Immigration Staff Attorney

This role operates within a multidisciplinary services context and coordinates with the SAFE Center’s social services, clinical services, and economic empowerment teams on shared matters. The position is located in College Park, Maryland, and offers the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement.

About The SAFE Center

The mission of the SAFE Center is to provide survivor-centered and trauma-informed services that empower trafficking survivors to heal and reclaim their lives, prevent trafficking, and serve survivors through research and advocacy. Our mission is grounded in social justice and active efforts to fight systemic racism, which is a root cause of human trafficking.

The SAFE Center provides social, legal, mental health, and economic empowerment services to survivors of sex and labor trafficking of any age, nationality, or gender. We provide comprehensive legal immigration representation from affirmative petitions to removal defense. We also coordinate with low bono attorneys who specialize in areas we do not provide in-house, such as family law and consumer protection issues.

Responsibilities

Direct Services

• Deliver high-quality legal services in compliance with all ethical and professional rules.
• Provide immigration advice, counseling, and direct legal representation to clients in immigration legal matters including special immigrant juvenile status, T and U visa applications, asylum and withholding of removal, removal defense, adjustment of status, employment authorization, and related immigration relief.
• Represent clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the U.S. Department of State.
• Advocate with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and other branches of law enforcement in requesting continued presence, deferred action, and advanced parole/humanitarian parole when appropriate.
• Provide legal representation to crime victims in Maryland criminal court proceedings and in pursuing related civil remedies, such as Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) claims, Debt Bondage Repair Act (DBRA) claims, wage claims, and petitions for protective and peace orders. (Training is available for these matters.)

Legal Services Program Support

• Facilitate legal team coordination with SAFE Center social services, economic empowerment services, and behavioral health services for holistic client care.
• Work with the team to identify needs that can be filled by law student interns and assist team with intern recruiting and supervision.
• Provide input for grant proposals and grant reporting for program funding.
• Organize and maintain client files, including timely collection and accurate input of data.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree or equivalent from an ABA accredited school of law.
• Two (2) years of legal experience with at least one (1) year experience in immigration law.
• Admission to a Bar Association in any U.S. State, territory or possession, or the District of Columbia at time of hire.
• Current, active bar membership in good standing in any U.S. State, territory or possession, or the District of Columbia preferred.
• Verbal and written fluency in Spanish and English.
• Annual financial disclosure required per Maryland State Law.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in relevant areas of immigration law, including immigration relief eligibility and removal defense representation.
• Experience working with clients who may have complex trauma and a variety of legal, social services, and other needs.

Skills

• Knowledge in relevant areas of immigration law, including immigration relief eligibility and removal defense representation.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to establish priorities and meet internal and external deadlines.
• Excellent research, writing, and oral advocacy skills.
• Ability to adapt legal skills to changing legal environment; facility in acquiring new subject expertise.
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to anticipate and find the source of challenges and propose and advocate for effective solutions.
• Committed to creative problem solving.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including a positive, cooperative, affirming, and professional demeanor, with SAFE Center colleagues, staff, university officials, partner organizations, clients, grantors, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to work as an effective team member in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Demonstrated cultural competency and experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability and commitment to working with clients who may have complex trauma and a variety of legal, social services, and other needs.
• Ability to demonstrate, understand, apply, and adhere to the UMB Core Values of Accountability, Civility, Collaboration, Diversity, Excellence, Leadership, and Knowledge.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development.
• Retirement program (pension or optional retirement plan/ORP) effective on date of hire.
• Generous PAID leave package including over 4 weeks of vacation accrued each year, 16 paid holidays, 3 personal leave days, and unlimited accrual of sick time.
• Comprehensive health insurance.
• Professional learning and development programs.
• Tuition remission for employees and their dependents at any University System of Maryland school.
• Flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

Pay

$90,500 - $95,000, commensurate with education and experience.