Children's Attorney

Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities.

A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

International Rescue Committee - Washington seeks three Children’s Attorneys to join its Children’s Legal Services program at its Sea Tac and Spokane offices to provide legal services to unaccompanied children who have been released from the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or are residing in local Unaccompanied Refugee Minors (URM) programs. The attorneys will meet with unaccompanied child clients to conduct legal relief eligibility determinations, advise them on their options, and provide direct legal representation.

Relief will include filing for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, asylum, T Visas and U Visas, requiring the attorney to appear in Washington State courts, Immigration Court in Seattle, Washington, and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Asylum Office.

The Children’s Attorneys will bring a passion for this area of work and experience with immigration legal services. Working closely with the Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, as well as IRC’s HQ Immigration Technical Unit and a host of external partners, the Children’s Attorneys will play a key role in contributing to this program area for IRC Washington. This position will report to the Managing Attorney or Supervising Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, and may supervise a Legal Assistant and/or interns.

These positions are anticipated to be funded through July 31, 2026. Continuation is subject to ongoing funding availability.

• Conduct intakes with child clients, identify relief, and provide direct representation for unaccompanied children released to sponsors in King, Pierce, Snohomish, and Spokane counties or residing in an Unaccompanied Refugee Minors program in Western Washington.
• Handle moderate to heavy caseload of children’s cases before the Immigration Court and USCIS.
• Initiate and represent children in state court proceedings for children who are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile classification, including dependencies, Vulnerable Youth Guardian ships, parenting plans, and minor guardian ships.
• Prepare, file, monitor, and represent child clients with applications for immigration relief including, but not limited to, applications for Special Immigrant Juvenile Classification, asylum, U “Crime Victim” visas, and T “Trafficking Victim” visas.
• Represent child clients before the Immigration Court in Seattle, WA, including attending Master Calendar and Merits Hearings; filing motions, notices of appearance, change of address forms, and briefings; and communicating with the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Chief Counsel regarding clients’ matters before the Court.
• Coordinate closely within IRC’s multidisciplinary teams to identify needs and facilitate referrals to social services offered in-house and through partnerships with external providers.
• Ensure client and program data is collected and recorded consistently, managed appropriately, and reported accurately in accordance with program reporting requirements set by IRC.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and expertise of changing asylum and immigration policies as they relate to unaccompanied children through regular trainings and peer-to-peer consultation.
• Serve as a strong advocate for humanitarian immigrants.

Reports to:

Managing Attorney, Children’s Legal Services, or Supervising…