Immigration Self-Help Desk Legal Assistant

Title: Immigration Self-Help Desk Legal Assistant

Direct Supervisor: Director of Immigration Legal Services

Classification: Hourly, Non-exempt

Location: San José, CA; on-site full time

Amigos de Guadalupe’s Mission Statement

Inspired by the power of our vibrant, determined community, our vision at Amigos de Guadalupe (“Amigos”) is to bring about transformational change in East San José.  At Amigos, we ensure that the basic needs of our community are met, deliver high-quality programs, and mobilize and organize for justice.  We do this by providing housing and rental assistance, mental health services, immigration legal services, education programs, and community organizing programs that advocate for systems change.

Overview of Amigos’ Immigration Legal Services Program

Amigos’ Immigration Legal Services program (“ILS”) provides free and low-cost legal services to immigrant families.  With a focus on humanitarian and family-based cases, the ILS team has historically and primarily provided representation for affirmative matters.  Additionally, as a partner agency of Santa Clara County’s Rapid Response Network, Amigos’ attorneys provide critical legal support to noncitizens impacted by immigration enforcement actions.

The ILS program is currently expanding to include a removal defense unit. The Help Desk plays a key role in this development, serving as an integral part of the program’s broader efforts to protect and support immigrant communities facing deportation, and guided by Amigos’ values of welcoming and radical hospitality. 

Overview of Position

Amigos hosts an Immigration Self-Help Desk to provide legal information and assistance to self-represented community members.  We bring this resource to our local community, recognizing that current demand for immigration legal services exceeds the availability of qualified immigration attorneys and that knowledge about the court process and basic legal principles can improve the chances of favorable outcomes. 

The Immigration Self-Help Desk Legal Assistant will assist guests with discrete tasks, such as explaining court procedures, reporting a change of address to USCIS or EOIR, translating documents, assisting in mailing out self-prepared applications, providing meaningful referrals to partner legal service providers, and providing access to legal materials and other resources that may assist individuals in representing themselves (among other specific, limited tasks that do not involve providing legal advice). 

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Greet and assist walk-in guests of the Immigration Help Desk
• Explain the assistance offered through the Immigration Help Desk in clear, simple language
• Answer guests’ questions about filing procedures, court dates, legal terminology, etc. without providing legal advice (a supervising attorney will work closely with the Help Desk Assistant to define these parameters)
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of self-help resources, online tools, and USCIS and court rules
• Create, organize, and distribute self-help materials and legal form packets
• Assist guests in filling out pre-approved USCIS or EOIR forms, such as change of address forms
• Translate English and Spanish-language documents (written translations and sight translations)
• Assemble self-prepared application and prepare applications for mailing 
• Refer individuals to partner legal service providers as appropriate
• Maintain confidentiality and professionalism in all interactions
• Track and report grant deliverables in a timely manner

• Adhere to all agency-wide and program-specific protocols and procedures
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings, supervisory meetings, and agency-wide events
• Perform other duties as assigned

Expected Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in legal studies or a related field (preferred)
• Prior experience working on immigration cases at a non-profit organization or a law firm (strongly preferred)
• Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in stressful or sensitive situations
• Strong interpersonal and customer service experience 
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct and radical hospitality
• Bilingual and biliterate in English and Spanish (required)
• Proficient in Google Workspace and comfortable with online legal resources

Work Environment

• The ILS team works at Amigos’ main office in the Mayfair neighborhood in East San José
• The Immigration Self-Help Desk is public-facing and this role involves interacting with guests throughout the day, at times welcoming and assisting multiple guests simultaneously 
• Standard work hours are 9 AM to 5:30 PM, and flex-time may be approved for participation at work events outside of those hours

Compensation and Benefits

• Hourly rate: $31.50
• Comprehensive benefits package:
  • Medical, dental, chiropractic, and vision coverage
  • Life insurance
  • Generous paid time off 
  • Paid holidays and sick time 
  • 401(k) retirement plan–employer match up to 4% 

How to Apply

Please send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected] with the name of the job title in the subject line.  Both documents should be sent as a single file.  Additionally, somewhere in your cover letter be sure to incorporate the phrase, “si se puede.”

Equal Opportunity Employer Notice

Amigos de Guadalupe is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic under California law.