Immigration Attorney

Thrive’s immigration legal program seeks to assist low-income and vulnerable community members across north-central and northeastern Pennsylvania. We are seeking a passionate and mission-driven Immigration Attorney with 2–10 years of experience to join our legal services team. The Immigration Attorney will provide high-quality, trauma-informed representation to clients in a variety of immigration matters, including asylum, family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, removal defense, and related proceedings before USCIS, EOIR, and federal courts where appropriate. This position reports to the Immigration Program Director.

Responsibilities

The following is a representation of typical responsibilities and is subject to change:

● Provide direct representation in affirmative and defensive immigration matters;

● Conduct client consultations, case assessments, and ongoing communication;

● Prepare and file applications, motions, briefs, and supporting documentation;

● Represent clients in hearings and interviews before EOIR and USCIS;

● Collaborate with accredited representatives, social service staff, and pro bono partners;

● Interact with clients through a trauma-informed approach and treat clients, co-workers, and community partners with dignity and compassion;

● Maintain organized case files and meet internal and external deadlines;

● Participate in community outreach, legal clinics, and educational events;

● Stay up to date on immigration law changes and best practices; and complete other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The Immigration Attorney will be thoroughly committed to Thrive International Programs, Inc.’s mission. Concrete, demonstrable experience and other qualifications include:

Necessary Qualifications:

Active bar admission to practice law in the United States (Applicant may be considered for the position if in the process of seeking admission);

● Ability to work effectively with people from diverse language and cultural backgrounds, to demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity, and to use a trauma-informed approach;

● Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in written and spoken English;

● Ability to be attentive to detail and confident to speak up when needed, especially to represent clients in USCIS interviews and/or in court;

● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to be flexible to meet changing needs and situations;

● Strong organization, time management, and stress management skills;

● Ability to use technology for client services and peer collaboration;

● Licensed to drive and ability to occasionally travel out of town for long days;

● Commitment to servant leadership and quality programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

● 2–10 years of relevant immigration law experience;

● Experience with detained representation or federal litigation;

● High intermediate (or greater) proficiency in Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Arabic, or Dari;

● 3 months or more experience extensively interacting in another language and/or culture;

● Prior work in a nonprofit or community-based environment.

Work Environment and Schedule

The following is typical, but subject to change:

● Work is mostly in-person at Thrive’s office in Williamsport with occasional remote work opportunities with supervisor pre-approval and some occasional travel for outreach appointments in Allentown, PA, as well as travel to other locations like Philadelphia, PA, and Newark, NJ.

● Work occasionally includes participating in Thrive’s non-legal community outreach in order to build relations with community members.

● Workspace includes a shared office and space at various community outreach locations.

● Work frequently involves time constraints and deadlines.

● This position includes access to legal technical assistance and resources, along with paid training opportunities, professional liability insurance/malpractice insurance, and payment of AILA non-profit membership dues for eligible staff.

Required: High Proficiency in English.

Preferred: High intermediate (or greater) proficiency in Spanish, French, Haitian Creole, Arabic, or Dari.