South Texas Pro Bono Asylum Representation Project of American Bar Association seeks experienced immigration attorneys!

Job Summary/General Purpose of Job

Accountable for providing legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings in the border region. 

Principal Duties/Job Responsibilities 

• Provides legal services including direct representation to detained or locally released children in immigration removal proceedings.
• Reviews legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff. Reviews and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in- house representation.
• Regularly appears in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate. May also appear in Texas state court as related to a child’s immigration case.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors. Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders. Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality using a case management system. 
• Builds and maintains relationships with local stakeholders. 
• Must be familiar with conducting virtual meetings, training, and observations on software such as Zoom, Teams, etc.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience 

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Licensed and in good standing to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Fluent in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google tools.
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities. In accordance with the federal regulation, a background check will be required for this position. 
• Must be insurable and have an acceptable driving record.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Licensed to practice law and member of the State Bar of Texas, and one year experience preferably in representing clients on immigration issues.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America including Mayan language- speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements

Typical office setting with frequent visits at immigration detention facilities and immigration court. Continuously operates a computer and other office equipment, such as telephone, copy machine, and printer.

Travel 
As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 15% of the time.
 

Benefits Offered

· Medical and prescription insurance       · Dental insurance

· Vision insurance                                    · Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

· Voluntary life insurance                         · Short and long term disability insurance

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)   · Prepaid Legal Plan

· 401(k)                                                    · Paid company holidays

· Personal time off                                   · Vacation time off

· PSLF Participant

In addition to competitive pay and employment benefits, ProBAR takes pride in taking care of its employees. There are abundant development opportunities including onsite, offsite, and online training and workshops. ProBAR has also created its own initiatives like paid time off for self-care, staff-led wellness programs, and counseling. Working for the ABA connects you to an extensive network of dedicated professionals, and ProBAR’s work at the border gives a unique perspective on immigration law. 
 

The Organization: 

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal education, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley border region with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s office is located in Harlingen, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://ambar.org/probar 
 

The Location:
ProBAR is located in the Rio Grande Valley, a thriving region that boasts a rich culture, affordable cost of living, subtropical climate, and beautiful natural areas to enjoy. Recent growth has brought the RGV unprecedented investments in higher education and scientific research. Three local airports connect RGV residents to destinations around the country while Mexico is only a short drive away. The region’s delicious food, world-class nature parks, and the beaches of South Padre Island provide ample opportunities to relax and recharge!
COVID-19 Response:
ProBAR leadership has responded proactively to support the health and wellbeing of our staff and the individuals we serve. We are currently providing the majority of our legal services remotely while telecommuting. During this period of remote work, we continue to accept applications and interview for open positions. Timelines for hiring may be a bit more extended than usual so that we can ensure everyone’s safety as new staff members transition and join the team, but we encourage interested candidates to apply and begin the process today.

The Application Process:
Visit the job posting and submit an online application including your cover letter and resume.