Afghan Legal Representation Project Immigration Attorney

IILA has a proud heritage in defending the rights of immigrants and immigration legal services have been part of our mission since our founding in 1914. We have participated in virtually every refugee and immigration program of the modern era, including the Silva Letter, Cuban Adjustment, NACARA, dreamers/DACA, and numerous other cases. In 2016, we were proud to join in an Amicus brief filing in the important and successful case of Santos M. regarding SIJS issues in California Courts.

IILA’s Refugee Resettlement Program is working hard to resettle hundreds of Afghans who arrived between October 2021 and February 2022 in Los Angeles County and surrounding counties. The Afghan Legal Representation Project (ALRP) is a six-month minimum project which will assist Afghan clients to apply for asylum, TPS, complete SIV applications that may be at different stages of the process or apply for other kinds of relief.  We are hiring two ALRP Immigration Attorneys for a six-month minimum temporary contract, with the possibility of extending the contract for up to a year. The ALRP Immigration Attorneys will work under the supervision of the Directing Attorney and the ALRP Manager and will work with a team of pro bono attorneys, as well as collaborate with IILA’s tight-knit, dynamic, hardworking, passionate and committed Immigration Legal Services team and the Refugee Resettlement Case Managers. The right candidate will value collaboration and will also have the ability to work independently, as s/he will be working largely remotely.

The ALRP Immigration Attorneys will provide immigration legal representation for Afghan clients in a high-volume setting, which includes asylum, TPS, completion of SIV cases, adjustments of status, special immigrant juvenile status, family petitions and other related services. Responsibilities include preparing asylum applications and appearing at asylum hearings at the USCIS Asylum Office in Tustin, CA, as well as representing clients for all available remedies before USCIS and/or the immigration court and coordinating with staff and pro bono attorneys. The ALRP Immigration Attorneys may also supervise paralegals and clerical staff.

Essential Functions of the Job:

Ø Provide legal representation to IILA’s Afghan clients.

Ø Provide in-person/remote consultation for clients including asylum, TPS, and completion of SIV applications, and any other applicable relief.

Ø Prepare asylum applications and appear with clients at asylum interviews before USCIS at the Asylum Office in Tustin, CA.

Ø Prepare clients for their asylum interviews through mock interviews and practice sessions as needed.

Ø Prepare and submit TPS applications as well as complete SIV applications and family petitions.

Ø Under supervision of the Directing Attorney, s/he may supervise other clerical staff as assigned.

Ø Prepare and file supporting documentation for asylum and court cases, including FOIA requests.

Ø Maintain client databases, case notes, and files for caseload as determined with the Directing Attorney.

Ø Keep accurate records and maintain confidentiality.

Ø Perform other duties assigned.