Staff Attorney

Description:

Primary Purpose of the Job:
A Nonprofit Organization's Border Action Team Staff Attorney position intended to enhance the provision of legal services to asylum seekers encountered at the U.S. southern border. The Staff Attorney will be under the direction of the Border Action Team's Managing Attorney and will collaborate with a team comprised of legal assistants. This position is intended to be adaptive, based on the constantly evolving landscape of U.S. border policy – including, but not limited to, policies like metering, expulsions without due process, removal proceedings at the border, and various forms of expedited removal – as well as the impact those policies have on the use of detention. The Staff Attorney will provide legal orientation, consultation, and some direct representation to asylum seekers at the Arizona/Sonora border and/or in the credible fear process at the border or in ICE detention. The distribution of tasks is highly dependent upon team priorities at the time, based upon current border and asylum policies. The Staff Attorney will also collaborate on advocacy efforts to protect and improve due process in the asylum process. The Staff Attorney will be an employee of FIRRP but, like all members on the Border Action Team, will work closely with the Kino Border Initiative staff and other NGO community partners as well. This position is based out of FIRRP's Tucson office but requires frequent travel to Sonora, Mexico. Some travel to the detention facilities and Immigration Courts in Eloy and Florence, Arizona may also be required.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Legal Orientation and Education at the Arizona/Mexico border:

• Conduct regular “Know Your Rights” presentations, legal orientations, and/or group workshops in, but not limited to, Nogales, Sonora, Mexico or within Arizona.
• Communicate and interpret immigration and department policies and programs to the public, including public speaking on such matters as “Know Your Rights” and other matters as requested.
• Develop or update pro se materials for the populations the Border Action Team serves
• Develop group workshops on targeted, specific legal issues for the populations the Border Action Team serves (e.g. for fear interview preparation; I-589 application support; evidence gathering, etc.) and with consideration of how workshops expand our clients' access to asylum or enhance their removal defense in light of current border policies.
• Remain current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to immigrants and refugees' options for relief from removal.
• Actively stay apprised and trained in developments in both border and immigration policies, whether they are proposed policies, impending policies, active policies in effect, or past policies.

Advocacy:

• Support the A Nonprofit Organization's efforts to document cases of due process violations at the Arizona/Sonora border and collaborate in the preparation of reports and advocacy documents explaining the legal implications and human consequences of these violations.
• Proactively communicate with community partners and supervisors at FIRRP, including participating in joint quarterly meetings to review caseload, documentation for advocacy efforts, and other emerging considerations.
• Participate in local, regional, and national stakeholder meetings, as necessary, to stay abreast of border policy.
• Create agendas and track deliverables and requests in stakeholder meetings and relay that information to the team or external stakeholders, as appropriate.

Casework at the Arizona/Mexico border:

• Conduct in-depth intake interviews for either pro se or direct representation of asylum-seekers at the Arizona/Mexico border. Communicate with clients to obtain initial and follow-up information.
• Provide either pro se support or direct representation to individuals seeking immigration relief at the Arizona/Sonora border, including evaluating for not only underlying immigration relief but also for exemptions or exceptions from any current deterrence-based border policies.
• Ensure the accuracy, substance, and timeliness of statistical and narrative reports, projects, schedules and other relevant work products.
• Work with other team members to develop case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed-upon strategy.
• Prepare legal filings and submissions (make copies) and submit them to the court as needed by the attorneys.
• Maintains complete and accurate case notes and client records. Prepares timely statistical reports.
• In accordance with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.
• Refer clients who are released from CBP custody to appropriate pro bono resources in their destination community when such resources are available and develop or maintain a compilation of pro se packets of resources.

Casework for adults within Arizona immigration detention facilities:

• On a limited basis depending on team capacity & current border realities, Staff Attorneys may be required to provide either pro se support or direct representation to individuals who are detained by ICE within Arizona detention facilities in a variety of matters, including but not limited to: bond; parole; requests for asylum, withholding, or CAT relief; or in appellate matters.
• Track cases and outcomes accordingly.
• Prepare legal memorandums, motions, briefs, pre-hearing statements, and other legal documents in support of immigration benefits, as determined by border policies and Border Action Team priorities
• Gather resources on expert witnesses and country conditions to serve as evidence for asylum seekers.
• Refer clients who are released from ICE custody to appropriate pro bono resources in their destination community when such resources are available.
• Track and monitor caseload and relevant deadlines.
• Work with other team members to develop case strategies consistent with immigration law and procedure. Assist in implementing agreed-upon strategy.
• Keep clients informed of the status of matters and comply with reasonable requests for information. Investigate and develop evidence to support clients' fear-based claims, such as drafting client declarations, witness letters and obtaining supporting documents from feared country of return.
• Conduct case and legal research (e.g., country conditions).
• Communicate with experts or witnesses as needed.
• Prepare legal filings and submissions (make copies) and submit to the court as needed by the attorneys.
• Maintains complete and accurate case notes and client records. Prepares timely statistical reports.
• Remain current on implications of criminal and civil law as it applies to immigrants and refugees' representation.
• In accordance with required ethical standards, preserves client confidentiality and avoid conflicts of interest.

Administrative / Data Entry:

• Data entry, timekeeping, and file management as required by all Border Action Team members providing legal services.
• Enter required organizational and client information into required databases, maintain data entry requirements by following data program techniques and procedures.
• Work with legal staff to organize and maintain client files (both paper and electronic).
• Other duties as necessary—which may include but are not limited to: coverage of reception duties, going to facilities to get signatures, translations, assisting with document collection, scanning, photocopying, collating, and faxing information.
• Prepare, proofread, and send documents as assigned.

Other Duties & Responsibilities:

• Attend all team meetings and relevant trainings.
• Be well versed in immigration law, policies and procedures.
• Participate in organizational fundraising and outreach efforts as requested.
• Participate in developing and implementing special projects or presentations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
• Have taken the bar exam prior to beginning the fellowship.
• Fluency or advanced proficiency in Spanish required.
• Must be able to lawfully exit and enter the U.S./Mexico border
• Must be comfortable working regularly crossing the border to work in Mexico either on foot or in personal vehicle.
• Ability to work independently, be highly adaptable and reliable in the face of conflict, pressure, crisis or changing priorities.
• Sharp legal mind; strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.
• Accuracy and attention to detail a must.
• Enjoys high-volume and challenging casework and is successful in obtaining results.
• Demonstrated commitment to advocating for indigent immigrant clients in a respectful and empowering way, zealous support of A Nonprofit Organization's mission, and displays a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Must be comfortable working with people with criminal convictions.?
• Strong litigation experience and/or oral advocacy skills.
• Strong legal research.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with diverse populations.?
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Highly organized, an innovative thinker, and work in high-volume settings with limited resources.
• Excellent pro

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