Legal Assistant, Removal Defense

Job Summary & Position Rationale

The Removal Defense Legal Assistant works under the oversight of DOJ-accredited staff and attorneys to support community members by providing comprehensive immigration support in the Central Valley. As a team member on the removal defense team, their workload will primarily consist of removal defense cases, with some affirmative immigration work as assigned. Job duties will include providing information and referral services, conducting intakes, consultations, education, outreach, etc., related to various immigration legal processes.

The Education and Leadership Foundation provides low cost or free immigration services that include: Asylum/Withholding/CAT, Cancellation of Removal,  Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), Adjustment of Status, Consular Process, DACA Applications, Naturalization, Acquisition and Derivation of Citizenship, Legal Permanent Resident Renewals, Advance Parole, Parole in Place, U-VISA, VAWA, and other similar benefits. 

Duties/Responsibilities

1. Intake, Assessment, & Case Management– Conduct detailed intakes and legal screenings to determine eligibility for relief in removal proceedings and for affirmative immigration benefits, primarily focusing on removal defense matters as assigned.
2. Removal Defense Application Preparation & Court Support – Assist in preparing court filing, including applications, motions, declarations, evidence packets, and other immigration court submissions under the supervision of DOJ Accredited Representatives or Attorneys.
3. RFE, NOID, & FOIA Requests – Prepare legal documentation and other highly sensitive materials to support Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), FOIA requests, etc. 
4. Immigration Court, USCIS & Deadline Coordination – Monitor client court dates, filing deadlines, biometrics appointments, and USCIS requirements to ensure timely and compliant submissions.
5. Affirmative Application Preparation & Filing – Assist in preparing and submitting applications such as Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, DACA, Naturalization, TPS, U-Visas, VAWA, and LPR Renewals.
6. Case Tracking, Documentation & Legal File Management – Maintain highly organized physical and electronic case files, update case management systems, and ensure complete documentation for court and agency review.
7. Client Communication & Evidence Follow-Up – Maintain ongoing communication with clients to gather supporting documentation, explain case progress, and prepare them for hearings, interviews, and appointments.
8. Legal Research & Case Preparation Support – Conduct legal and country-condition research and assist representatives/attorneys with declarations, exhibits, and case theory development.
9. Legal Mail, Correspondence & Database, and Admin Support – Provide administrative support with case organization, documentation, mail, etc. Review and route immigration court notices and USCIS correspondence, ensuring all case updates are accurately reflected in client databases. 
10. Workshops, Legal Clinics & Community Education – Support removal defense legal clinics, group processing workshops, and know-your-rights presentations for community members.
11. Translation & Document Review (Spanish/English) – Translate client documents, declarations, and supporting evidence between Spanish and English as needed.
12. Time, Workflow & Deadline Management – Prioritize urgent court matters while managing a high-volume caseload with accuracy and efficiency.
13. Public Engagement & ELF Representation – Represent ELF at community events, advocacy efforts, and stakeholder meetings related to immigrant legal services.
14. Ethical & Professional Responsibility – Uphold DOJ accreditation standards, client confidentiality, and professional ethics in all casework.
15. Process Improvement & Best Practices Development – Identify and implement improvements to case workflows, documentation practices, and client service systems.
16. Professional Growth & DOJ Accreditation – Pursue Department of Justice (DOJ) Accreditation as soon as reasonably possible while in the role, utilizing available organizational training and support to complete the process.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Education – Completed or currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to community service or legal assistance.
• Experience – 2-3 years of immigration law experience (paid or unpaid) with knowledge of removal defense immigration processes.
• Language Skills – 
  • Bilingual & Biliterate in English and Spanish, with strong verbal and written communication.
  • Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business publications, professional journals, technical procedures, and government regulations. Ability to draft legal briefs, reports, business correspondence, and procedural manuals. Must be able to clearly present information and respond to questions from managers, clients, and the general public.
• Reasoning Ability - Ability to solve practical problems and manage a variety of concrete variables in situations with limited standardization. Ability to interpret and follow instructions provided in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule formats.
• Client Interaction – Experience working with diverse communities, providing legal assistance, case management, or customer service.
• Technical Skills – Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google & Mac environments, and case management systems.
• Transportation – Valid CA driver’s license, personal vehicle insurance, insurability under company insurance policy, and reliable transportation for occasional work-related travel.

Work Environment, Conditions & Requirements:

• Work generally takes place within an office environment. Air quality is good, with typically adequate lighting at desks/workstations.  Occasionally, they will be expected to perform work duties in outdoor spaces during events or services related to outreach, walk-ins, high-demand service days, etc. 
• Noise conditions are moderate and limited to self and others on telephone calls and general interactions with coworkers and the public. 
• When performing most job duties, they will work in a private or shared office space with a designated workspace
• At times, they may be required to provide coverage or support in shared working environments. 
• Works independently on day-to-day tasks and works collaboratively alongside other staff, volunteers, contractors, or interns as needed. 
• Travel is required for courthouse filings, training, and outreach events
• Typical scheduled work hours will be between 8:30AM-5 PM with a 1 hour unpaid lunch, Adjusted schedule may be required to include evenings and weekends on an occasional basis.

Physical Requirements 

• able to hear staff on the phone and those served in person, and speak clearly to communicate information to patients and staff.
• able to read memos, computer screens, personnel forms, and clinical and administrative documents.
• able to use fingers and hands to type on a keyboard or phone, print or scan documents, etc. 
• able to sit or stand at a desk for extended periods