Paralegal, Direct Representation and Legal Clinic Programs

The Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) is a racial justice and migrant rights organization which engages in education, advocacy, and cross-cultural alliance-building in order to strengthen a national movement to end racism, criminalization, and economic disenfranchisement in African American and Black immigrant communities. Since BAJI was established in 2006, the organization has used the law to gain improvements in social and economic justice for African-Americans and Black immigrants. Our mission is to strengthen the national movement to end racism and the economic disenfranchisement of African-American and Black immigrant communities through advocacy, training and support to other advocates and organizations, and high quality direct legal representation.

In the face of increasingly aggressive immigration enforcement, millions of non-citizens are at risk of extended and permanent separation from their families and communities. BAJI’s legal program is working to combat the deportation and criminalization of Black immigrant communities through a powerful three-pronged approach, which includes legal representation, legal training, and know your rights (KYR) clinics in communities facing detention and deportation. 

BAJI’s legal team provides technical support and oversight for the immigration programs at BAJI’s five offices throughout the United States and supports advocacy on matters related to refugees and immigrants. BAJI’s three-pronged approach to practicing the law, improving the law, and teaching the law has provided needed assistance to clients attaining deeper and longer lasting impacts on systems.

Job Description:
We seek a paralegal to join our young and vibrant immigration practice. Start date is flexible, with a preference for April 2022. The paralegal should plan to work full time for a period of at least one year.

The paralegal will assist our legal team in representing clients in deportation proceedings, provide affirmative immigration services, and pursue community-based systemic reform litigation and advocacy aimed at reforming harsh and violent federal immigration laws. The paralegal will specifically assist with providing legal support to non-citizens in applications for immigration relief including asylum, withholding, CAT citizenship, adjustment of status, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS),  Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and remedies for victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other crimes; represent noncitizens facing deportation in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained, in proceedings including bond hearings, mental competency hearings, Motions to Terminate challenging the basis of removability, applications for relief including discretionary relief from criminal convictions, relief based on hardship to family members, and persecution-based relief. 

The paralegal will also assist with legal clinics at BAJI, which provide legal support to Black migrants in transit through Mexico as well as those living in the United States. The clinic provides services to Black migrants and transnational families in the areas of U.S. and Mexican immigration and asylum law, family reunification, and access to identity documents. Prior experience in and understanding of immigration law is strongly preferred.

Qualifications:
We seek applicants with a demonstrated commitment to public service, racial justice, abolition,  immigration defense, as well as to working with clients from vulnerable communities, including women and LGBTQ migrants. Applicants must be highly motivated, creative, flexible and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of advocates. The position requires strong oral and written advocacy skills, proficiency in legal research and writing, and excellent organizational skills as well as the ability to work and problem-solve under pressure.

Applicants must have graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent education/training. Prior paralegal experience or related experience preferred. Multilingual not required, but a plus.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities:

• Complete legal intakes with Black migrants in a caring and compassionate manner to ascertain their legal needs
• Help attorneys prepare applications for humanitarian immigration relief for migrants who qualify, including taking declarations, filling out immigration forms, and conducting country conditions research
• Support attorneys in ongoing representation of clients through responding to phone calls, communicating with families, collecting necessary documents, and providing informational packets for released clients
• Translate documents or secure translations, as necessary; secure interpretation assistance, as necessary
• Manage caseload and maintain client files in good order, including photocopying applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow up work
• Respond to calls from immigrants who call our LA office and direct them to available services and resources
• Compile quarterly narrative and statistical reports regarding case consultation and case representation. Assist in the documentation of the project’s experiences and in the preparation of BAJI quarterly reports and reports to funding sources.
• Assist legal team with providing know your rights (KYR) presentations on U.S. asylum, permanent protections, and temporary protections 
• Follow up with previously filed immigration petitions and other cases
• Support BAJI’s border work, including bi-weekly asylum support workshops with Black migrants in Mexico 
• Participate in BAJI staff meetings, legal team meetings, and case reviews.

Salary commensurate with experience. BAJI offers a generous benefits package. 

BAJI is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran or active military service member status, pregnancy, arrest or conviction record, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

Salary: $60k+

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: jobs@baji.org . If you have questions, please call 347-410-5312.