Overview

Immigration Equality and the Immigration Equality Action Fund seek an enthusiastic paralegal/legal assistant to provide administrative support to our legal staff in New York City.  We are proud to be the national leaders in the field we pioneered: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and HIV immigration rights.

Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality has a dual focus of direct representation and impact work. We take calls every day from clients who need help right now and we work to change the systems that have lasting impact on how LGBTQ and HIV-positive immigrants are treated. We work with asylum seekers, detained individuals, and binational couples, answering more than 7,000 hotline calls and representing more than 650 individual litigants each year. We also engage in administrative advocacy and impact litigation to protect the interests of our community. Finally, through our Action Fund, we lobby federal policymakers to pass progressive legislation consistent with our mission goals. 

We dedicate ourselves to empowering and protecting one of the most vibrant, resilient, and diverse communities in the world. In more than 60 countries, it is still a crime to be LGBTQ. In many more, it is fundamentally unsafe. We are proud to do life-saving work.

Spanish Speaking Paralegal/Legal Assistant Responsibilities

We are seeking a very organized and detail-oriented individual to join our paralegal/legal assistant team of three. This full-time position currently reports to the Legal Director, and works very closely with the other two paralegals, our clients, and the whole legal team, and other staff and other constituents and stakeholders.

The Spanish Speaking Paralegal/Legal Assistant will have the following responsibilities:

  • Answer Immigration Equality’s telephone and respond to requests for legal assistance
  • Respond to calls/letters from detained immigrants   
  • Maintain our client database and update our dockets
  • Copy and file, gather evidence, research and index country conditions materials, etc.
  • Organize and maintain materials which support asylum applications (and/or supervise volunteers on this project)
  • File papers with immigration court/DHS
  • Translate evidence and other documents into English (and/or supervise volunteers on these projects)
  • Give attorney and social service referrals in appropriate cases
  • Assist with, and screen clients for, pro bono clinics and new client intakes
  • Translate during in-person and/or phone interviews
  • Assist attorneys in preparing client applications and documents
  • Assist in matching clients with pro bono counsel
  • Facilitate communication with clients regarding their cases
  • Represent Immigration Equality at community events and outreach efforts
  • Provide general legal administrative support

Qualifications

  • College degree preferred not required
  • Must be organized and detail oriented (this position presents an excellent opportunity for an individual who is considering law school)
  • Expert in MS Office software, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, OneDrive, and Excel
  • Experience with Salesforce preferred
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with others at all levels
  • Active and quick learner and patient listener
  • Must have a sincere commitment and interest in advocating for equality for LGBTQ/HIV-positive people under U.S. immigration law
  • Must be willing and able to work from our New York City (currently Brooklyn office, reporting to the office 2-3 days/week with the ability to work remotely 2-3 days/week.
  • Spanish fluency is required (spoken; written and reading comprehension)
  • Calm under pressure and solutions oriented
  • Ability to prioritize work and multi-task in a fast-paced environment

Environment

Immigration Equality is an equal opportunity employer: immigrants, transgender people, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Immigration Equality is a progressive organization with an open office plan. Applicants are expected to collaborate within a diverse and inclusive environment.

Immigration Equality is a mission-driven organization full of smart, dedicated people. If you want to work at the cutting edge of the two most potent issues of our time, and do it with terrific

colleagues in a fast-paced, nimble organization that seeks results, this is the place for you.

In order to maintain the safest environment for our staff and clients, some of whom may be immunocompromised, Immigration Equality mandates that all staff be vaccinated against COVID-19. Immigration Equality will be taking all necessary precautions due to COVID-19 utilizing guidance from health authorities.

Our office has a hybrid work environment headquartered in NYC and NYC area residency is required. A laptop and printer and a home office stipend will be provided to support working remotely. The ideal candidate is a well-organized, extremely detail-oriented, and resourceful individual.

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