Immigration Staff Attorney

Make the Road States (MRstates) is the national home for the second-generation Make the Road family of organizations in Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Nevada, this in addition to New York
, that serves to uplift the voices of working‑class, immigrants, women, LGBTQIA people, and people of color across the Make the Roads umbrella. From an operational spectrum it serves as the Finance and Human Resources Compliance Officers for the umbrella at large.

Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) builds the power of immigrant and working‑class communities to achieve dignity and respect through community organizing, the provision of high quality legal and support services, transformative education, and policy innovation. MRNJ is a project of Make the Road States. Founded in 2014, MRNJ operates centers and organizing hubs in the cities of Elizabeth, Passaic, Perth Amboy, and Newark, that reach thousands of immigrants and working‑class people of color each year.

Our member‑led organizing committees -- which work on the issues named above-- implement strategies to combat shared problems and develop leadership and the capacity for civic participation. In the past four years, MRNJ has won more than 10 pro‑immigrant and pro‑worker policies, including the nation’s first guaranteed severance law, landmark anti‑wage theft legislation, occupational and drivers’ license for undocumented immigrants and a $15 minimum wage.

We also provide an array of high‑quality bilingual services including ESOL, legal services in the areas of immigration and workplace rights, workplace safety training and college access.

Make the Road Action (MRA), a 501(c)(4) organization is committed to building power for justice in immigrant and low‑income working‑class communities of color. MRA operates in five states - New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. We work to create social change, connect voters to the candidates and issues that are most important to them, and work hands‑on in a fast‑paced environment to create long‑term impact in the communities that need it most.

The Legal Department MRNJ works to strengthen the organization’s organizing work by (1) helping to envision and implement leverage strategies (including strategic litigation) that help win our organizing campaigns; (2) providing technical legal support for policy work; and (3) providing legal and support services to high‑need immigrant communities and help meet the immediate needs of MRNJ’s members. The Department currently employs approximately 12 attorneys and advocates.

Our legal team is integrated into all aspects of the organization’s work.

The part‑time (approximately 20 hours/week) immigration staff attorney will provide legal representation on a wide range of immigration matters both before the Executive Office of Immigration Review ("EOIR") and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS"), with a particular but non‑exclusive focus on UACs, similarly‑situated youth, and SIJ. The staff attorney provides legal support for active MRNJ campaigns. The position will be partially remote with work conducted in one of our offices in Elizabeth, Passaic or Perth Amboy.

This position is included in a Union‑represented collective bargaining unit, and specific employment terms and conditions are subject to collective bargaining.

• Provide individualized assistance to clients currently in removal proceedings or eligible for immigration relief, in a broad range of categories including SIJ, Asylum, U/T Nonimmigrant Status, VAWA, Cancellation of Removal, adjustment of status, and naturalization, including representing individuals in immigration, family and federal district court as well as before USCIS, with a particular emphasis on UACs, similarly situated youth, and SIJ;
• Manage active caseload as determined by department and annual goals, and maintain client files in good order, including photocopying/scanning applications, letters, supporting documentation, and follow up work. Maintain client and case information in Legal Server or other case management systems;
• C…