Summary:

The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (SIFI) of the SPLC seeks an experienced immigrants’ rights advocate to serve as a Project Coordinator in our New Orleans, Louisiana office to help shape its legal strategy in Louisiana and Mississippi.

The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative (SIFI), a project of the SPLC, enlists and trains volunteer attorneys, law students, and other individuals to provide free legal representation to detained immigrants facing deportation in the Southeast. Grounded in the values of centering clients, supporting the movement to end detention, and prioritizing staff wellbeing, our work supports the movement to end immigration detention and serves people confined in immigrant detention centers in Georgia and Louisiana. We stand with migrants in court, fight for their release from custody, work in multi-racial coalitions to dismantle the structures that perpetuate incarceration, join forces with partners to combine advocacy and class action litigation, and strive for a just and equitable climate from migrants in the Deep South.

Under supervision of SIFI staff, the Project Coordinator will assist the SIFI Louisiana legal team with case management and admin/paralegal support all aspects of our work with a focus on legal advocacy, including investigations, filing preparation and support, organization and management of case files, and other special projects. Project Coordinators may also be asked to assist with research related to legal casework or case development, and/or other issues related to the general mission of SIFI and the SPLC.

Primary Job Functions:

• Assist attorneys with case support including substantial document collection (i.e. document collection from clients/families, police and state court records) and management;
• Maintain case files and documents in paper files as well as in SIFI’s electronic case management systems, including daily scanning, downloads, and uploads;
• Maintain correspondence, including managing incoming and outgoing mail and FedEx and referrals/requests for assistance;
• Assist with legal filings, including electronic filing of pleadings and forms in immigration and federal court; service of process, removal defense/habeas assistance (i.e. drafting bond motions, drafting parole requests, medical record collection; trial/hearing preparation as needed (i.e. preparing hearing binders);
• Intake or screening potential clients for immigration relief, pro se assistance (i.e., filling out an asylum application); opening and closing case packets;
• Travel to various detention centers in Louisiana and Mississippi once conditions allow;
• Communicate and work with clients, community members, family members, stakeholders, and partners as required;
• Engage in data collection, aggregation and compilation for case development, strategy, litigation, advocacy and other purposes; and
• Work with remote teams on multi-strategy legal cases and advocacy campaigns.

Qualifications –

Education and Related Work Experience:

• At least two years of relevant work or life experience.
• Demonstrated commitment to working with migrant communities.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Strong document-gathering and management, file-systems, correspondence/referrals, follow-up, and organizational skills;
• Commitment to learning and developing anti-racism, and trauma-informed advocacy
• Commitment to working collaboratively in a team, a client-centered approach to advocacy and ability to work on delicate issues in a compassionate and sensitive manner;
• Must have continual attention-to-detail in composing, typing, and proofing materials, establishing priorities and meeting deadlines;
• Strong organizational skills, follow-through, and flexibility around changing priorities and deadlines;
• Strong analytical and writing skills;
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to develop new cases and legal initiatives;
• Understanding and sensitivity to issues client populations face;
• Proficiency in English and any other language;
• Commitment to ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion; and
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning.

Other Special Considerations:

This job is performed under general office conditions and is not subject to any strenuous physical demands or dangerous conditions.

This position is represented by the Washington-Baltimore News Guild.

Due to COVID-19, our offices are currently closed and staff is working remotely. If this position is filled while our offices remain closed, the new employee will work remotely until the offices reopen. We are not asking newly hired employees to relocate while the offices are closed.

Disclaimer:

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee in this position. These statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of a person in this position.

An Equal-Opportunity Employer with a Commitment to Diversity

Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and as an organization committed to diversity and the perspective of all voices, we consider applicants equally of race, gender, gender identity, color, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, disability, political affiliation, national origin, or prior record of arrest or conviction.