Immigration Paralegal

Job Title: Immigration Paralegal

Location: Carolyn Lee PLLC, 114 S. Geneva St, Ste A, Ithaca, NY 14850 (100% in-person)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt

Hours: 35 work hours per week with daily 1-hour unpaid lunch (Monday-Friday: 9am to 5pm)

Reports To: Lindsay Schoonmaker, Senior Attorney

Pay: $23.00-$26.00 per hour, commensurate with experience, plus standard fringe benefits

About Us

·        We are a leading U.S. investment immigration law firm.

·        Our core values are: Honesty; Excellence; Innovation; and Connection.

·        We offer top-notch immigration legal services to our clients and employ innovative technology.

·        A positive firm culture is deeply important to us.

·        Our office is located in beautiful downtown Ithaca, just off the historic Ithaca Commons.

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Immigration Paralegal to join our dynamic legal team. The Immigration Paralegal will play a key role in supporting attorneys with matters related to investment-based immigration processes, including EB-5, E-2, and related employment-based visa categories. This position involves preparing, reviewing, and filing immigration petitions/applications and supporting documents, liaising with clients and project stakeholders, and maintaining case management systems to ensure smooth and timely progress of client matters. This position is 100% in-person at our Ithaca, NY office.

This role requires the ability to handle a high volume of cases simultaneously, demanding meticulous organization, strong motivation, and a drive to advance workflows to completion. The successful candidate will also demonstrate a commitment to improving processes, both individually and within the team, to enhance efficiency and client service.

The ideal candidate must possess excellent organizational, communication, and analytical skills, with a strong interest in immigration law and client service. A commitment to delivering outstanding client service and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential for success in this role.

Key Responsibilities (not exhaustive)

·        Prepare and file investment-based immigration petitions including EB-5 and E-2 visa applications.

·        Assist with source of funds analysis, gathering and organizing financial documents to support client petitions.

·        Draft cover letters, forms, and exhibits for submission to USCIS, NVC, and other relevant government agencies.

·        Conduct client intake and case assessments, collecting necessary biographical, financial, and investment information.

·        Communicate directly with clients, regional centers, developers, and other stakeholders to request information and provide case updates.

·        Review offering documents, private placement memoranda, business plans, economic impact reports, and other investment-related materials for immigration compliance.

·        Coordinate translations, document legalization, and certifications as needed for submission packages.

·        Track case milestones and deadlines, maintaining internal case management systems and ensuring timely filings.

·        Assist attorneys in preparing responses to government-issued Requests for Evidence (RFEs), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs), and audit responses.

·        Stay current on changes to investment immigration regulations and policies, assisting the team in updating procedures accordingly.

·        Prepare client correspondence and instructions regarding next steps, visa interview preparation, and consular processing.

·        Support consular processing cases and adjustment of status applications where applicable.

·        Maintain meticulous case files, ensuring compliance with confidentiality and legal ethics standards.

·        Contribute to internal knowledge management, including checklists, templates, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree (ideally in a business or finance-related field)

·        Excellent written and verbal communication skills

·        High attention to detail and strong organizational skills

·        Ability to manage multiple active projects, prioritize tasks accordingly, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced work environment

·        Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and Adobe PDF document management

·        Professional discretion and ability to handle confidential client information

·        Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with attorneys and other team members

·        Comfortability and experience working with technology and learning new software

Preferred Qualifications

·        Experience as a paralegal in an immigration law firm

o  Prior EB-5 experience is strongly preferred, however demonstrated employment-based immigration paralegal experience is also desirable

·        Experience with cloud-based client management databases

·        Experience working with high-net-worth or international clients

·        Experience analyzing financial and corporate documents

·        Foreign language proficiency, both written and verbal (especially Mandarin, Vietnamese, Korean, or Spanish)

Benefits

·        All U.S. Federal Holidays are paid time off

·        Three weeks of Paid Time Off (Pro-rated)

·        401K

·        Health Benefits: Comprehensive health benefits are available to full-time employees. Some benefits are covered at 100% by the firm, while others may require employee contributions. More detailed information can be provided upon request.

Options currently available for selection by employees:

o  Medical

o  Dental

o  Life

o  Voluntary Life

o  Long-Term Disability

o  Hospital

o  Critical Illness

o  Accident