Business initiative promotes integration and economic development
Immigration legal service providers play a significant role in promoting immigrant integration in the community. Through their work, legal service providers utilize their partnerships and relationships with community members to create a space that is safe, supportive and inclusive. For newcomers, receiving immigration legal services is an essential step on the integration journey.
Over the last 25 years, the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota, or ILCM, has provided services and support to newcomers using three approaches that allow the CLINIC affiliate to advocate for policy changes and to educate the newcomers and the community while providing direct legal immigration services. In 2016, after receiving a donation from the Legal Services Advisory Committee’s Bank of America, ILCM launched the Austin Area Minority Business Project, a unique, multi-year project that supports immigrant and minority business owners. In partnership with three local nonprofits and in cooperation with city officials, business owners have access to a holistic approach of economic development legal services, technical legal support and education, immigration legal services, and holistic evaluation and outcome analysis at no cost to them.
“It’s unique that these services [from the Austin project] are being provided in partnership with legal services but it all comes together,” said Sara Karki, staff attorney at ILCM. Entrepreneurs work closely with pro-bono attorneys to review business leases, assist with filing business permits, license applications and articles of incorporation agreements, and receive evaluations on opportunities to remain competitive in the market. Elected leaders and city offices are supportive of the project and seek ways to highlight new businesses, such as a visit from the mayor for a haircut at a refugee-owned barbershop or through educational workshops with state agency presenters.
The Austin Area Minority Business Project has been a great success in the community. In addition to newcomers becoming business owners, many have been able to become homeowners as well. “It’s a great feeling to see refugees purchasing homes, especially after having to flee their homes or live in camps for years,” said Karki. The project has inspired immigrants to start the journey of launching their own business while establishing and strengthening relationships among community members. Through business tours, community members have a chance to meet immigrant business owners and try foods that are different or new to them while learning about the businesses.
The Austin Area Minority Business Project is just one of many initiatives that ILCM is engaging in to promote integration in the community. For the last five years, ILCM has co-sponsored Taste of the Nations, a community event that brings everyone in Austin, Minn., together to share food and cultures and an opportunity to mingle with one another. “I see more people taking an interest [in promoting integration] and we really appreciate the support from elected officials and local leaders,” said Karki. Five years ago, the Austin City Council unanimously approved joining Welcoming America’s network, making Austin the second city in Minnesota to join. ILCM —along with the city’s Human Rights Commission and other local nonprofits and community members — was able to assist in implementing Austin’s strategic welcoming plan, which aims to “empower multicultural leadership and increase connections between communities”, according to the plan. Moreover, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz proclaimed Oct. 26, 2020 as Immigrant Integration Day, highlighting the many contributions immigrant communities have made to the state and its commitment to welcoming and embracing immigrant communities.
CLINIC applauds ILCM and its partnerships to promote integration and uplift immigrant business owners. Share with us your organization’s integration efforts to be featured as next month’s CLINIC affiliate highlight!
Coordinator of Pro Bono Attorneys - Tulsa
Position Description:
This full-time, benefited position is responsible for recruiting, training, coordinating, and facilitating the work of Pro Bono Attorneys who serve eligible CCEOK clients. This position will prepare cases for submission and represent clients before the United States Citizenship and Immigrations Services (USCIS), Department of State, Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and Board of Immigration Appeals.
As a ministerial representative of CCEOK it is expected that both professional and social behavior be aligned with the ethical and moral standards of the Catholic Church.
Tasks:
- Pray daily for the needs of the poor; opportunities include personal prayer, daily Mass, and/or adoration
- Primarily responsible for the coordination of and all administrative tasks related to the program's Pro Bono Attorney Project. Responsibilities include recruitment, training and mentoring of pro bono volunteer attorneys.
- Develop and implement systems for tracking and mentoring cases
- Responsible for assigning work to Pro Bono Attorneys and ensuring the work is performed in an efficient, prompt, professional and accurate manner and provides guidance, when necessary
- Track and monitor volunteer-related CCEOK activities
- Responsible for collecting, updating and submitting routine and ad-hoc reports as necessary
- Function as a Staff Attorney and represent CCEOK clients in court as well as at various regulatory and other legal forums
- Manage a caseload under the supervision of the Managing Attorney (15% of responsibilities)
- Provide direct representation to clients in the area of asylum law and coordinate all aspects of the client’s case, including client communication, relevant research, drafting personal statements, preparing immigration forms, writing briefs, drafting court motions and orders, appearing with clients at USCIS
- interviews and court hearings, and advocacy with law enforcement and other agencies
- Interview and screen clients to assess eligibility for Pro Bono services, prepare applications, petitions, motions and supporting documentation for submission to USCIS, EOIR, BIA and federal court
- Responsible for case management database maintenance, documentation and record keeping of client cases and other reporting requirements
- Comply with agency, departmental and accreditation guidelines
- Work cooperatively with other agency staff, referral sources and community resources to obtain and coordinate services for clients
- Other duties as assigned
- Comply with policies and procedures that creates a safe and secure environment, aligned with the standards of the Child and Youth Protection Charter
Education and Experience Requirements:
- Juris Doctorate
- Admittance to the Bar of any state required, Oklahoma Bar preferred
- 3-5 years as a practicing immigration law attorney
- Minimum of 2 years experience with asylum cases
Skills:
- Preference for bilingual in Spanish and English (reading, writing, and speaking)
- Competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including interacting with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship
- Able to travel throughout Oklahoma and Texas to represent clients before EOIR and USCIS
- Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills
- Strong attention to detail and good problem-solving skills
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and responsibilities and meet deadlines
- Ability to use basic Microsoft Office programs and online database software
Attributes:
- Willingness to learn how to articulate Catholic teaching with a commitment to its application in the job function
To apply click here
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Tulsa, OK
United States
