Immigration Attorney

About CCC:

Since 1923, Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC)has provided life-changing human services to vulnerable individuals and families throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. CCC offers quality and compassionate human services to all people, especially the most vulnerable, regardless of faith. We are passionate about the work we do in our communities, providing 31 critical services at 11 locations throughout Virginia.

SUMMARY: 

The Immigration Attorney will carry out all key contract activities related to legal services for unaccompanied children. The attorney will prepare cases for children in or recently released from ORR custody, up to age 18. Representation includes all immigration-related matters, such as state court proceedings for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), removal defense, appeals, Know Your Rights presentations, and legal screenings. Other legal assistance for unrepresented children may include legal referrals or referrals to supportive services (e.g., child advocates or social services); individual or group preparation for immigration court appearances; assistance with immigration-related custody or placement matters (such as release requests for children aging out of ORR custody); and support with filing immigration paperwork, including Change of Venue, Change of Address, employment authorization documents (EADs), or I-94 corrections. 

The position is based out of the Newport News office and requires frequent travel throughout Hampton Roads, Richmond, and to the Immigration Court (EOIR) in Arlington. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Coordinate all aspects of a minor’s case, including client communication, relevant research, drafting personal statements, preparing immigration forms, writing briefs, drafting court motions and orders, and advocacy with law enforcement and other agencies. 

• Conduct regular visits with children in ORR custody and maintain documentation of contact   

• Assist in the supervision of volunteers and student interns, solicit support from volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and others to assist with the provision of services when necessary. 

• Supervise the work of the legal fellow, ensuring the quality and ethical handling of their cases  

• Hold biweekly supervisory meetings with legal team to discuss cases and ensure high-quality service provision  

• Submit reports and invoices on time and with accuracy  

• Maintain organized case files using a combination of physical and digital file management strategies 

• Participate as needed in agency and program-wide data collection and strategic planning. 

• Participate in meetings with immigration legal service community-based organizations. 

• Participate on a periodic basis in naturalization workshops. 

• Ensure client fees are assessed and collected per retainer agreements.  

• Maintain client database and files and accordance with program/legal requirements and CCC guidelines.  

• Comply with all legal and ethical standards.  

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively to manage a substantial workload with deadline pressures.  

• Competence in communicating and interacting with others of diverse cultural, geographic, and economic backgrounds in a professional and compassionate manner, including interacting with individuals experiencing substantial levels of emotional, physical, financial, or other hardship.   

• Familiar with and/or committed to trauma-informed legal services 

• Represents the Agency in the community and workplace in a professional and ethical manner. 

• Demonstrates sensitivity to the service population’s cultural and socioeconomic characteristics.  

• Demonstrates strong interpersonal, decision-making, problem-solving, oral, and written skills. 

• Utilizes a basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Juris Doctor degree and admission to the VA Bar.   Maintain bar membership through continuing education. Minimum of one year of experience practicing family-based and/or humanitarian immigration law.  

The candidate must be: 

• Licensed and in good standing with the Virginia Bar; or 

• Accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice; or 

• A law graduate working under attorney supervision in accordance with requirements to appear before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). 

ADDTITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:  

• Because the contract requires Legal Service Providers (LSPs) to comply with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-25, staff must perform all contract-related work from within the United States. 

• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish is strongly preferred. 

• Candidates must be trained on relevant contract requirements, including local practice norms and stakeholder expectations. A background check, as required by ORR policy, must be completed prior to unsupervised direct service with children. 

Bilingual in English and Spanish strongly preferred. Spanish Immersion language courses, online courses, tutoring and other Spanish resources are available to improve the overall capacity of the program to serve Spanish speaking clients. 

Full-time Employee Benefits:

Retirement savings – After one year of employment, the agency contributes 4% of your plan year earnings into a savings account for you and will match dollar-for-dollar up to 4% of salary if an employee makes contributions to the plan. That’s an 8% annual contribution to your retirement savings!

PTO – earn 16 days off for vacation, sick, or personal time in your first year. This goes up to 22 days in your second year and keeps climbing every five years.

Holidays – Enjoy eleven paid holidays

Other paid leave at no cost to employees – bereavement, short-term disability, long-term disability, paid parental leave

Virginia Credit Union memberships

Employee Assistance program – Free services including five free confidential consultations with a mental health professional

Medical Insurance – a choice of 4 PPO plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.

Dental Insurance – a choice of two dental plans for employee, employee + spouse, employee + child(ren), or family coverage. A portion of premiums subsidized by the agency.

Vision Insurance

Life insurance – paid by agency with option to purchase additional coverage

Other insurance benefits – flexible spending accounts including dependent care, health savings account (for qualified HDHP participants), legal resources