Immigration Services Attorney
About This Position
The International Institute of Minnesota is seeking a full-time immigration attorney to join our growing Immigration Services Team. The Institute is committed to providing accessible, low-cost legal services for immigrants and refugees, particularly in complex and challenging immigration cases. Approximately 70% of Institute households earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level and look to the Institute for trustworthy and accessible legal services at a nominal fee. To advance this objective, we are expanding our legal team by hiring an additional Immigration Services Attorney. This role will help ensure that individuals facing difficult immigration issues receive high-quality, affordable representation, and support. The immigration attorney will provide immigration consultations, represent clients in complex naturalization cases, derivation of citizenship applications, as well as other immigration benefits. The immigration attorney will also share expertise with program staff, volunteers, interns, and community to aid in program development.
DEPARTMENT: Immigration Services
REPORTS TO: Director of Immigration Services
Salary range: $80,000-$82,000
FLSA Status: 1.0 FTE
Closing Date: Open until filled
Former refugees, New Americans and people of color are highly encouraged to apply.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Legal Services:
- Provide legal representation, counsel, and case management to individuals seeking immigration benefits from USCIS, primarily related to citizenship and derivation of citizenship, while also handling other types of immigration cases as needed and conducting ‘Know Your Rights’ presentations
- Provide legal advocacy and manage cases for clients from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, ensuring services are delivered in an inclusive, respectful, and client-centered manner
- Perform factual and legal research related to caseload and regularly monitor developments in immigration law and procedure
- Make appropriate referrals, as necessary, for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program and for other social service needs
- Complete data entry in program databases and produce related reports to guide program development and provide data for funding opportunities
Immigration Services Program Development:
- Develop relationships with organizing partners and explore collaborative opportunities with potential allies, especially law schools and other immigration service providers
- Train, supervise, and work alongside volunteers and interns
- Support and mentor Accredited Representatives on staff to help them develop and expand their legal skills and expertise
- Attend monthly immigration services program meetings and all-staff meetings
- Work collaboratively with immigration services staff, other teams, and community partners to ensure coordinated, client-centered support
- Conduct community presentations and outreach to promote and educate the public on IIMN legal services and other issues affecting the immigrant community
- Respond to media inquiries and legislative inquires, when appropriate
- Assist in the development and expansion of the Immigration Services program and IIMN mission
- Other duties as assigned
Experience and Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate required, with a preference for 2 years of demonstrated experience practicing immigration law.
- Must be licensed to practice law
- Ability to work collaboratively and enthusiastically with Accredited Representatives on staff as well as interns and volunteers
- Fluent in English, both written and oral
- Demonstrated skills in legal research and writing, complex legal analysis, interviewing and fact investigation, and interpersonal communication
- Awareness of and responsiveness to the legal needs of individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds and varying socioeconomic circumstances.
- Ability to stay organized and manage a high-volume workload while working under strict deadlines within a fast-paced environment
- Must be a proactive, self-starter with a solution-oriented mindset, and a willingness to take initiative
- Preference given to candidates with proficiency in one or more of the following languages: Amharic, Arabic, Karen, Oromo, Somali, or Spanish
Additional Requirements
International Institute of Minnesota values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBT individuals, New Americans apply. The Institute is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, or any protected category prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.
- Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity.
- Physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job duties.
- Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.
About Us
The International Institute of Minnesota is a dynamic organization that provides services to maximize the talents and opportunities New Americans bring to our state. The Institute assists low income New Americans in their transition to a new homeland by providing comprehensive services for successful integration. The Institute serves more than 4,000 New Americans annually with new arrival social services to employment placement and advancement through to U.S. Citizenship attainment. Programs are divided into three primary areas: Refugee Services, Education and Employment Training Services, and Immigration Services. The Institute also provides advocacy for policy reforms and supports systems change that improve opportunities for New Americans to move their lives forward.
Contact Us
Please call or email us if you have a question or need help with your employment application.
Dana Onato-Pannkuk
Human Resources Generalist
(651) 377-8614
donato-pannkuk@iimn.org
Job Application: Immigration Services Attorney
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