Immigration Attorney

Thrive’s immigration legal program seeks to assist low-income and vulnerable community members across north-central and northeastern Pennsylvania.  We are seeking a passionate and mission-driven Immigration Attorney with 2–10 years of experience to join our legal services team. The Immigration Attorney will provide high-quality, trauma-informed representation to clients in a variety of immigration matters, including asylum, family-based immigration, humanitarian relief, removal defense, and related proceedings before USCIS, EOIR, and federal courts where appropriate.  This position reports to the Immigration Program Director.   

Responsibilities 

The following is a representation of typical responsibilities and is subject to change: 

● Provide direct representation in affirmative and defensive immigration matters;

 ● Conduct client consultations, case assessments, and ongoing communication; 

● Prepare and file applications, motions, briefs, and supporting documentation; 

● Represent clients in hearings and interviews before EOIR and USCIS; 

● Collaborate with accredited representatives, social service staff, and pro bono partners; 

● Interact with clients through a trauma-informed approach and treat clients, co-workers, and community partners with dignity and compassion;

 ● Maintain organized case files and meet internal and external deadlines; 

● Participate in community outreach, legal clinics, and educational events; 

● Stay up to date on immigration law changes and best practices; and complete other duties as assigned. 

Qualifications 

The Immigration Attorney will be thoroughly committed to Thrive International Programs, Inc.’s mission. Concrete, demonstrable experience and other qualifications include: 

Necessary Qualifications: 

● Active bar admission to practice law in the United States (Applicant may be considered for the position if in the process of seeking admission); 

● Ability to work effectively with people from diverse language and cultural backgrounds, to demonstrate cross-cultural sensitivity, and to use a trauma-informed approach; 

● Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in written and spoken English; 

● Ability to be attentive to detail and confident to speak up when needed, especially to represent clients in USCIS interviews and/or in court; 

● Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and to be flexible to meet changing needs and situations; 

● Strong organization, time management, and stress management skills; ● Ability to use technology for client services and peer collaboration; 

● Licensed to drive and ability to occasionally travel out of town for long days; 

● Commitment to servant leadership and quality programs. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

● 2–10 years of relevant immigration law experience; 

● Experience with detained representation or federal litigation; 

● High intermediate (or greater) proficiency in Spanish, Haitian Creole, Arabic, or Dari; 

● 3 months or more experience extensively interacting in another language and/or culture; 

● Prior work in a nonprofit or community-based environment.