What are the responsibilities and job description for the Bilingual Immigration Law Paralegal position at Western Illinois Dreamers?
Western Illinois Dreamers seeks a Detail-oriented, mission-driven Paralegal with 1–3 years of hands-on experience in U.S. immigration law, with a primary focus on asylum (affirmative before USCIS and defensive before EOIR), removal defense, and VAWA matters. The ideal candidate is fluent in Spanish, thrives in a fast-paced, client-facing [phone calls] work, and is comfortable managing sensitive, trauma-informed cases from intake through final adjudication.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct Spanish- and English-language client intakes, fact-gathering interviews, country conditions research, and timeline development with a trauma-informed approach.
- Prepare complete application packets and supporting evidence for I-589 asylum (affirmative and defensive), VAWA self-petitions (I-360), work authorization (I-765), and related filings, translations, certifications, and affidavits.
- Support EOIR litigation, including drafting declarations, organizing filings for master and individual hearings.
- Liaise with clients, interpreters, experts, and community organizations; request records (FOIA, police, court), track RFE/NOID/NOIR deadlines, and maintain meticulous case notes and ticklers.
- Prepare interview/hearing preps, witness outlines, and exhibit binders; handle filings via ECAS and USCIS online/lockbox as applicable.
- Preparing motions (e.g., to advance, to continue, bond/re-determination support), compiling country-conditions and expert evidence, and coordinating interpretation.
- Coordinate with attorneys on case strategy
- Maintain docketing, CRM/case management data integrity, and quality checks to ensure compliance with the EOIR Practice Manual, the USCIS Policy Manual, and local rules.
- Translate and certify Spanish–English documents; draft professional correspondence in both languages.
Qualifications
- 1–3 years [may include internships] of recent U.S. immigration paralegal experience with substantive exposure to asylum (affirmative and defensive), removal defense, and VAWA matters.
- Fluent or native-level Spanish with excellent oral interviewing skills and precise written translation; strong professional English speaking, writing, and editing.
- Experience assembling EOIR filings or similar filings with exhibits and indices.
- An understanding of EOIR procedures, master/individual hearing workflows, country-conditions research, and evidence standards; familiarity with trauma-informed and culturally competent practices.
- Strong organizational skills with impeccable attention to detail, deadline discipline, and confidentiality; able to manage multiple matters simultaneously.
- Proficiency with case-management and e-filing tools (e.g., ECAS, USCIS online, Docketwise/Clio/Similar), Microsoft 365/Google Workspace, and PDF editing [Important]
About Western Illinois Dreamers: Western Illinois Dreamers' mission is to empower immigrant and refugee communities by informing them of their rights and securing resources and services to foster their successful integration into society. Western Illinois Dreamers has offices in Springfield, Peoria, Beardstown, Monmouth, and Macomb, IL.
Pay: $26.00 - $30.00 per hour
Expected hours: 25.0 – 40.0 per week
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Macomb, IL 61455
Salary : $26 - $30