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Citizenship Interview Volunteer Attorney

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Position Description

Due to the high number of interviews being scheduled each year, IIMN is seeking attorney volunteers to assist in attending U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services interviews with clients seeking to obtain U.S. citizenship.

Each year the International Institute of Minnesota (IIMN) assists over 1,000 Minnesota residents to apply for U.S. citizenship.  Citizenship not only gives voting power, but it also boosts individual income and increases tax revenues for our community, in addition to countless other benefits. IIMN strives to meet the growing need for immigration and citizenship assistance in Minnesota.

In 2022, IIMN branched into two different tracks of citizenship representation—standard and complex. Complex representation involves providing legal advice and support around issues such as criminal history, travel history, misrepresentation or fraud, and other complex immigration matters. One benefit to IIMN’s Complex Representation is attorney accompaniment to the citizenship interview.

Estimated hours/week:
Approx. 5-7 hours per case and 3-5 interviews in a 6-month period

Worksite: International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Ave Saint Paul MN 55018

Please provide your resume and a short statement of interest to Rachel Kennedy, [email protected].

 

Apply Now

More Information

  • Attend a training session on general U.S. immigration law, the citizenship application (Form N-400) process, and a brief overview of common complex issues.
  • Meet with IIMN attorney to discuss case specifics and outline potential issues that may arise during the citizenship interview.
  • Attend a meeting with the client and IIMN attorney to prepare for the citizenship interview.
  • Attend the USCIS citizenship interview with the client in downtown Minneapolis (clients are responsible for their own transportation).
  • Provide a post-interview debrief with IIMN attorney.

  • Must have an active attorney license and be in good standing
  • A strong interest in learning about immigrant and refugee communities
  • Experience working with immigrants and/or limited English speakers
  • Comfort appearing in front of decision-makers, such as USCIS officers
  • Experience with immigration law is a bonus, but not required
  • Second language speakers encouraged to volunteer

Commit to approx. 3-5 interviews in a 6-month period. Time commitment per case is approx. 5-7 hours.

  • Under this volunteer position, IIMN staff will assign each case to the volunteer. The volunteer should not represent clients outside the scope of the immigration services provided at IIMN.
  • There is currently no office space available for this position, though space will be provided for training and interview preparation.
  • IIMN maintains malpractice insurance for a limited number of volunteer lawyers, including primary coverage for retired lawyers, within our immigration services program.

Contact Us

Call or email us if you have questions about volunteering.

Kaela Schweisthal
Volunteer and Community Partnerships Manager
(651) 377-8663

Email Kaela