HANA Center (HANA) is a Chicago-area non-profit organization working to meet the critical needs of Korean, Asian American, and multiethnic immigrant communities and build power toward systemic change. HANA Center has offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights, Illinois.

HANA’s Immigration & Legal Services support 5,000 community members each year to access critical protections and build their legal capacity through completion of citizenship and DACA applications, participation in civic classes, pro bono legal consultation, Know Your Rights training, and legal representation for Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, TPS, FOIA, consular processing, asylum, bond hearing, and removal defense cases.

The Immigration Attorney is responsible for providing high quality immigration legal services for low-income, multiethnic immigrants in Chicago and the northwest suburbs. The Immigration Attorney works closely with HANA’s fully accredited DOJ representative to provide direct legal services to eligible community members, supervise legal support staff, and conduct program outreach. Common cases handled by the attorney include Adjustment of Status, VAWA, U-Visa, T-Visa, TPS, FOIA, and asylum.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct representation for community members seeking various forms of immigration relief
• Supervise case management including but not limited to maintaining and reviewing client files, drafting cover letters, training staff on completing applications, and preparing and reviewing application packets
• Advocate for community members before USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, EOIR, and other government agencies
• Make appropriate referrals for immigration legal services beyond the scope of the program
• Support monthly Legal Clinic, including developing and coordinating pro-bono attorneys
• Coordinate with Community Navigators to provide legal oversight at Know Your Rights workshops
• Perform factual and legal research and continually monitor changes in immigration law, regulations, and policy
• Conduct strategic outreach to promote awareness about HANA’s programs and foster collaborative opportunities with other HANA programs and external partners
• Prepare clear and concise reports for grant proposals and reports, including maintaining accurate, timely, and thorough client records in database
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice
• A belief in communities’ ability to support each other, organize, and achieve desired goals together
• Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred
• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree required; individuals who will be sitting for an upcoming Bar Exam are also eligible to apply
• At least 1 year practicing immigration law strongly preferred
• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish required; proficiency in other languages is a plus
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; empathic listener sensitive to legal issues experienced by diverse immigrant communities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with people of diverse social, economic, racial/ethnic, and faith backgrounds
• Proactive self-starter with a solution-oriented mindset, willingness to take initiative, and excellent problem-solving skills
• Ability to stay organized, manage a high volume workload, and work under strict deadlines
• Proficiency using Microsoft and Google suites; prior experience with LawLogix a plus
• Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research, writing, and analytical skills
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from community members and the general public
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A valid driver’s license, access to a car, and ability to travel between HANA’s offices in Chicago and Prospect Heights
• Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required
• Covid vaccination and boosters (when eligible) required

Compensation

This is a full-time position with a salary range of $60,000-$70,000 and benefits that include paid time off, health, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, life, and 401K. HANA also pays annual ARDC licensing fees, as well as AILA membership fees.

Application

Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to jobs@hanacenter.org with the subject line “Immigration Attorney.”