Immigration Staff Attorney

Make the Road New York (MRNY) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and justice through organizing, policy innovation, transformative education, and survival services. Make the Road New York operates community centers in Bushwick, Brooklyn; Jackson Heights, Queens; Port Richmond, Staten Island; Brentwood, Long Island and White Plains, Westchester County. With a membership of over 25,000, MRNY tackles the critical issues facing our communities, including workplace justice, tenants’ rights, immigrant and civil rights, public education, health care access, policing, and TGNCIQ justice. (TGNCIQ = transgender, gender non-conforming, intersex and queer)

MRNY is a multi-service organization.  Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above -- implement strategies to combat shared problems, and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Spanish-language literacy, computer literacy, citizenship preparation, and in-school and after-school youth programs. Our health department offers facilitated enrollment into health insurance programs and SNAP benefits, a community health worker home visit program, nutrition education and emergency food pantries, health care navigation, and more. We have a robust legal program that offers direct representation across a spectrum of practice areas, including employment law, immigration law, housing and benefits, and TGNCIQ civil rights; we also take on impact litigation as a strategy for achieving broad change. 

Legal and Support Services at Make the Road New York:

The Department of Legal and Support Services at MRNY works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement strategies (including strategic litigation) that support our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing legal and support services to meet the immediate needs of the community members who MRNY serves. The Department currently employs approximately 50 attorneys and advocates. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work. 

Current Opening:

We are hiring a Staff Attorney to join our dynamic immigration team. The attorney will work with our raid’s response team, which provides representation and support to community members with final orders of removal in close collaboration with our immigration organizers, while also fully integrating into our team’s immigration practice. Please note that Make the Road is currently operating under a hybrid model where staff are required to be in the office a minimum of two days per week. This policy is subject to change.  and the position will be based primarily in our Queens office in Jackson Heights, with possible work from our Bushwick and other offices.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Providing individualized assistance and representation to clients detained by ICE or at imminent risk of ICE detention and who have orders of removal in (1) advice and counsel regarding legal options, based on interviews, document review, research and legal analysis, and (2) full representation in a broad range of applications and requests including preparation for Credible or Reasonable Fear Interviews; motions to reopen before the Immigration Court or Board of Immigration Appeals; motions to vacate prior orders by ICE or CBP; collateral or affirmative applications such as I130, I212, and I601A applications; bond hearings and custody advocacy with ICE; and Petitions for Review and habeas litigation in federal court.
• Contribute to the work of our general immigration practice through sharing knowledge and collaboration.
• Assisting in community education efforts, including through the creation of written materials, KYR presentations, and popular education workshops.
• Supporting MRNY members and organizing campaigns through strategic litigation, legislative advocacy, research, media work, and action support.
• Participating in team and department meetings; meetings with external partners; and assisting with tracking and highlighting cases as necessary for development and grant reporting.
• Continuous learning regarding movement lawyering (theory and application) as well as other critical concepts that underscore our organizational approach to building power, such as racialized capitalism.  

QUALIFICATIONS

• Eligible to work in the US 
• Required to be fully vaccinated with and FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine prior first day of employment
• At least 2 years of immigration legal practice experience. Any applicant who has been practicing in the field for at least five years post-Juris Doctor will be considered for the role of “Senior Staff Attorney.”
• Admission (or eligibility for admission) to practice law in New York State or the possibility of waiving into the state.
• Spanish language proficiency.  
• Experience with populations that make up major portions of Make the Road’s membership – such as documented and undocumented immigrants, individuals facing domestic violence, members of TGNCIQ communities, those who have experienced the criminal legal system, and youth.

Preferences: 

• Self-starter with strong organizational skills and strong attention to detail

• Be highly ethical, professional, and team oriented with a passion for excellence and eagerness to help the department meet our goals.

• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and complete assignments under strict deadlines with minimal supervision in a fast paced environment.

• Ability to work under pressure required.

• Strong legal writing and research skills.

• Flexible work schedule, some evenings or weekends required

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• High level of accountability and initiative; needs to be a self-starter and eager to do team work to support the organization as a whole

Relevant lived experience, including, but not limited to, having been a member of a low-income, immigrant community

Salary and Benefits:

Starting salary is calculated on a step scale based on years of experience. Generous package of vacation, personal and sick days. Excellent health and dental coverage and family leave policies. The salary range for this position will be from $76,954 to $93,931.90

To Apply:

Please apply with a cover letter, resume, and writing sample in Make the Road New York's Career Center.

Current employees interested in applying will be directed to their ADP Account. Please login and navigate to Myself > Career Center to continue applying.    

Applications accepted until position is filled.   

MRNY is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse staff. Women, TGNCIQ people, people with disabilities, and BIPOC strongly encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.