Deportation Defense Paralegal
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Job Location:
Albuquerque, NM - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
30+ days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Location: Offices in Albuquerque Las Cruces Santa Fe or El Paso TX. Regional travel .
Deportation and Defense Paralegal
Program Overview
NMILCs Deportation Defense Program provides free legal support for individuals held in regional immigration detention facilities and for non-detained asylum seekers. Our team delivers direct representation know-your-rights presentations family preparedness pro bono and social service referrals and advocacy aimed at advancing justice and ending immigrant detention.
About the Role
We seek a full-time Paralegal to support New Mexico residents facing ICE enforcement and individuals detained in immigration detention centers. This position requires traveling to detention sites working closely with attorneys and families and providing essential no-cost legal support for humanitarian relief seekers.
Key Responsibilities
Client & Case Support
- Schedule and coordinate client meetings prepare documentation assist with evidence gathering and conduct legal research.
- Serve as the primary liaison between attorneys clients and families to collect required information and maintain consistent communication.
- Monitor case status hearing dates deadlines and promptly update clients and family members.
- Prepare filings maintain
accurate case notes and records and ensure data is entered and tracked using Legal Server and other databases.
- Collaborate on direct representation activities family preparedness and law school clinic partnerships.
Administrative & File Management
- Organize and maintain client files (paper and electronic) and manage incoming/outgoing mail.
- Assist with printing copying scanning and filing documents for legal staff.
- Track statistical data for grant reporting and contribute to programmatic systems for files and records.
- Support team training on file maintenance and case management processes.
Calendar & Scheduling
- Record court hearing notices and deadlines; update client and team calendars; send invitations; help coordinate schedules.
Coordination & Communication
- Facilitate routine case openings closings and transfers ensure files are properly created organized scanned and stored.
- Generate response letters as needed and refer eligible clients to partner organizations for holistic services.
Additional Duties
- Translate documents and interpret between Spanish and English.
- Participate in outreach fundraising and organization-wide initiatives as needed.
- Assist with special projects trainings and presentations.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelors degree.
- Proficiency in written and spoken English and Spanish.
- Strong cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills.
- Valid drivers license and reliable transportation for travel.
- Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and basic database management.
- Highly organized and able to manage multiple cases under tight deadlines.
- Excellent analytical research and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently including in high-volume or crisis situations.
- High ethical standards able to maintain confidentiality.
- Pass federal and state background checks.
- Commitment to immigrant rights and NMILCs mission and values .
Preferred Skills & Experience
- 6 months to 1 year of relevant office or legal experience.
- Familiarity with asylum and detention work.
- Prior client interviewing especially with trauma survivors or humanitarian immigration contexts.
- Previous work or internships in nonprofit legal services.
- Advocacy work in immigrant rights.
- Experience with databases and case tracking (Legal Server).
Salary and Benefits
This is a full-time position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographic area and is commensurate with experience. Starting salary for the Paralegal position is $23/hour with upward adjustments for additional years of relevant paralegal experience.
NMILC currently offers a generous benefits package including;
- 100% of Individual Employee Health Premium paid by NMILC for the Base Plan and 50% for dependents. Buy-up Plan also available.
- Access to a 401K plan and discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary (determined each fiscal year based on funding projections);
- Optional Flexible Spending Account for pre-tax funds for medical and/or dependent care cost.
Benefits may be subject to change at any time based on changes to the organizations budget.
NMILC also recognizes the value of creating an environment of positive work/life balance acknowledging that investing in staffs ability to take care of themselves and their families enables them to do their best work. The plan currently includes:
- Flexible work schedule and hybrid remote work options;
- 15 paid vacation days (3 weeks) annually;
- 1 earned sick leave hour for every 30 hours worked;
- Company-paid federal holidays in addition to 2 weeks of winter break 1 week for spring break and 1 week for summer break and other days as established in coordination with the local public school schedule.
Required Experience:
Junior IC
Key Skills
- Legal Drafting
- Proofreading
- Google Docs
- Organizational skills
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Case Management
- Legal Research
- Research Experience
- Paralegal
- Filing
- Writing Skills
About Company
The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center's mission is to advance justice and equity by empowering low-income immigrant communities through collaborative legal services, advocacy, and education in New Mexico.
