Immigration Paralegal

Make the Road States (MRstates) is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, this in addition to New York, that serves to uplift the voices of working-class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color across the Make the Roads umbrella. From an operational spectrum it serves as the Finance and Human Resources Compliance Officers for the umbrella at large.

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) builds the power of immigrant and working-class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education, and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers and organizing hubs in the cities of Elizabeth, Passaic, Perth Amboy, and Newark, that reach thousands of immigrants and working-class people of color each year. Our member-led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above-- implement strategies to combat shared problems and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. In the past four years, MRNJ has won more than 10 pro-immigrant and pro-worker policies, including the nation’s first guaranteed severance law, landmark anti-wage theft legislation, occupational and drivers’ license for undocumented immigrants and a $15 minimum wage. We also provide an array of high-quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services in the areas of immigration and workplace rights, workplace safety training and college access.

Make the Road Action (MRA), a 501(c)(4) organization is committed to building power for justice in immigrant and low-income working-class communities of color. MRA operates in five states - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. We work to create social change, connect voters to the candidates and issues that are most important to them, and work hands-on in a fast-paced environment to create long-term impact in the communities that need it most.

The Legal Department MRNJ works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing legal and support services to high-need immigrant communities and help meet the immediate needs of MRNJ’s members. The Department currently employs approximately 9 staff, including attorneys, and a resource navigator and social worker. Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work.

Current Opening:

MRNJ seeks a fulltime Immigration Paralegal who will work closely with MRNJ attorneys, organizers, volunteers, and community partners. The paralegal will manage a dynamic workload that includes both casework and program management tasks, primarily centered around support on humanitarian and family-based immigration cases. The position is currently intended to be partially remote, with work primarily conducted in one of our offices in Elizabeth, Passaic or Perth Amboy. MRNJ staff are currently working under a hybrid model, with a minimum number of in-office days set by the organization and subject to change, though additional in-person work may be required on an ad hoc basis, such as but not limited to joining clinics, staff meetings, meetings with clients and members, or other tasks not suitable for remote work.

Key Responsibilities but not limited to:

• Engaging with clients by phone, email, and in-person;
• Conducting intake interviews and assessing eligibility for services under attorney supervision;
• Preparing immigration applications, affidavits, and other supporting documents under attorney supervision, including translations;
• Attending and providing interpretation services at interviews before USCIS, as appropriate;
• Identifying and requesting documents from local, state, and federal government and non-governmental agencies in the United States and abroad;
• Managing client and agency correspondence, data entry and physical files in accordance with MRNJ’s standard operating procedures;
• Assisting with grant reports as needed;
• Attending regular team, program, and organizational meetings;
• Working with MRNJ’s Social Worker to meet clients’ social service needs;
• Making appropriate referrals;
• Participating in community outreach and educational activities, including Know-Your-Rights workshops and citizenship and other legal clinics;
• Participating in ongoing trainings related to areas of immigration law;
• Providing additional support as needed in areas in and outside of immigration practice;
• Seeking DOJ accreditation upon approval of MRNJ as a Recognized Organization.

Requirements:

• Eligible to work in the US;
• Fully vaccinated with a FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine, required;
• At least 2 years of Immigration Paralegal experience preferred, with a strong preference for experience with N-400 naturalization applications and fee waivers;
• BA from an accredited university or equivalent preferred;
• Proficiency (fluency preferred) in Spanish;
• Demonstrated commitment to social, racial and economic justice, and an understanding of the challenges facing low-wage workers, immigrant communities, and communities of color;
• Interest in supporting community organizing, campaigns, and policy and advocacy initiatives;
• Desire to work collaboratively;
• Flexibility to attend evening and weekend events and meetings, as needed.

Job Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, and organizational skills;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse client population as well as with community members, co-workers, and the public;
• Self-motivated, detail oriented, well-organized, and be able to prioritize assignments and workload.
• Interpersonal and organizational skills of the highest caliber;
• Strong computer skills;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high intensity environment;;
• High level of accountability and initiative;
• Analytical Thinking;
• Problem Solving Ability;
• System-Oriented;
• Attention to Detail;
• Empathetic Outlook;
• Team Player.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience working in immigration legal services;
• Experience working among populations that make up major portions of MRNY’s membership, such as documented and undocumented immigrants, members of TGNICQ communities, and youth;
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships of trust and mutual respect in coalition work.

Salary and Benefits:

MRStates offers an excellent benefit package including health insurance, 401K, and generous paid vacation, sick, personal days. The salary range for this position is from $49,023 to $67,241.

How to Apply:

Please attach cover letter/resume and submit all documents to the Make the Road New States career center.

Make the Road believes that social change is best achieved through grassroots community-based organizing that flows directly from and engages the community demanding the change. As a membership-based organization, we are committed to providing equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, criminal history, or Veteran status. We strongly encourage those from historically excluded groups to apply.