Staff Humanitarian Attorney

The Staff Attorney will provide legal representation and advocacy on a variety of legal immigration matters for Afghan parolees, refugees and asylees, including but not limited to: Special Immigrant Visas, Family-Based Petitions, Asylum, Adjustment of Status applications, and related types of cases. The Staff Attorney will carry their own caseload under the supervision of the Managing Attorney. The Staff Attorney will assist with community pro bono efforts, community education, education, technical assistance, and advocacy on matters impacting Afghan Parolees, refugees and asylees.

Primary Responsibilities and Duties:

• Provides direct legal representation to clients in obtaining or maintaining immigration status or benefits before USCIS and EOIR, with a focus on Asylum, Special Immigrant Visas, Family-Based Petitions, Humanitarian Parole, adjustment of status applications, and related types of cases.
• Stays current on applicable laws and policies and assures program contract or regulatory compliance.

• Responsible for immigration database maintenance, documentation and record keeping of Program client cases and other agency reporting requirements. Also responsible for administrative tasks for personal cases including filing, copying, data entry, preparing mailings, and opening and closing cases.
• Coordinate with community partners to promote legal representation for Afghan parolees including support for asylum efforts led by partner agencies.
• Recruit and support pro bono volunteer attorneys to represent and assist Afghan parolees in their legal cases. Assist partner agencies in creation of training materials. Attend and present at training sessions. Mentor pro bono volunteer attorneys in their representation of Afghan families.  

• Assist with outreach, community education, producing legal education materials, and collaborating with community partners to advance and improve services for clients.
• Represent YWCA Tulsa at immigration related meetings, forums and events in the community.
• Coordinate and communicate with the case management team to identify potential legal needs.
• Collaborate with other YWCA Tulsa programs as appropriate to ensure integrated, client-centered service.
• Travel to provide legal services for those individuals who do not have access to transportation.
• Limited travel to USCIS in Oklahoma City and  Houston, Texas.
• Assist in determining appropriate case stories for use in reports, advocacy materials, and public education and provide accurate information on current immigration law and policy topics to media and partners.

• Complies with all YWCA policies and procedures.

Education/Experience:

• J. D. Law Degree and admission to a State Bar.
• Relevant immigration law experience related to refugees, asylees, and/or Special Immigrant Visas. or law school clinic experience preferred.
• Experience working with diverse communities.
• Fluency or proficiency in English and a second language (preferably Dari and/or Pashto).