INTERNSHIP ANNOUNCEMENT: 2024 SUMMER LEGAL INTERNSHIPS

Catholic Migration Services (“CMS”) is currently accepting 2024 summer legal internship applications for our Tenant Advocacy, Immigration, and Workers Rights’ Programs.  CMS is a nonprofit provider of legal services primarily serving low-income residents of Brooklyn and Queens and is an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens.

Interns will be responsible for legal research, drafting legal memoranda and other documents, factual investigation, assisting in hearing/trial preparation, development of educational and outreach materials, client interviewing, and a host of other needs that arise in CMS litigation and advocacy efforts. Interns also may have opportunities to observe CMS attorneys in court or administrative agency proceedings.

The Tenant Advocacy Program (“TAP”) at CMS assists tenants – primarily residents of Queens – with a wide array of housing-related legal services ranging from brief advice to full representation in court proceedings. TAP assists tenants with matters such as eviction defense, obtaining needed repairs, combatting landlord harassment and rent overcharges, obtaining renewal leases, and obtaining rent increase exemptions for seniors and persons with disabilities. We typically litigate cases in Queens Housing Court and at administrative agencies, and also periodically represent clients in Queens Supreme Court and the Second Department. Because TAP also has tenant organizers, our legal team and organizers collaborate to lead community education events and bring group cases.

The Immigration Program at CMS is comprised of three units: Removal Defense, Affirmative Filings, and Naturalization. Removal Defense represents immigrants who are before Immigration Court seeking forms of relief such as defensive asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, cancellation of removal for lawful permanent residents and non-lawful permanent residents, motions to reopen, and 212(C) waivers. The Removal Defense team also files affirmative asylum petitions, U visas, T visas and I-130 family based petitions associated with a removal case before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). The affirmative filings team files R visas, religious worker petitions, consular processing family petitions, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions, I-130 family petitions, inadmissibility waivers, I-90 green card renewals, and adjustment of status applications. The Naturalization team submits naturalization applications and N-600 (application for certificate of citizenship for people who derived or acquired US citizenship through their parents) applications before USCIS.  We are seeking summer interns to assist with our removal defense and affirmative work.

The Workers’ Rights Program at CMS works towards strengthening the enforcement of workers’ rights through affirmative litigation, policy reform, individual representation, and community education. In collaboration with workers’ centers and community-based organizations citywide, the Workers’ Rights Program provides advice and representation to hundreds of low-income and immigrant workers each year facing a range of problems, including wage theft, entitlement to paid and unpaid leave (family leave, sick leave, etc…), discrimination, unemployment insurance, and other basic workplace rights.  The Workers’ Rights Program represents clients at various city, state and federal enforcement agencies, as well as in state and federal courts.

General Information

Applicants should be currently enrolled in an ABA accredited law school.  The internship is unpaid, however CMS will support the applicant’s effort to obtain funding from outside sources (e.g., their law school, Equal Justice America, etc.).

Application Instructions

Interested applicants should email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample directly to the program to which they are applying: For Immigration Internships (Please direct your application materials to the intended unit):

Lynn Neugebauer
Supervising Attorney, Removal Defense Project
Email: lneugebauer@catholicmigration.org

Christopher Holtz
Supervising Attorney, Affirmative Filings Unit
Email: choltz@catholicmigration.org

For Tenant Advocacy Internships:

Jonathan Cohen
Managing Attorney, Tenant Advocacy Program
Email: jcohen@catholicmigration.org

For Workers’ Rights Internships:

Alice Davis
Managing Attorney, Workers’ Rights Program
Email: adavis@catholicmigration.org

Download this Fellowship Opportunity as a pdf: 2024 Summer Legal Internship Posting

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: PART TIME ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Catholic Migration Services (“CMS”), a nonprofit provider of legal services and affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, is seeking a part-time Administrative Assistant for its Removal Defense Program (RDP) and Pro Se Plus Project (PSPP).  CMS provides free legal services to low-income immigrants in the areas of immigration, housing and employment law.  Our RDP team provides legal assistance and representation to non-detained individuals in removal proceedings.  PSPP is part of RDP and provides pro se assistance with certain applications to those who cannot find legal representation. More information about our organization and our work is available at www.catholicmigration.org.

The Administrative Assistant will support RDP and PSPP teams at both our Brooklyn and Queens offices and will be based in the Brooklyn office. The Administrative Assistant must be punctual, well-organized, and have the capacity to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide support to RDP and PSPP teams, including assistance making appointments, copying/scanning documents, mailing, filing, communicating with clients, taking filings to immigration court, and monitoring PSPP’s online screening system;
• Answer and manage phone calls and text messages from clients, prospective clients, and PSPP participants; make appointments, provide appropriate requested information to visitors, staff, clients and program participants;
• Help coordinate logistics for on-site and off-site legal clinics and events; and
• Data entry into our client database.

Qualifications

• Intermediate computer skills; working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Fluency in Spanish;
• Ability and experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and communities;
• Excellent communication and organizational skills; and
• College Graduate preferred (minimum of High School diploma).

Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy

CMS values workplace diversity and welcomes applicants and employees of all backgrounds. CMS strives to create a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff.  CMS makes all employment decisions without regard to any applicant’s or employee’s protected characteristics, including their race, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest or conviction record, or marital status.

Salary and Benefits

CMS offers a competitive salary and benefits package and generous leave policies.  Salary is based on a Union salary scale.  The salary range for individuals with one to three years of experience is $28,537 to $29,577 for a 20 hour work week.

Union Representation

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW, Local 2325.

Application Instructions

This position is available immediately, and applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  To apply, email a cover letter and resume to Magdalena Barbosa, Legal Director at mbarbosa@catholicmigration.org.  Please include “Administrative Assistant Application” in the subject line.

Download this Fellowship Opportunity as a pdf: Part Time Administrative Assistant

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: PARALEGAL, PRO SE PLUS PROJECT

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 new Pro Se Plus Project (PSPP), a collaborative initiative of several non-profit legal service providers and community organizations that was developed to respond to the needs of newly arrived migrants from the southern border. PSPP provides support to immigrants representing themselves in immigration cases by providing community legal orientations, trainings for advocates, legal screenings, and pro se assistance with various immigration applications, 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:

• Assist in planning, developing and coordinating community legal orientations, volunteer trainings, and clinics;
• 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; file such motions and applications with the immigration court, ICE and USCIS;
• Participate in on-site and virtual PSPP events, which may take place on evenings and weekends, such as legal clinics, educational events, or workshops held throughout the five boroughs;
• Assist with Spanish/English or Haitian Creole/English translation of documents and oral interpretation;
• Assist in training, onboarding, tracking and maintaining communication with PSPP volunteers;
• Maintain physical and electronic files for program participants; monitor the PSPP electronic interest form and PSPP waitlist; assist with internal and external reporting; and
• Provide additional support as needed.

Qualifications:

• Required
  • Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree;
  • Fluency in written and oral Spanish or Haitian Creole; .
  • Experience working with immigrant communities of color, including those who have experienced trauma;
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently or as part of a team;
  • Strong, clear, and effective communication skills;
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills;
  • Meticulous attention to detail;
  • Excellent computer skills;
  • Availability to travel throughout the five boroughs.
• Preferred, but not required:
  • Prior or related immigration experience;
  • Demonstrated interest in public interest work and social justice for underserved populations.

Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy:

Catholic Migration Services values workplace diversity and welcomes applicants and employees of all backgrounds. CMS strives to create a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. CMS makes all employment decisions without regard to any applicant’s or employee’s protected characteristics, including their race, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest conviction record, or marital status.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is on a union scale based on years of experience. The salary range for an immigration paralegal with one to six years of experience is $49,939.20 to $56.181.60. CMS offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, transit benefits, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a 403(b) retirement plan including employer contribution. We offer generous leave policies, including four weeks paid vacation, four paid personal days, fourteen paid holidays and the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Days, inclusive.

Union Representation:

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW, Local 2325.

 Application Instructions:

Applications will be accepted immediately and will be considered on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, list of two professional references and a writing sample to: Raluca Oncioiu, Managing Attorney at roncioiu@catholicmigration.org. Please include “PSPP Paralegal” in the subject line.

Download this Fellowship Opportunity as a pdf: Paralegal, Pro Se Plus Project

FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY: FALL 2024

Catholic Migration Services, a nonprofit provider of free legal services, and an affiliated agency of Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens, is seeking a candidate to sponsor for a post-graduate legal fellowship in our tenant advocacy or immigration programs starting in the fall of 2024 (applications to fellowship foundations due fall 2023).   Fellowship programs include the Skadden Fellowship Foundation and similar programs.

Qualifications:

• Applicants should be rising third-year law students, recent law graduates with judicial clerkships beginning in the fall of 2024, or current judicial law clerks;
• Admission to the New York Bar, or taking the New York Bar Exam not later than July 2024;
• Proficiency in a second language is strongly preferred, including but not limited to Spanish, Kreyol, French, Mandarin, Cantonese or Arabic;
• A demonstrated interest in public service, including but not limited to serving low-income immigrants or tenants is strongly preferred; and
• Strong oral advocacy skills, as well as analytical and writing skills.

Application Process:

Please send a cover letter, resume, law school transcript and list of three references by email to Magdalena Barbosa, Legal Director, at mbarbosa@catholicmigration.org.  Inclusion of a fellowship project proposal (i.e., what work within the tenant advocacy or immigration arena you propose to do) is recommended, but not required.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis through September 1, 2023.

Additional Information:

Catholic Migration Services values workplace diversity and welcomes applicants of all backgrounds. Catholic Migration Services makes all employment decisions without regard to any applicant’s or employee’s protected characteristics, including their race, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest conviction record, or marital status. Catholic Migration Services is unionized under the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW, Local 2325.

Download this Fellowship Opportunity as a pdf: Fellowship Opportunity for Fall 2024

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: STAFF ATTORNEY – HOUSING UNIT

About Catholic Migration Services:
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 Tenant Advocacy Program assists Queens residents on a wide-range of legal matters, provides know-your-rights education and organizes tenants to assert their rights and advocate for better housing laws. The attorney will provide legal representation for individual tenants and tenant groups in Queens, and will collaborate with CMS’ tenant organizers, as well as with attorneys and staff from the other CMS programs to ensure that clients receive holistic legal services.

The attorney will be based in our Sunnyside, Queens office. As of September 6^th, CMS staff will work three days in the office and two days remotely until further notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent clients in housing-related litigation matters, including but not limited to individual and group cases, such as nonpayment proceedings, holdover proceedings and HP actions in Housing Court; administrative proceedings at DHCR and the New York City Commission on Human Rights; and Article 78 proceedings in Supreme Court;
• Conduct intake and provide legal advice to tenants we are unable to represent;
• Work with CMS’ organizers to provide legal services in collaboration with our tenant organizing efforts;
• Assist in community outreach and education efforts related to housing legal services;
• Assist in planning and implementation of strategic projects related to housing legal services;
• Manage caseload and maintain client files in good working order. Maintain and update case list and client and case information in case management database; and
• Participate in staff meetings and case reviews.

Qualifications:

• Admission to or pending admission to the New York State Bar;
• Strong commitment to social and economic justice, and community empowerment;
• Ability to regularly travel to Queens Housing Court and community events;
• Excellent written, oral and analytical skills;
• Excellent organizational skills;
• Basic computer skills;
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently; and
• Ability and experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and communities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of previous experience practicing in housing law;
• Experience as a community organizer, or working with community organizers; and
• Competency in one or more languages (other than English) commonly spoken in Queens.

Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy:

Catholic Migration Services values workplace diversity and welcomes applicants and employees of all backgrounds. CMS strives to create a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff. CMS makes all employment decisions without regard to any applicant’s or employee’s protected characteristics, including their race, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest conviction record, or marital status. BIPOC, women, people with disabilities, LBGTQIA+ candidates, and those who have experienced housing insecurity are encouraged to apply.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is on a union scale based on years of experience. The salary range for an attorney with two to six years of experience is $74,322.01 to $83,856.24. CMS offers a very competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, transit benefits, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a 403(b) retirement plan including employer contribution. We offer generous leave policies, including four weeks paid vacation, four paid personal days, fourteen paid holidays and the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Days, inclusive.

Union Representation:

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW, Local 2325.

Application Instructions:

Applications will be accepted immediately and will be considered on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Magdalena Barbosa, Legal Director at mbarbosa@catholicmigration.org.

Download this job announcement as a pdf: Staff Attorney – Housing Unit

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT: PARALEGAL, REMOVAL DEFENSE TEAM

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 agency’s Removal Defense team in our Immigration unit to provide direct services and to support the work of the team. Our Removal Defense team provides legal assistance and representation to non-detained individuals in removal proceedings.  The paralegal may be encouraged to attend immigration trainings with a view to becoming an accredited representative with the US Department of Justice. This is a unique opportunity for someone passionate about immigrant rights and energized to empower immigrant communities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct screenings, intake, and information collection regarding eligibility for immigration benefits;
• Prepare a variety of immigration applications, affidavits and supporting documents for cases including Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, Violence Against Women Act, U and T visas, and Cancellation of Removal;
• Retrieve records for clients such as birth certificates, criminal histories, tax records, medical records, etc.;
• Submit filings to USCIS and EOIR;
• Conduct country condition and other factual research;
• Manage caseload and maintain client files in good working order. Maintain and update client and case information in case management database;
• Help with Spanish/English translation of documents, including birth and marriage certificates and oral interpretation, including during psychological evaluations;
• Help clients access social services through referrals and by enrollment assistance;
• Assist in training and onboarding volunteers;
• Communicate regularly and in a timely manner with assigned clients, keeping them informed of case status, answering general questions, and scheduling meetings as needed;
• Participate in CMS staff meetings and case review;
• Attend immigration trainings and keep up to date with all relevant legal updates.
• Participate in Catholic Migration Services functions on evenings and weekends, such as legal clinics, educational events, or workshops held at parishes or community based organizations;
• Copy, scan and otherwise assist in the preparation of client application packages for relief from removal and other immigration benefits; and
• Provide additional support as needed.
•  

Qualifications:

• Required
  • Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree;
  • Strong, clear, and effective communication skills;
  • Fluency in written and oral Spanish;
  • Demonstrated ability to take initiative and work independently or as part of a team;
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills;
  • Meticulous attention to detail;
  • Intermediate computer skills.
• Preferred, but not required:
  • Prior or related immigration experience;
  • Demonstrated interest in public interest work and social justice for underserved populations;
  • Demonstrated ability and experience working with clients from diverse backgrounds and who have experienced trauma.

Diversity and Non-Discrimination Policy:

Catholic Migration Services values workplace diversity and welcomes applicants and employees of all backgrounds. CMS strives to create a positive, supportive, and inclusive work environment for all staff.  CMS makes all employment decisions without regard to any applicant’s or employee’s protected characteristics, including their race, religion, color, national origin, immigration status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, arrest conviction record, or marital status.

Salary and Benefits:

Salary is on a union scale based on years of experience. The salary range for an immigration paralegal with two to six years of experience is $49,725 to $55,080. CMS offers a very competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance coverage, transit benefits, Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a 403(b) retirement plan including employer contribution. We offer generous leave policies, including four weeks paid vacation, four paid personal days, fourteen paid holidays and the week off between Christmas and New Year’s Days, inclusive.  

Union Representation:

This is a bargaining unit position represented for collective bargaining purposes by the Association of Legal Aid Attorneys, UAW, Local 2325. 

Application Instructions:

Applications will be accepted immediately and will be considered on a rolling basis. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, list of two professional references and a writing sample to: Raluca Oncioiu, Managing Attorney at roncioiu@catholicmigration.org. Please include “Removal Defense, Paralegal” in the subject line.

Download this job announcement as a pdf: Paralegal, Removal Defense Team