Legal Assistant Evening Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), established in 1911, is a nongovernmental, not-for-profit international organization dedicated to addressing the needs and rights of refugees and immigrants. USCRI, working with nearly 200 affiliates, provides legal, social, and health services to refugees, unaccompanied migrating children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants in all 50 states, El Salvador, Honduras, Kenya, and Mexico. USCRI advocates for the rights of refugees and immigrants both nationally and globally, helping to drive humanitarian policies, practices, and law. To learn more about our work, please visit our website at www.refugees.org.

OVERVIEW

Each year refugees and immigrants come to the United States to seek a better life and/or protection from persecution in their home country. To help them build their lives in the United States, USCRI offers pro-bono and low-bono legal services for these refugees and immigrants by providing competent and comprehensive immigration legal services through grant - and government-funded programs.

In Cleveland, Ohio, the Humanitarian Legal Services department invites rising third-year law students and recent law graduates to apply for an externally funded fellowship to work with us as a Legal Fellow to begin in the fall of 2027 for up to two years. We will support the selected candidate in applying for externally funded fellowships—including the Ohio Justice for All Fellowship, Skadden Fellowship Foundation, Equal Justice Works, and school-specific fellowships.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducting intakes and providing legal consultations to determine eligibility for legal relief;

• Preparing and submitting immigration applications for the following:

o Applications for VAWA, U-Visas, and T-Visas;

o Adjustment of Status;

o Asylum;

o Special Immigration Juvenile Status;

o Family reunification petitions;

o Consular processing;

o Temporary Protected Status;

o DACA;

o Waivers of inadmissibility; and

o Additional benefits such as employment authorization documents, travel documents, renewal of permanent resident cards, Certificates of Citizenship, and FOIAs;

• Making appropriate referrals to other service providers and relevant community partners;

• Representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, and the Board of Immigration Appeals, including attending immigration interviews, immigration court hearings, and Infopass appointments;

• Conducting outreach, leading trainings, and participating in networking activities;

• Maintaining bar membership through continuing legal education; and

• Other responsibilities as assigned by the Supervising Attorney.

The Legal Fellow will be expected to propose and work on a fellowship project related to immigration legal services. The specific details of the ultimate fellowship project will be created in consultation and collaboration with the potential supervisor(s).

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential functions. All duties indicated are not to be considered an exhaustive statement and other duties may be assigned as required by the supervisor(s).

REQUIREMENTS

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school (or expect one within the next year);

• Ability to be admitted to practice law in a U.S. jurisdiction by the summer of 2027;

• Meet external fellowship requirements;

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including strong writing and demonstrated intercultural communication ability;

• High-level of proficiency in MS Word, MS Access, MS Excel and database programs;

• Flexibility for occasional evening and community-based work required;

• Ukrainian or Russian language fluency preferred;

• Willingness to be part of a team and also work independently is desirable; and

• Demonstrated support of USCRI’s values by exhibiting respect for others, maintenance of confidential information and an appreciation of a multicultural workplace.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

• Satisfactory completion of USCRI’s Orientation and Training.

• Complete additional training as identified by supervisor or Human Resources.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Such accommodations must be requested by the applicant to be considered.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and will be accepted until August 14, 2026.

• Application Instructions: Submit one PDF with a packet that includes:

o A cover letter that includes the external funding sources available to you, including any school-specific fellowships;

o A one- or two-paragraph proposal for a fellowship project related to immigration legal services (please note that the specific details of the ultimate fellowship project will be created in consultation and collaboration with the potential supervisor(s));

o Your resume; and

o A writing sample.

• References will be required at time of the final interview.

• No telephone calls please. Position will remain open until it is filled.

• Work Location: In-person.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.