Paralegal B | Immigration Team

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid seeks a paralegal for its Immigration Team to support TRLA’s efforts to provide free immigration legal services to vulnerable noncitizens, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, persecution, and torture.

TRLA is the nation’s second largest legal aid provider and is nationally recognized for its high-quality, zealous, client-centered advocacy. With experts in over 45 civil and criminal practice areas, TRLA is uniquely equipped to deliver holistic legal services to address clients’ interconnected needs. TRLA also collaborates directly with local agencies and community partners, including domestic violence and sexual assault survivor centers to reach the most vulnerable members of our client population. TRLA attorneys are part of a community of frontline advocates across Texas and the South, delivering much needed legal assistance to clients residing in underserved rural and border communities.

Our immigration team provides direct and comprehensive legal services for noncitizens, with a focus on longtime residents and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, persecution and torture. TRLA’s immigration work in border communities like El Paso is particularly important because noncitizen residents of these communities face unique challenges. Those without lawful immigration status are cut off from the rest of the United States by internal immigration checkpoints, and they are particularly vulnerable to immigration enforcement and removal given the ubiquity of law enforcement in their communities and their physical proximity to the border.

Duties

• Maintain accurate and complete client files and administrative records
• Provide legal information and referrals to applicants for our services
• Provide translation and interpretation
• Gather evidence and request records
• Communicate with and interview clients and witnesses
• Schedule, organize, and facilitate client meetings
• Complete intakes with new clients, including eligibility screenings and substantive interviews in person and by telephone
• Draft declarations
• Perform other related duties and tasks as assigned by the Team Managers and attorneys
• Prepare legal education materials
• Participate in community group meetings and educational forums to conduct intake and make community legal education presentations
• Prepare immigration forms and legal documents
• Conduct follow-up in assigned cases, including investigating facts and researching law

Required Qualifications

• Fluency in English and Spanish
• Excellent verbal communication and writing skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team of attorneys, paralegals, social workers and staff located throughout the TRLA service area
• College degree or equivalent paralegal experience

Preferred

• Dedication to and experience with serving low-income, vulnerable, noncitizen populations
• Experience working with survivors of trauma

How to Apply and Related Timelines

For consideration, applicants should complete the online application and upload a cover letter, resume, and three references.

The consideration of candidates is ongoing and will continue until the position is filled. The position is available immediately, although the start date is negotiable.

TRLA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an equitable workplace.

This position requires, consistent with TRLA’s policy and subject to applicable law, a candidate to provide proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing employment.