Senior Paralegal, Immigration Impact Lab

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported.

Our Work Environment

We have a highly collaborative work environment. We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed legal and social services and a culture of professional growth and support for staff. Although aspects of our work are completed in smaller teams, we work towards integrated and client-focused services across the organization by embracing interconnectivity. We strive to create efficient systems that provide structure while actively fostering innovation and adaptability to advance our mission. 

The Immigration Impact Lab (“the Lab”) is Amica Center’s impact litigation shop. The Lab responds to the failings of the immigration system by strategically appealing cases, developing impact litigation, and launching advocacy efforts that have the potential to transform the system and establish new legal precedents for immigrants nationwide. 

Position Summary

A senior paralegal in the Lab focuses on (i) working with detained people and their attorneys throughout the course of federal court litigation and immigration court removal proceedings and bond hearing, including assisting with client communications, case preparation, filing mechanics, case maintenance, and USCIS filings, and (ii) supporting the program’s provision of services as a whole, including through intakes and administrative tasks such as database maintenance, pro bono attorney coordination, and reporting to funders. 

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Client Services:

• Supports attorneys representing detained and released clients before federal district courts and immigration courts in Maryland, Virginia, and remote locations (virtually), USCIS, and ICE. This includes representation in the following types of cases: habeas petitions, bond motions, class actions, and post-release client needs such as employment authorization applications and change of address forms. Support includes assistance in client intake and screening; scheduling calls with clients in detention; interviewing potential plaintiffs and declarants; developing client and witness declarations; drafting and preparing evidentiary and other court filings; submitting federal court filings on ECF; managing service of process; interpreting for attorney client communications; maintaining client files and court deadline tracking; updating clients on case developments; gathering evidence in support of and preparing for bond hearings; and input in case strategy.
• Completes intakes and provides follow up after intakes to evaluate eligibility for habeas petitions and relief from removal, including legal research, securing criminal records, and obtaining additional information from family and other community members.
• Conducts client intakes, meetings, and communications in jurisdictions where people are detained including Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Georgia, and other regions as needed . 
• Assists with the staffing of the detention hotline and oversight of volunteers for jail visits, the jail hotline, or translation/interpretation volunteer work, as needed. 
• Carries out administrative tasks, including database maintenance and reporting to funders. 
• Actively engages in Lab’s training and advocacy efforts, as needed.
• Interfaces with social services staff, where needed, in preparation and execution of post release and social services plans.

Organizational Services:

• Ensures the inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases in a timely fashion.
• Assists other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
• Takes part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and remote meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers.
• Engages with internal Amica Center committees and working groups to lend a voice to the growth and strategy of the organization.

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks. 

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Position Type

Full-time, Non-Exempt 

Reports To

Program Director, with a potential transition to supervision by a Managing or Senior Attorney 

Hiring Timeline

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. 

Salary [2]

$50,000 - $72,600

[2] In 2018 Amica Center implemented a compensation framework to be more straightforward, transparent, and provide assurance of internal equity. The compensation model we use is based on an individual's position and years of relevant work experience to avoid salary discrepancies and to reduce the risk of racial, gender, or other forms of bias affecting a candidate's salary. 

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required.

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV.

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave.

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement: To learn more about our anti-racism statement click here.

COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters.

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission.

Competencies Required:

Legal Proficiency

The employee demonstrates firm understanding of immigration litigation to allow for meaningful contribution to client-facing legal activities and thought leadership in discussion during client intake, follow-up, and casework with moderate supervision. The employee plays an active role in client relationships and can independently advance work on cases with attorney approval. 

The employee demonstrates understanding of legal information versus advice and educates others on this distinction. The employee is familiar with preparing client filings and can do so with limited attorney input.

Client and Programmatic Proficiency

 The employee skillfully and clearly presents legal and procedural concepts to detained individuals and clients with limited supervision, including working with clients and their families/support community throughout the course of a case. The employee demonstrates trauma-informed interviewing and rapport building skills. The employee adequately prioritizes time and resources. The employee contributes to the supervision and professional development of junior staff and interns. 

Administrative

 The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients and program reporting, are carried out without managerial intervention, including intake logging and case tracking, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc. 

Qualifications Required:

• At least two years of experience working as a paralegal or similar role involving experience with trauma-informed client support, immigration law, and detention; 
• Very high level of organization, timeliness with deadlines, and attention to detail; 
• Written and oral Spanish proficiency;
• Experience managing case systems and dockets; 
• Willingness to become a DOJ Accredited Representative, based on program needs;
• Dedication to immigrants’ rights;
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing priorities, strategies, and circumstances; and 
• It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must be willing to travel occasionally. However, qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Qualifications Preferred:

• Immigration law experience; 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word legal formatting (i.e. using table of contents and table of authorities functions for legal briefs) and Legal Bluebook cite-checking; and 
• Experience with routine USCIS applications (i.e. for work authorization)