Staff Attorney; Phoenix & Tucson

Position: Staff Attorney (Phoenix & Tucson)
The Organization:
The Florence Project was founded in 1989 to respond to a representation crisis for indigent non-citizens detained at the rural Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Detention Center in Florence, Arizona. Through our programs today, we provide services to thousands of adults, youth, and children detained in Eloy, Florence, Phoenix, and Tucson, Arizona on any given day. In 2001, the Florence Project implemented our Integrated Social Services Program, one of the first of its kind in this field.

The Florence Project provides high quality legal and social services and supports initiatives for national changes in immigration law and policy.

Staff Attorney - Direct Representation:

The Staff Attorney will work on a team to provide pro se assistance and/or direct representation to individuals in ICE custody in Florence and Eloy, Arizona, including cases where individuals have been found incompetent. The position involves substantial work on individual intakes, group and individual court counseling and prep sessions, and other direct services to immigrants facing removal proceedings. The Staff Attorney will represent clients in bond and merits proceedings before the Immigration Court (EOIR), as needed, as well as appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

The Staff Attorney may also work on related matters before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The Staff Attorney will provide "Know Your Rights" presentations and pro se workshops, as needed, and will refer cases to the Florence Project pro bono and social services teams. The Staff Attorney will also have the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects with other Florence Project teams and partner organizations.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Casework:

• Provide direct legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings, including those found incompetent. Provide representation
  before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals and USCIS as needed.

• Handle most forms of relief, including cancellation of removal for LPRs and non LPRs, asylum/withholding/CAT cases, adjustment of status for refugees and other non-citizens, citizenship, T and U visas, and VAWA claims.

• Refer cases to other teams according to the established procedures.

• Refer cases to social services for support and follow up work.

• Conduct intake interviews and provide group "Know Your Rights" presentations to unrepresented individuals at the detention centers in Eloy and Florence, AZ, as needed.

• Educate participants on how to represent themselves and prepare pro se materials as needed.
• Conduct formal intakes.
• Provide follow-up Pro Se Assistance as needed, including but not limited to:

• • Conduct legal research to determine eligibility.

• • Write pro se motions and briefs on legal issues before the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals, and/or USCIS.

• • Review court files.

• • Organize supporting evidence.

• • Review relief applications and prepare detainees for court when necessary.

• • Professional Development/Training - Attend mandatory training and other CLEs and training ad hoc.

• • Remain current in immigration law, and on implications of criminal and civil law.

• • Complies with required ethical standards, preserve client confidentiality, and avoid conflict of interest.

• • Maintain complete and accurate case notes and client records.

• • Prepare timely statistical reports.

• • Conduct case audits for presentation and review as required.

Administrative Duties:

• Follow cybersecurity rules and other compliance requirements.

• Attend and actively participate in FIRRP meetings; including staff meetings and joint case review meetings as scheduled.

• Track hours, data, and mileage for reimbursement as appropriate.

• Maintain case notes, data and time keeping in a timely manner and keep electronic and physical files organized.

Outreach and Advocacy:

• Attend occasional meetings with stakeholders including EOIR, ICE officials, and/or CCA officials to discuss ongoing issues.

• When requested, speak on behalf of FIRRP in various settings including media, panels, conferences, conference calls, to visiting students, to visiting funders, or to community…