Harvard Immigration Project

Welcome Class of 2015

smoore — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 21:19:18 +0000

Welcome HLS Class of 2015!

HIP is a Student Practice Organization that offers opportunities for students to gain practical and meaningful experience in immigration law and to serve immigrant communities with high-quality legal advocacy through four main projects:

Direct representation of Iraqi refugee petitioners through the Iraqi Refugee Assistance Project;
Direct representation of individuals in deportation proceedings through our Bond Hearing Representation;
Immigration Services for clients who seek adjustment of status, family derivative claims, and other follow-up immigration services; and
Know-Your-Rights community outreach and education campaigns.

In addition to these student practice opportunities, we are committed to being a resource for students interested in immigration policy and the rights of noncitizens in the United States. To this end, we also host a number of events and trainings for members throughout the school year including speakers, career and academic advising, and direct action campaigns.

Please feel free to email hip@mail.law.harvard.edu or visit our website http://hlsorgs.com/hip/ if you would like to learn more about HIP’s student practice projects and events, talk to HLS students engaged in immigration law and advocacy, or have questions generally.

We look forward to meeting you!

Summer Moore-Estes and Paige Austin

Harvard Immigration Project Co-Presidents, 2012-2013

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project – Bilingual (Spanish) Staff Attorney

Harvard Law School — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 14:27:15 +0000

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks a Spanish-speaking bilingual attorney to work with detained individuals at the Northwest Detention Center, a regional immigration detention facility that houses 1200-1575 people from Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and overflow from other states.

A significant portion of the attorneys responsibilities will be to provide legal services under the Legal Orientation Program (LOP), which is funded by the Executive Office for Immigration Review and managed by the Vera Institute. Through the LOP, NWIRP staff give detained individuals essential information about court procedures and available options for legal relief prior to their immigration hearing. The LOP consists of four primary components: (1) group orientations; (2) individual sessions; (3) self-help training in the form of pro se workshops; and (4) referral of cases to pro bono attorneys. Information about the LOP can be found at the Department of Justice website (http://www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/probono.htm) and the Vera Institute website (http://www.vera.org/project/legal-orientation-program).

In addition to LOP work, roughly half of the attorney’s time will be spent providing direct representation to detained persons in removal proceedings, including representation at the Tacoma or Seattle Immigration Courts, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit court of appeals.

This position will be located at the NWIRP office in Tacoma, Washington.
Tacoma is located approximately 35 miles south of Seattle.

RESPONSIBILITIES
* Provide direct representation to detained clients in Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Court or before the federal courts, and before the Department of Homeland Security, under funding separate from LOP;
* Conduct daily presentations, workshops and consultations in Spanish and English to persons
detained at the immigration detention center in Tacoma, Washington;
* Conduct self-help workshops for unrepresented detainees seeking relief from removal;
* Communicate regularly with stakeholders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the
Tacoma Immigration Court, and Geo Group (private contractor for the facility);
* Perform administrative tasks related to LOP;
* Maintain a working knowledge of significant policies, laws and trends in immigration law,
particularly as it impacts low-income immigrants and refugees ; and
* Engage in outreach and education in the area of immigrant rights.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND ATTRIBUTES
* Law degree (will consider a law student scheduled to graduate in spring of 2012);
* Admission to the bar of any state in the U.S. (will consider a law student or recent law graduate scheduled to take the bar in July of 2012);
* Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights;
* Excellent written and oral communication skills;
* Commitment to working in a diverse and challenging working environment;
* Fluent in English and Spanish;
* Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently; and
* Proficiency in use of MS Word, MS Access, and MS Excel.
Beginning salary is $43,160 or DOE, plus benefits. Applicant is expected to start no later than June 2012.

To APPLY

Send cover letter, resume and references to: betsy@nwirp.org with the subject Tacoma Staff Attorney Application. Position is open until filled; full consideration will be given to those who apply by April 13, 2012.

Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project (FIRRP) – Florence Staff Attorney

Harvard Law School — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:20:37 +0000

The Florence Project has an opening for a staff attorney on our Florence team, with a start date of August 6, 2012. The staff attorney provides pro bono legal services to over 1,000 men held in four detention centers in the town of Florence, Arizona. The staff attorney will work on a team of three (two staff attorneys and one legal assistant) providing group know your rights presentations, individual intakes, group and individual court counseling and prep sessions, and pro se services to immigrants facing removal proceedings before the Florence Immigration Court. On a limited basis, the staff attorney will also fully represent detainees in merits proceedings before the Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals. The staff attorney will also supervise law student interns and other volunteers, refer cases to the Projects pro bono coordinator and social services coordinator, and participate in related advocacy and outreach projects.

The position is available August 1st with an application deadline of April 15th. The position is based out of the Project’s main office in Florence, a prison town approximately one hour south of Phoenix and one and a half hours north of Tucson. Starting salary is $35,000. Benefits include medical, dental, vision as well as generous vacation and leave policy. May also qualify for limited Arizona loan repayment program in the fall of 2012.

Requirements

Fluency in Spanish is required. The applicant must be licensed to practice law in any state or have sat for the July bar exam. We seek applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to immigration issues and public interest law, who enjoy working in a collaborative, high volume, and energetic work environment, and who are flexible team players. Prior advocacy, practice, or clinical experience in immigration or criminal law and experience working with indigent clients is preferred.

Application Process

To apply, please email a resume, letter of interest, three references, and writing sample to Lindsay Marshall, Executive Director, at lmarshall@firrp.org. The Florence Project recognizes the value of diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, persons with disabilities, and members of under-represented or disadvantaged communities.

Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project – Children’s Staff Attorney

Harvard Law School — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:19:35 +0000

he Florence Project’s Detained Immigrant and Refugee Children’s Initiative educates, empowers and provides legal assistance to unaccompanied immigrant children in removal proceedings in Phoenix, Arizona. All of the children served are held in shelters, group homes, or long term foster care overseen by the Office of Refugee Resettlement .

The children’s staff attorney will work on a team of five (one managing attorney, two staff attorneys, and two legal assistants) providing know your rights presentations at shelters, individual intakes, pre-court counseling sessions, and representation in front of the immigration court, family court, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The position includes extensive client contact with children, including indigenous children and children who have suffered abuse, abandonment, neglect or other emotional and physical trauma. The position also provides the opportunity to participate in outreach activities and collaborative projects within a national network of legal service providers for unaccompanied immigrant minors.

The position is open beginning in July 2012, with an application deadline of April 15th. The Florence Projects main office is based in Florence, but the position is based in a satellite office space in Phoenix, with travel to Florence one day a month. Starting salary is $35,000. Benefits include medical, dental, vision as well as generous vacation and leave policy.

Requirements

Fluency in Spanish is required. The applicant must be barred in Arizona, be eligible to sit for the July bar exam in Arizona, or have two years of good standing in another state bar to waive into practice in Arizona. We are seeking applicants who have a demonstrated commitment to immigration issues and public interest law who enjoy working in a collaborative, client centered, and high volume work environment. Prior advocacy or academic experience in immigration law and experience working with teenagers is preferred.

Application Process

Please send a cover letter and a resume with 3 references to Lindsay Marshall, Executive Director at lmarshall@firrp.org. The Florence Project recognizes the value of diversity in the workplace and strongly encourages applications from people of color, LGBTQ individuals, individuals with disabilities and members of under-represented or disadvantaged communities.

SPLC Montgomery Office Staff Attorney Position Open

Harvard Law School — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 21:17:49 +0000

The Southern Poverty Law Center seeks a staff attorney to join its Montgomery, Alabama office. The Center is a national non-profit organization dedicated to reducing bigotry and oppression through litigation, public education, and community organizing. The Center is exploring emerging legal issues affecting low-income people in the Southeast, such as consumer lending, employment and housing discrimination, public benefits, and other economic justice concerns.

We are looking to hire an attorney with excellent research and writing skills, a strong academic background (preferably including a judicial clerkship), and a demonstrated commitment to public interest law and economic justice issues. The position provides a very competitive salary and excellent benefits, including a generous 401(k) plan.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, three references, and a law school transcript, preferably by e-mail to humanresources@splcenter.org. The application deadline is 04/11/2012.

Due to the high volume of applications received by the Center, the legal department is unable to respond to inquiries by telephone.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, or status with regard to public assistance.

Law Student Intern: Catholic Migration Office

Harvard Law School — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:59:07 +0000

Catholic Migration Services provides Immigration, Housing, and Employment legal services to low-income residents of Queens and Brooklyn, NY. Our legal services programs are linked to education, organizing, and advocacy efforts aimed to address social justice issues affecting local immigrant communities. We are seeking applications from rising second and third year law students for summer internship positions. Interns will work with our staff of attorneys, counselors, and community organizers in the following areas:

- Immigration: interns will assist clients with the preparation of affirmative filings including family-based petitions, citizenship applications, and renewal of temporary protected status. Interns may also assist attorneys in our representation of individuals facing removal and deportation. Interns will also assist in outreach and advocacy efforts of our organization in relation to immigration reform.

- Housing: interns will assist in our representation of low-income immigrant tenants in eviction proceedings and affirmative litigation on behalf of tenants to promote dignified and affordable housing. Interns will participate in outreach efforts including tenant organizing, community meetings and collaborative events with other non-profit community based organizations.

- Employment: interns will work primarily in CMSs new Immigrant Wage Rights Project building the collective power of immigrant workers to end wage theft through popular education, legal representation, and organizing.

All three program areas are currently accepting applications for Law Student Summer Interns. Spanish Language ability strongly preferred, but not required. These positions are unpaid, but CMS will help facilitate Law School credit or stipend.

How to apply:
Interested and qualified applicants may email resume, cover letter, and unofficial law school transcript to Joshua Butnick at cmo.itap@gmail.com. Deadline: April 20

BREAKING NEWS: DHS approves TPS for Syrian Nationals

Harvard Law School — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 16:19:24 +0000

As reported by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee:

“The TPS designation will be effective for 18 months. Before the end of the TPS designation period, the DHS Secretary will review the conditions in Syria and determine whether the conditions that led to the TPS designation continue to be met. Unless a determination is made that those conditions are no longer met, the TPS designation will be extended for 6, 12, or 18 months. If the conditions that led to the TPS designation are no longer met, the Secretary will terminate the TPS designation.”

Click here for more information.

Summer Intern: Brazilian Immigrant Center

Harvard Law School — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:46:30 +0000

Founded in 1995 by Brazilian Immigrants, the Brazilian Immigrant Center is a worker’s center and community nonprofit dedicated to advancing social justice through organizing, education, and legal representation. Over 16 years, BIC has established itself as the most trusted organization serving greater Boston’s large Brazilian community.

The Brazilian Immigrant Center is currently interviewing applicants for summer internship positions. Applicants will be considered for the three following BIC programs:

1) BIC’s Worker’s Rights Project

The workers rights project is BICs longest running program. The center conducts walk-in intake regarding wage and hour claims, negotiates with employers, and works with state and federal agencies to recover stolen wages. In addition to recovering wages, BIC conducts know-your-rights workshops and workplace safety trainings. The workers rights intern would be involved at all stages of the process, conduct intake, communicate with government agencies and negotiate with employers. Interns may also have the opportunity to appear on behalf of workers in small claims court with 3:03 certification and judicial approval.

2) BIC’s Immigration Justice Project

BICs Immigration Justice Project represents indigent immigrants in deportation proceedings, develops Portuguese language know-your-rights materials, hosts immigration law workshops, and assists low-income immigrants with routine immigration procedures. In particular, the project is focused on representing detained immigrants, immigrants with criminal records and others that face substantial obstacles to representation. Interns will have the opportunity to meet with clients, attend immigration court hearings, research immigration issues and generate know-your-rights materials. There may also be opportunities to help with other BIC projects. With permission of the Immigration Judge, 2Ls and 3Ls may be able to receive 3:03 certification and appear in Immigration Court.

3) BIC’s Domestic Worker Law and Policy Clinic

BICs Domestic Law and Policy Clinic is the only clinic of its kind in the country, combining organizing and direct services and focused exclusively on the rights of domestic workers. Currently, the clinic is involved in precedent-setting litigation, is developing a manual on Massachusetts domestic worker law and is training domestic workers and employers to mediate workplace disputes. An intern in this department would assist the clinics director in all aspects of the clinics work including, legal research, worker organizing, litigation and mediation training.

Applicants:
- Foreign language fluency strongly preferred (especially Portuguese and Spanish.)
- 1Ls, 2Ls and 3Ls will be considered.
- Please note that BIC is not able to provide compensation to summer interns. Applicants are encouraged to contact Equal Justice America, Equal Justice Works, or law school administrators regarding funding.

Contact:
- Worker’s Rights Project: Lydia Edwards Lydia@braziliancenter.org
- Immigration Justice Project: Schuyler Pisha: Schuyler@braziliancenter.org
- Domestic Worker Law and Policy Clinic: Lydia Edwards Lydia@braziliancenter.org

SPLC Immigrant Justice Project Staff Attorney

Harvard Law School — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 13:44:32 +0000

The Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit legal and educational organization, seeks an experienced attorney to join its Immigrant Justice Project. This full-time position will start in early-to-mid October, and the selected candidate may opt to work from our Atlanta, GA, or Montgomery, AL, office.

The Southern Poverty Law Center is a national non-profit organization that is dedicated to reducing bigotry and oppression through education and litigation. Currently, the Centers areas of legal advocacy include juvenile justice, immigrant justice, education, and combating hate groups. Our legal agenda can be found at http://www.splcenter.org/legal/legal.jsp.

The Immigrant Justice Project focuses on the employment and civil rights of migrant workers, other immigrants, and their families. The project brings high-impact immigrant rights cases in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

To apply, please email your resume to humanresources@splcenter.org.

Application deadline: 4/11/2012

2012 Summer Internship Position with Center of Legal and Social Study in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Harvard Law School — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 23:21:20 +0000

Summer internship opportunity: The Center of Legal and Social Study (CELS) in Buenos Aires, Argentina is looking for a Spanish-speaking Harvard law student who would work collaboratively with CELS as well as with CAREF, the Argentine Refugee Commission, and with the University of Buenos Aires (BA) Legal Clinic on the Rights of Immigrants and Refugees. The intern would have a range of responsibilities, including working on immigration and refugee cases and attending classes at the BA law school. Among the objects of the internship would be to determine parallels and/or differences between Argentine refugee law and U.S. asylum law, and to help develop a relationship between the BA clinic and the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic for the future. This is an exciting opportunity to explore in detail what an immigration and refugee clinic does in another country and the ways we can collaborate in pedagogy and advocacy around immigrant rights issues. If interested, please email a cover letter and resume to Sabi Ardalan at sardalan@law.harvard.edu