Citizenship and Immigration Opportunity

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist immigration staff in helping refugees, asylees and other immigrants apply for adjustment of status (green cards), United States citizenship, family petitions, reunification applications, work permits, travel documents, DACA renewals and other immigration benefits:
• Assist with accurate completion of application forms for clients;
• Meet with clients to review their applications and documentation, obtain necessary client information, information from them, follow up with them in preparing their petitions;

• Notify clients via telephone or mailings about matters related to their applications;

• Assist clients with additional necessary procedures, such as requests for evidence and follow-up advocacy with USCIS or local or federal political / legislative offices;

• Help to strategize, plan and execute community outreach efforts related to immigration matters, including assistance with planning know-your-rights and citizenship workshops as well as other informational forums:

• Conduct outreach mailings;

• Assist immigration team with tracking, filing, mailing relevant documents, applications and notices;

• Maintain up-to-date client data in online immigration database;

• Other related duties as assigned by the Immigration Program Manager or Immigration Assistant.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Student will learn about immigration law and policy

1. Student will learn about refugee resettlement and refugee social services

1. Student will develop research and outreach skills

1. Student will learn how to interact with multi-cultural and limited English speaking clients

REQUIREMENTS:

JD candidate/law student preferred; will consider a college student

Fluency in Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Dari, or Ukrainian are strongly preferred

Familiar with the mission of IRC and willing to represent it appropriately

Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with refugees, asylees and other immigrants

Ability to work well with a culturally diverse staff

Prior experience in immigration a plus