TRP seeks a passionate and collaborative paralegal to work on removal cases, both detained and non-detained, in TRP’s Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic. The paralegal will support removal team staff attorneys and Full DOJ accredited representatives on removal cases. Support includes but is not limited to: assistance managing the docket, preparing forms, motions, and evidence, filing, and working with clients and families to gather information, evidence and supporting documentation.
Position Title: Paralegal, Removal – Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic
Supervisory Relationship: Managing Attorney – Removal Defense, Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic
Work Location: Office: 1805 S. Ashland Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60608
Organization General Description:
The Resurrection Project (TRP) builds trusting relationships to educate and propel individuals, immigrants, and families to achieve their social and economic aspirations, stable homes, and equitable participation in their community. TRP is a leading provider of affordable housing, financial education, and immigration services on Chicago’s Southwest side.
During the past three decades, TRP has worked to improve the lives of individuals and families by creating wealth, building assets, and engaging residents to be catalysts for change. Rooted in the Pilsen community, TRP’s impact now extends across the City of Chicago and through the State of Illinois; we are making steady progress towards leveraging and preserving more than $1 billion in community wealth.
General Job Description
TRP seeks a passionate and collaborative paralegal to work on removal cases, both detained and non-detained, in TRP’s Immigrant Justice Legal Clinic. The paralegal will support removal team staff attorneys and Full DOJ accredited representatives on removal cases. Support includes but is not limited to: assistance managing the docket, preparing forms, motions, and evidence, filing, and working with clients and families to gather information, evidence and supporting documentation.
Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities
Direct Services, Removal Case Management, and Data Collection Responsibilities:
- Provide professional and courteous service to clients and potential clients including answering and returning phone calls and emailscase preparation, and case follow-up
- Work with removal team legal representatives to prepare forms and evidentiary packets for detained and non-detained docket clients including filings for USCIS, EOIR, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and federal court
- Schedule and conduct calls with detained clients at ICE detention facilities throughout the country where TRP clients are detained
- Assist with supporting documents collection, including but not limited to: from police departments, sheriff's departments, family members, and treatment facilities
- Work with attorneys/DOJs and support services coordinator to develop release plans, recommend families for support services assistance, or connect families to bond fund assistance when appropriate
- Maintain comprehensive up-to-date notes of client contact, indicating date, subject matter, and resolution in the client file, per TRP’s Immigration Legal Services Program procedures, and notify client of all activity regarding their case in a timely manner
- Attend and participate in required educational programs and staff meetings
- Perform other duties as assigned
Essential Qualifications and Skills:
- Minimum of 2-3 years of experience as an immigration paralegal, handling primarily removal/deportation defense cases
- Experience working with both detained and non-detained clients
- Experience working with detained clients strongly preferred
- Ability to assist attorneys with management of court docket with limited supervision
- Familiarity with filing requirements for EOIR, BIA, and USCIS
- Familiarity with filing FOIAs – USCIS, DOJ, DOS, CBP, OBIM, FBI, EOIR
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work well with people of diverse cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds
- MUST BE BILINGUAL IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
Special Working Conditions and Demands
- On-site work schedule: as needed, and no less than 3 days per week
- Willingness to work flexible hours as needed; some evenings and weekends required.
Benefits:
- Medical HDHP, HMO, and PPO.
- Dental HMO and PPO
- Vision
- Life Insurance and ADD, Company Paid
- Short- and Long-Term Disability: Company Paid
- 403(B) retirement savings plans
- Flexible Spending account and Dependent care account
- Transit Benefit
Position Classification & Salary
Full-Time, Exempt. Salary commensurate with experience. $50,000 - $60,000
Statement of Equal Opportunity
The Resurrection Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, sexual orientation (including gender identity), military status, disability, or language (any language use not related to job duties). In addition to federal law requirements, The Resurrection Project complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.
How To Apply
Interested parties should send a cover letter and resume to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.