Open Positions:
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Immigration Attorney
The Columbia County Sanctuary Movement (CCSM) organizes with immigrants and allies to collectively support, empower and defend our communities. We are a multilingual non-profit organization dedicated to providing holistic services, education and engaging members in campaigns for systemic change. This position is based in Hudson, New York with the ability to work a hybrid remote/in-office schedule and will report to Co-Executive Directors.
The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation to recent arrivals and long term residents on both affirmative applications and in removal proceedings. The attorney can expect to appear before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, New York City Immigration Court, and Buffalo Immigration Court. The Director of Legal Services, will have the opportunity to work along CCSM to use creative legal remedies and gutsy advocacy strategies to challenge the unjust deportation machine and inhumane immigration legal system.
70% Legal Service Provision
- Conduct intakes with potential clients, conflict checks, and screenings for various forms of immigration relief
- Facilitate legal consultations and provide case specific advice to clients
- Represent members and identifying form of relief in relief removal cases (such as defensive Asylum claim or prosecutorial discretion)
- Prepare affirmative cases (such as U-Visas/T-Visas, TPS, SIJS, Asylum, Naturalization, and family petitions) before USCIS.
- Supervise and provide technical support to DOJ-accredited representative proving legal service to clients applying for affirmative immigration benefits before USCIS
- Travel to attend master and individual hearing when necessary
- Maintain accurate, complete and confidential case files
- Mentor, support, and train CCSM staff on complex immigration matters and the provision of trauma-informed services
- Work closely with Co-Executive Director and Community Navigator to provide holistic services and referrals to clients
- Strengthen CCSM’s existing Rapid Response work and hotline by providing legal expertise, and at times legal representation when detained
- Provide the support and program development needed to host a Justice Corps Fellowship in the near future
20% Administration
- Administer legal service systems and track program metrics
- Work with grant manager on accurate legal service grant applications
- Contribute to managing legal service program budget
- Supervise DOJ accredited representatives and/or paralegals
- Support strengthening and administering legal service policies
10 % Outreach, Education and External Relations
- Inform and provide orientation about defenses against removal proceedings and the court process to community members
- Facilitate remote court appearances from CCSM’s office rather than traveling to NYC or Buffalo
- Identify and collaborate with local or state partner organizations on appellate and impact-oriented litigation efforts related to detention conditions, labor rights, and other priorities.
- Establish and maintain relationships with community partners, immigration service providers, pro bono attorneys, private attorneys and our legal service funders.
Desired Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor active NYS bar admission preferred
- Highly Preferred: Ability to communicate effectively with monolingual Spanish-speakers (i.e., advanced Spanish skills)
- Excellent research, writing, analytical, and communication skills
- Minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in immigration law or direct legal services, and experience with both affirmative application and removal defense proceedings
- Knowledge and adherence to community and movement lawyering principles
- Commitment to CCSM’s mission, immigrant communities, and principles of collective liberation
- Valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel
- Relationships with immigrant communities
- Directly impacted by or experience with immigration system preferred
This is a full-time position (approximately 40 hours a week) with a starting salary of $62,200. Benefits include health and vision plus dental insurance, mileage reimbursement, paid holidays, and unlimited paid time off with prior approval. This position is eligible to receive relocation benefits. The Immigration Attorney will have access to professional development opportunities. CCSM is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages people of color, women, working class people, LGBTQIA people, immigrants, formerly incarcerated people, and people with disabilities to apply.
Volunteer with CCSM
CCSM was built from the ground-up by members and volunteers. From our coordinating committee to carrying out the important work of our programming, volunteers add essential capacity to our organization. The key areas we are currently seeking volunteers for are pro-bono legal services, translation, web-design, transportation and grassroots fundraising. Please fill out this form to share your skills and passion with CCSM! Email volunteer@sanctuarycolumbiacounty.org with any additional questions.
If you are interested in interning with us for a semester (or more!), please send us an email with the subject "Interning with CCSM".