Immigration Attorney, Safe Passage Project


Safe Passage Project provides free lawyers to young refugees and immigrants who are being deported. To date, they have supported more than 1,000 young people in NYC. The New York Immigration Court has more than 15,000 cases involving unaccompanied minors on its docket, many of whom are fleeing trauma such as gang violence and recruitment, abuse, and sexual assault. Immigrant children are not afforded free legal representation by the government, regardless of their age. As a result more than half of immigrant children must go through immigration proceedings without the aid of a lawyer. Without a lawyer, more than 80% of children are issued deportation orders, returning to the danger from which they fled. This is where Safe Passage Project steps in, providing free legal assistance to these refugees and immigrant children in New York City and Long Island.

Position:
The Immigration Attorney will be joining a group of exception public interest attorneys to directly impact the lives of immigrant children looking for safety and security. The Immigration Attorney will directly represent children in immigration and other related proceedings, including cases involving asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and other forms of immigration relief. The Immigration Attorney will also guide pro bono attorneys through Family Court and Immigration Court proceedings, and through representation at the Asylum Office.
This opportunity will be based in our Long Island Office, which houses a team including a Managing Attorney, five staff attorneys, a senior paralegal, and a social worker, as well as interns and volunteer pro bono attorneys, all of whom work together to support our young clients and meet their need for immigration legal services.

Responsibilities:

  • Provide direct representation to Safe Passage Project clients;
  • Supervise and mentor pro bono attorneys with Safe Passage Project;
  • Screen immigrant children and assist in the organizaDon of Safe Passage Project’s legal
  • screenings; and
  • Provide detailed reporDng staDsDcs on each case mentored and represented directly.

Qualifications:

  • J.D. degree and admission to New York State Bar is required;
  • Two (2) years of family law or immigration law experience;
  • Fluency in Spanish is required;
  • Excellent written, analytical, oral, organization and time management skills;
  • Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team in a fast-
  • paced, high intensity environment;
  • Experience working with diverse communities and/or with children; and
  • A commitment to the work of Safe Passage Project and readiness to grow and learn.

How to Apply:
Please email a resume and thoughtful cover letter, outlining how your skills and experience meet the
qualifications of the position, to jobs@safepassageproject.org with the subject line “Immigration
Attorney LI".