Immigration Attorney

MIXTECO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE:   Immigration Attorney

DEPARTMENT: Social Services

PROGRAM: MICOP Immigration Legal Assistance (MILA)

REPORTS TO:  MILA Program Manager

LOCATION: MICOP Office, Oxnard or Santa Maria

STATUS: Exempt

ABOUT MIXTECO INDIGENA COMMUNITY ORGANIZING PROJECT

Founded in 2001, Mixteco/Indígena Community Organizing Project (MICOP) supports, organizes and empowers the indigenous migrant communities of California’s Central Coast through improved access to health and community resources, community organizing, language interpretation, education, direct assistance, cultural promotion, and our indigenous-led Radio Indígena community radio station. MICOP offers a fast-paced, multilingual and multicultural work environment dedicated to carrying out our mission.

Summary

The MILA Supervising Attorney will work with the MICOP Immigration Legal Assistance Program.  The MILA Supervising Attorney is responsible for representing clients in affirmative types of immigration legal status before California Superior Court, USCIS, and for removal defense before Immigration Court, Board of Immigration Appeals and US 9th Circuit Court.  

The MILA Supervising Attorney will collaborate with the MILA Program Manager regarding caseload, staffing and all program needs. The MILA Supervising Attorney will supervise and strategize with MILA Staff Attorneys. 

Responsibilities

• Complete intakes on potential clients.




• Evaluate clients for potential immigration legal status eligibility.




• Represent clients in court.




• File pleadings, motions, and various court documents.




• Work with the MILA team (trilingual caseworkers, outreach and education team, MILA Manager, and Department of Justice Accredited Representatives).




• Supervise and mentor staff attorneys and DOJ Accredited Representatives. 




• Completion of required USCIS forms and documentation.




• Communication with law enforcement and county officials, and other professionals.




• Research on country conditions, and develop methods to acquire evidence for Asylum.




• As legal expert, participate in community events, panels, and collaborations, prepare presentations for community outreach and partner with local organizations and government agencies.




• Maintain an accurate calendar, database, and reporting system for clients.




• Stay up-to-date on immigration issues.




• Ability to travel to court, MICOP’s offices in 3 Central Coast counties, and other locations as needed.




• Participate in scheduled meetings with Program Manager and other MILA Staff




• Other duties as assigned. 

Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree.




• Maintain active California Bar License




• At least 6 years experience practicing immigration law. 




• Passion for the mission of supporting, empowering, and organizing the indigenous migrant community in California’s Central Coast.




• Experience representing clients in immigration court.




• Experience filing applications for relief, supporting evidence, and country conditions before the USCIS, Immigration Court. 




• Experience preparing and filing appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals or US 9th Circuit Court.




• Experience working with survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking, victims of crimes; unaccompanied minors, and persons seeking asylum.




• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.




• Supervise the MILA legal team to prioritize workload. 




• Possess outstanding time management skills.  




• Strong analytical, negotiation, organizational and problem-solving skills.




• Genuine commitment to addressing community issues.




• High degree of competency understanding the political process and government structures.




• Proficient in MS Office and Google Suite. 




• Bilingual: Spanish-English (oral communication, reading and writing, required). 




• Ability to communicate in Mixteco language, preferred.

MICOP IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law