in being part of our team.

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, NMILC’s staff is largely working remotely. This position is usually based out of our Albuquerque office. If the successful candidate is hired while NMILC’s staff is still remote, we will work with that candidate to ensure that they have the tools, equipment, and digital onboarding to be successfully integrated into our remote work environment. After the Pandemic, the attorney will be expected to travel frequently to rural partner organizations

Salary and Benefits

Competitive non-profit salary. Excellent benefits provided, including full health insurance coverage, dental and vision, and generous paid holidays, vacation and sick leave.

To Apply

Please submit your: a) resume; and b) cover letter describing how your lived or work experience would make you a good fit for this role to jobs@nmilc.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

LUM has an opening for Program Director overseeing immigration assistance services & programs including the LUM Immigration Clinic.

Administrative Duties

• Oversee all aspects of the LUM Immigration Clinic (services, case management, volunteers, fundraising, evaluation)
• Supervise and mentor assistant program director
• Supervise and provide support to LUM Immigration Clinic volunteers (accredited representatives, attorneys, translators, administrative support, and fundraiser committee members)
• Recruit volunteer accredited representatives, attorneys, translators, administrative support, and fundraiser committee members.
• Ensure that all staff (including volunteers) follow appropriate protocols for opening and closing cases
• Develop and maintain core competencies / understanding of immigration
• Coordinate training and immigration clinic volunteer/paid staff development; Refine and strengthen case management policies, procedures and forms to improve efficiency as well as ensure the quality of services and the integrity of the program.
• Coordinate volunteer schedules Provide support to paid and volunteer staff
  • by arranging translators, transportation, and other logistical support
  • maintaining accredited representative certification or law license
  • keeping up with program changes and announcements and ensuring that the information is transferred to volunteer staff
  • conferring with reputable partners and peer organizations
  • participating in continuing education opportunities when possible
  Planning and hosting events to recognize and thank volunteers
• Provide direction and administrative support to ensure that volunteers wishing to become accredited representatives meet U.S. Department of Justice education and practical training requirements as well as provide direction/support to accredited representatives needing to renew their accreditation.
• Manage the renewal of the LUM Immigration Clinic’s U.S. Department of Justice recognition

Immigration Services

• Screen clients regarding their eligibility for immigration benefits, which includes submitting FOIA requests to USCIS, CBP, and ICE, as well as federal and state background checks
• Assess whether a client is admissible to the U.S.
• Counsel clients regarding eligibility for immigration benefits
• Assist clients with completing their applications for immigration benefits as well as assembling supporting documents
• Advocate for due process on behalf of clients and their cases
• Ensure that clients are knowledgeable regarding the status of their case as well as expected timelines for processing
• Help clients identify available immigration benefits and appropriate resources, which may include making referrals when a case is outside the scope, expertise, and/or capacity of the LUM Immigration Clinic

Community Outreach and Education

• Clarify federal regulations and procedures for clients and the general public
• Coordinate the LUM/Ayuda Aprende Spanish Conversation Class
• Provide support to the LUM/LARA Citizenship Class
• Clarify federal regulations and procedures for clients and the general public
• Coordinate the LUM/Ayuda Aprende Spanish Conversation Class
• Provide support to the LUM/LARA Citizenship Class

Fundraising

• Oversee planning and execution of fundraiser(s) and other development activities

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (Master’s degree preferred)
• Experience with immigration law (Accredited Representative preferred)
• Strong moral commitment to assisting low income immigrant families and “welcoming the stranger”
• Ability to work cooperatively with diverse people and groups
• Able to travel when needed as required by job duties
• Experience in program administration
• Experience in volunteer recruitment and coordination
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience with Social Media for purposes other than transmitting personal information
• Marketing and Computer Graphic skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Positive attitude
• Able to find balance while maintaining a strong worth ethic

Benefits and Salary

• Job Status: Full Time, Salaried
• Starting Salary: $38,000-45,000, depending on credentials/experience
• Benefits: $10,000-15,000 (calculated based on salary)
• Terms of Employment: As specified in the LUM Personnel Policies
• Usual schedule: Flexible, 37.5 hours per week

If interested—please Email, Mail or Drop-off a resume with cover letter to Wes Tillett, LUM Executive Director (careers@lumserve.org | 420 N 4th Street, Lafayette, IN 47901). Resumes will be reviewed beginning February 7, 2021.