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Immigration Staff Attorney

Title: Immigration Staff Attorney

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Program Area: Social and Legal Services

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Supervisor: Supervising Attorney

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Location: Flushing, NY (hybrid)

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Salary: $65,000 

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Benefits: Medical/Dental/Vision Coverage, Paid Time Off, Comp Time, Transit Benefits

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Employment Type: Full-Time Union Position with TWU Local 241

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ORGANIZATION HISTORY AND MISSION

The MinKwon Center for Community Action is a dynamic, mission-driven, and people-powered nonprofit organization that serves, educates, and organizes the Korean American, Asian Pacific American (APA), and immigrant communities in New York and around the country. The MinKwon Center offers free assistance with public benefits, health insurance enrollment, and taxes; provides free legal representation for immigration and housing, promotes civic participation with voter and census registration and outreach, and organizes campaigns with other local, state, and federal coalitions. By prioritizing the needs and voices of low-income, undocumented, youth, senior, and limited English proficient residents, we are building a multilingual, multi-generational base of engaged community members to achieve social and economic justice for all.

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JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a dedicated and talented individual to serve as an Immigration Staff Attorney. MinKwon’s Social and Legal Services Program provides direct services to over 2,500 low-income households annually. This position is housed in our Immigration Legal Services program and requires a J.D.

 

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Conduct comprehensive immigration screenings, intakes, and case assessments.

  • Provide information about eligible immigration benefits, assist clients with gathering documents, and complete immigration applications & petitions.

  • Provide direct representation and legal advice to clients in cases including but not limited to naturalizations, green card renewals, adjustment of status, SIJS, VAWA, TPS, U and T visas, cancellation of removal, family based petitions, DACA renewals, and inadmissibility waivers.  

  • Process immigration-related correspondence and manage routine client communications.

  • Maintain detailed and up-to-date notes in case management system, and in physical and electronic files.

  • Prepare and conduct community outreach and educational workshops.

  • Work with MinKwon’s development staff on immigration grants deliverables and reporting.

  • General administrative and clerical duties. 

 

MinKwon Center’s Staff Attorney will provide free legal consultations and direct representation on immigration matters to primarily low-income Asian immigrant communities in New York City.

 

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

  • Provide legal counsel and direct representation to clients seeking assistance with affirmative applications, naturalization, and removal proceedings;

  • Work with MinKwon organizers to conduct outreach, trainings, and workshops for individuals and community partners on immigration issues;

  • Represent MinKwon during district stakeholder meetings with USCIS and in other immigration-related coalition meetings;

  • Supervise and oversee volunteers and interns;

  • Maintain detailed client records in case management system

 

Candidates will be evaluated on the basis of the following:

  • Licensed to practice law in the United States (Preferably in NY due to representing children in family court proceedings) 

  • Interest and experience in working with the Asian American community 

  • Expertise and experience in immigration law

  • English and Korean proficiency is required

  • Ability to manage a diverse and high caseload and deadlines efficiently with minimal supervision

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to work well both independently and in teams

  • Strong commitment to public service; non-profit experience preferred
     

QUALIFICATIONS

The minimum required qualifications for this position include the following:

  • Korean fluency is required.

  • J.D. required.

  • Ability to work well independently, in teams, and in collaboration with outside organizations.

  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite applications.

  • Ability to work in a multicultural environment and with limited English proficient communities.

 

The ideal candidate will also have the following preferred qualifications:

  • Previous experience with immigration legal or social services.

  • Spoken and written fluency or proficiency in the following languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, other Chinese dialects, and/or Spanish.

  • Knowledge, interest, and commitment towards concepts and issues of social, political, and economic justice and positive social change in the U.S., especially in the context of Korean American, APA, and/or immigrant communities.

  • Ability to be highly organized, meet deadlines, manage a high caseload, and take initiative on projects with minimal supervision.

  • Experience with data entry and management.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit a cover letter and resume to hr@minkwon.org.

Please write ‘Immigration Staff Attorney’ in the email subject line, and please specify in your email how you found out about this position (website, LinkedIn, Indeed, Facebook, etc.). Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled and this posting is removed. Due to the high volume of applications, the MinKwon Center will only contact applicants who have been selected for an interview. No phone calls, please.

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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The MinKwon Center for Community Action does not discriminate against current or prospective employees based on race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, age, marital status, family or dependent status, criminal record, disability, mental illness, sexual orientation, genetics, active military, credit score and history, or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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This is a union bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by TWU Local 241.

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