LEGAL ASSISTANT (USBA)

THE ORGANIZATION

Al Otro Lado is a binational legal services and immigrant rights organization serving immigrants, asylum seekers and deported persons in Southern California, Tijuana, México, and beyond. We approach cases using a multidisciplinary, client-centered, harm reduction-based lens, and engage in zealous individual representation, medical-legal partnerships, human rights monitoring and impact litigation to protect the rights of individual immigrants and challenge systemic practices that violate the human rights of immigrant communities. We leverage vital partnerships with community-based organizations and academic institutions, and engage thousands of volunteers to maximize our impact and help build a broad-based immigrant justice movement.

For more information about our organization, please visit us on our website at: alotrolado.org/ or visit us on social media: Instagram and Twitter: @alotrolado_org; Facebook: Al Otro Lado.

LEGAL ASSISTANT (USBA)

The U.S. Based Advocacy team provides holistic, full-scale representation to particularly vulnerable immigrants, including unaccompanied children, members of the LGBTQA+ community, Indigenous migrants, Black migrants, torture survivors, survivors of human trafficking, clients with disabiltiies/medical vulnerabilities, and clients whose cases present family unity concerns. Our holistic representation strategy includes identifying a client’s needs, goals, and challenges, and seeking to achieve their best immigration outcomes, not only through legal services but also by connecting individuals with support to overcome the non-legal obstacles they face in

their cases.

The Unaccompanied Children Program (UCP) is a program funded by federal and state funding, and allows for the provision of direct legal services to children designated unaccompanied children, along with immigrant youth that were not designated unaccompanied children. Typical legal services provided, include pursuit of Special Immigrant Juvenile Status in state court and with USCIS, along with affirmative asylum and other humanitarian reliefs.

The Removal Defense program (RD) is a program funded by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to provide legal representation to detained and nondetained immigrants with active removal proceedings. The USBA Legal Assistant will work as part of Al Otro Lado’s U.S. Based Advocacy team and will be based out of our Los Angeles office.

The USBA Legal Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the UCP Managing Attorney in collaboration with colleagues and supervisors in the Los Angeles and San Diego offices.

JOB DUTIES

Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assist attorneys/accredited representatives with providing direct legal services;
• Conduct in person meetings with detained and nondetained noncitizens;
• Serve as point of contact for RD and UCP clients when attorney/accredited representative is not available;
• Conduct intake interviews with new RD or UCP clients and gather information necessary for immigration relief screenings;
• Complete immigration forms with a high level of factual accuracy and attention to detail;
• Assist in the administrative and substantive preparation of client application packages for bond, relief from removal, and immigration benefits;
• Consistently and accurately enter all client and case development information into our internal case management system;
• Fill out USCIS forms, creating filings, word processing, creating spreadsheets, filing and case organization;
• Conduct country conditions, legal, and factual research as directed by attorneys/accredited representatives;
• Provide interpretation, translation of documents and communication assistance for USBA clients as needed;
• Accurately and timely submit all case data in order to comply with contractual obligations;
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission of the organization.

QUALIFICATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to reliably commute to the Los Angeles office and local immigration offices, as needed.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and use of a reliable vehicle, or ability to rent a vehicle
• Fluency in Spanish and English, including the ability to communicate professionally and in writing in both languages
• College degree required
• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Demonstrated organizational skills
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to multitask and juggle numerous projects and tasks
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Adobe Pro, and Excel
• Willingness to become proficient in Al Otro Lado’s database management system
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information
• Respectful of colleagues in a diverse workplace environment

All Al Otro Lado staff working directly with clients in a detained setting must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, including with recommended boosters, and must follow strict COVID protocol while providing services, including by using a high-quality mask in the detention facility and by testing for COVID if experiencing any symptoms.

Please note, this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. The ideal candidate will be flexible, adaptive, and enthusiastic about responding to needs as they arise.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a full-time, non-exempt position with an hourly rate of $30.00. This role is based out of the Los Angeles office. Some remote work will be allowed.

Al Otro Lado is piloting a 36-hour work week, with a half-day (4 hours) on Fridays. Payroll adjustments are made, as needed, to ensure that all staff receive the same wages as in a 40-hour work week.

This position requires commuting, as needed, in the Southern California area. Mileage and other travel expense reimbursement will be provided.

Al Otro Lado’s comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Health benefits: Al Otro Lado contributes up to 90% of employee medical & up to 70% of employee dental and vision premiums. Insurance coverage is effective on the 1st of the month following the employee's date of hire.
• Employer Sponsored Insurances: Employer-sponsored Group Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability and Life/ AD&D coverage.
• Optional Coverages: Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Insurance
• Paid Time Off: Up to three weeks of accrued paid time off per year.
• Paid Holidays: Holidays observed & 2 weeks paid winter break.
• Sabbatical Leave: Employees are eligible for paid Sabbatical Leave after 5 years of full-time employment.
• Paid Parental Leave: Supplemental wage integration following the birth of an employee’s child or the placement of a child with an employee in connection with adoption or foster care.
• 403(B): Retirement plan investment opportunities to include Pre-tax or ROTH contributions
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Employer sponsored plan offering mental health support, legal and financial services

Bilingual in English and Spanish