Catholic Migration Services(“CMS”), an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, provides high quality free legal services, community education, and advocacy for low- income immigrants residing in Brooklyn and Queens, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, or immigration status. CMS assists individuals with their immigration, housing, and employment legal needs. CMS is committed to “welcoming the stranger in our midst” by serving and working alongside underserved immigrant communities to advance equality and social justice in an ever-changing landscape.
The Paralegal will work in the Brooklyn office with our Pro Se Plus Project (PSPP), a collaborative initiative of several non-profit legal service providers and community organizations that was developed in 2023 to respond to the needs of newly arrived migrants from the southern border. PSPP provides support to immigrants representing themselves in immigration proceedings by providing community legal orientations; legal screenings; legal advice; and pro se assistance with various immigration applications, motions, and submissions. These services are provided both on a rolling basis and through scalable clinics and workshops. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about immigrant rights, energized to empower immigrant communities, and eager to participate in the development of an innovative project.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Conduct screenings, intake, and information collection regarding eligibility for immigration benefits;
- Prepare a variety of immigration applications and motions, on a pro se basis, including changes of address, motions to change venue, applications for asylum and work permits, etc.; file such motions and applications with the immigration court, ICE and USCIS;
- Assist in planning, developing and coordinating community legal orientations, volunteer trainings, and clinics;
- Participate in PSPP events, which sometimes may take place on evenings and weekends, such as legal clinics, educational events, or workshops held throughout the five boroughs;
- Maintain physical and electronic files for program participants; monitor the PSPP electronic interest form and PSPP waitlist; assist with internal and external reporting;
- Assist with Spanish/English translation of documents and oral interpretation;
- Assist in training, onboarding, tracking and maintaining communication with PSPP volunteers;
- Participate in regular team meetings; and provide additional support as needed.
