What are the responsibilities and job description for the Immigration Legal Advocate position at ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE SOUTHERN CA?
We are looking for an Immigration Legal Advocate to join our team in Los Angeles!
WHO WE ARE
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races and ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country.
We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California.
WHAT WE BRING
- The special opportunity to join a mission driven team
- Flexible, hybrid work schedules
- Rich medical, dental and vision benefits
- Retirement options through 403B and match
WHO YOU ARE
You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.
WHAT YOU BRING
- Minimum Associate’s degree or equivalent; Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred
- A minimum of one (1) year of relevant work experience with a preference for applicants with knowledge and experience in immigration or citizenship legal services
- Valid driver's license and/or access to alternative means of transportation
ABOUT THE ROLE
Under the supervision of the Program Director, the Legal Advocate provides critical case support, client coordination, and administrative management to ensure the timely and accurate delivery of immigration legal services for low-income immigrants. The Immigration Legal Advocate will play a key role in supporting our Immigration Unit by managing client communications, supporting case preparation, organizing documentation, and maintaining complete and accurate case records. The Immigration Legal Advocate plays a key role in ensuring cases move forward efficiently by assisting in a wide array of administrative and logistical tasks related to case management, in addition to assisting in outreach and education of various ethnic communities in Los Angeles regarding citizenship and immigration. The Legal Advocate will also provide support in the areas of: clinic administration and organization, data entry, in language translation/interpretation, and document retention. This position requires a culturally sensitive, detail-oriented individual who has a strong work ethic and a commitment to delivering excellent client service. The ideal candidate will work under the supervision of attorneys, assist in organizing and leading legal clinics and workshops, and help ensure a smooth process for clients seeking immigration services. This is a fixed term position and IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.
Duties and Responsibilities:
70% Provide Legal Support and Client Assistance
- Provide immigration application assistance to clients and under the supervision of an attorney within the Immigration Unit
- Assist with scheduling legal consultations, including collecting legal intakes, conducting screenings, collecting service agreements
- Offer support to clients to facilitate communication and ensure understanding of legal processes and requirements.
- Manage client communications, including answering calls, addressing case inquiries, and following up on case progress and deadlines.
- Provide immigration case assistance support, including document collection, preparing legal forms, case and calendar management, and scheduling.
- Assist with administration of remotely held, onsite, and offsite legal clinics, contributing client assistance and aid in workflow management at AJSOCAL’s various clinic workshops
20% Administrative Support
- Provide general office administrative support for the unit including, but not limited to: filing, scanning, copying, and mail processing.
- Provide translation/interpretation support to Immigration unit
- Perform administrative duties including data reporting for internal use and case file management
- Provide grant management support as needed
10 % Conduct Outreach and Education
- Attend outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and adult education centers to present information sessions on Immigration law
- Assist in the development and translation of written community outreach and education materials
- All other duties as assigned
At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.
All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.
Salary : $29 - $44