Organization Description
Asylee Women Enterprise (AWE) is a Baltimore-based 501(c)(3) organization supporting asylum seekers, immigrant survivors of trafficking, and other forced migrants of all genders as they rebuild their lives in Maryland. Founded in 2011, AWE provides trauma-informed, holistic services designed to address the complex and interconnected needs of individuals and families seeking humanitarian protection in the US. AWE’s services include intensive case management, immigration legal services, access to healthcare and mental health support through onsite community partners, youth programming, housing and food security support, and ESL classes.
About the AWE Immigration Legal Services Program
AWE’s Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team operates within an interdisciplinary, collaborative model of care. Rather than functioning as a standalone legal program, the ILS team works closely with AWE case managers and partner organizations to support clients already enrolled in broader holistic services. Many clients are simultaneously receiving intensive case management, mental health services, and medical care through AWE and its partner organizations. This model recognizes that immigration legal needs are often closely connected to trauma, health, housing instability, financial insecurity, and other social determinants that affect clients’ well-being and ability to engage in legal processes.
The ILS team represents clients in a range of humanitarian immigration matters, including asylum (defensive and affirmative), T visas, U visas, SIJS, employment authorization, adjustment of status, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Position Summary
The Immigration Staff Attorney provides direct legal representation and legal counsel to asylum seekers, immigrant survivors of trafficking and torture, and other forced migrants seeking humanitarian immigration relief before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and federal immigration court. The Attorney maintains a diverse caseload that may include asylum matters, T visas, U visas, SIJS, employment authorization applications, adjustment of status, and related immigration filings and proceedings. Responsibilities include conducting legal screenings and intakes, preparing applications and supporting documentation, representing clients before immigration agencies and courts, maintaining accurate case records and grant compliance, and participating in legal education, outreach, and training initiatives. This position is fully in-person and based out of AWE’s office in Baltimore, Maryland.
Responsibilities
- Conduct legal screenings, and consultations with individuals seeking immigration legal services, and advise clients on available forms of relief through accurate interpretation of current immigration law.
- Provide direct legal representation to clients in humanitarian immigration matters, including asylum, SIJS, T visas, U visas, employment authorization applications, adjustment of status, and related filings, and motions.
- Prepare and submit applications, declarations, briefs, supporting documentation, correspondence, and other filings before USCIS, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and related agencies.
- Manage an independent caseload while ensuring high-quality legal representation.
- Maintain regular communication with clients regarding case status, legal options, deadlines, and requests for information or documentation.
- Collaborate with AWE staff and partner providers to support coordinated client care and safety planning.
- Maintain accurate, organized, and timely case files, database records, and documentation in accordance with organizational policies, grant requirements, and risk management procedures.
- Ensure compliance with grant metrics, reporting requirements, case deadlines, and internal quality control standards.
- Participate in outreach, legal orientations, Know Your Rights and other trainings, and relationship-building activities with community organizations, government agencies, and other legal service providers.
- Maintain active bar membership and participate in ongoing professional development related to immigration law and trauma-informed practice.
- Remain informed about developments in immigration law, policy, and best practices impacting immigrant and forced migrant communities.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an accredited law school, or an LLM with bar admission in a US jurisdiction.
- Current bar admission in good standing in any US state, territory, or the District of Columbia.
- Experience working in immigration law, including humanitarian immigration matters.
- Strong commitment to serving forced migrants and immigrant communities, and providing to trauma-informed, client-centered, and culturally responsive services.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills and experience with legal research and writing in the immigration context.
- Comfortable working with interpreters and using translation services.
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.
- Willingness to develop and maintain expertise in humanitarian forms of immigration relief.
- Ability to work in-person five days a week.
Preferred Qualifications
- Conversational or professional fluency in Spanish, French, or Arabic.
- Experience representing clients before immigration court and/or the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Working Environment
Standard office environment at our office in Northeast Baltimore.
Physical Requirements
Sitting, bending, standing; ability to regularly lift up to 25Ibs
Equal Opportunity Statement
Asylee Women Enterprise is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and an inclusive culture. AWE encourages applications from all qualified individuals and does not discriminate, and will not tolerate discrimination, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, political affiliation, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $84,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
