Immigration Paralegal

About the Role:

The Immigration Paralegal at Sanabria & Associates PLLC plays a critical role in supporting attorneys by managing complex immigration cases from inception through resolution. This position requires thorough legal research and precise legal writing to prepare and file immigration petitions, applications, and supporting documentation. The paralegal will ensure compliance with immigration laws and regulations while maintaining up-to-date knowledge of employment law and intellectual property issues as they relate to immigration status. By coordinating with clients, government agencies, and internal teams, the paralegal facilitates efficient case progression and timely responses to inquiries. Ultimately, this role contributes significantly to the successful navigation of immigration processes, enabling clients to achieve their immigration goals effectively and lawfully.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree or paralegal certificate from an accredited institution.
• At least 2 years of experience working as a paralegal in immigration law or a related legal field.
• Proficiency in legal research tools, particularly Westlaw.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated legal writing ability.
• Familiarity with immigration status categories and employment law regulations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in legal studies, political science, or related field.
• Experience with patent prosecution and intellectual property law as it relates to immigration.
• Knowledge of administrative procedures and case management software.
• Proficiency in both English and Spanish is required.

Responsibilities:

• Prepare and submit immigration applications to USCIS, including but not limited to:
  • Family-based petitions
  • Adjustment of status
  • Provisional waivers
  • Naturalization
  • U-Visa applications
• Prepare and file applications with the Immigration Court, with a strong focus on:
  • Asylum claims
  • Cancellation of removal proceedings
• Draft legal motions for submission to the Immigration Court, such as:
  • Motions to Change Venue
  • Motions to Consolidate
  • Motions to Substitute Counsel
• Communicate with clients to obtain supporting documentation and case-related information
• Draft client affidavits to support immigration claims
• Electronically file applications and requests with various immigration agencies, including:
  • FOIA requests to USCIS
  • Applications and motions via the Immigration Court’s electronic filing system
• Monitor and manage case deadlines to ensure timely filings
• Maintain accurate records by entering case information, documents, and notes into case management software

Skills:

The required skills such as legal research and legal writing are essential for preparing accurate and persuasive immigration petitions and supporting documents. Expertise in Westlaw enables the paralegal to efficiently gather relevant case law and regulatory information to support attorneys’ legal arguments. Understanding immigration status and employment law allows the paralegal to assess client eligibility and compliance issues effectively. Skills in managing legal documents and performing administrative tasks ensure that case files are organized and deadlines are met, facilitating smooth case progression. Additionally, knowledge of patent prosecution and intellectual property enhances the paralegal’s ability to support complex cases where immigration intersects with these specialized legal areas.