Paralegal- Know Your Rights/Direct Representation, Detained Adults Program in Washington, District of Columbia at Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)

Who We Are

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights fights for the rights, safety, and unity of immigrant communities, standing with those trapped in our nation’s fundamentally flawed immigration system. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrant children and adults facing detention and deportation in the Capital Region and beyond, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported.

Our Work Environment

The Detained Adult Program (DAP) works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE each year, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, person-centered services, and deeply value the autonomy of the people we work with in detention as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system.

Amica Center’s Detained Adult Program is a highly collaborative work environment. Each team lead works directly with a focused team, but all colleagues are interconnected through, for example, case workshops or staff-run committees.

DAP staff is a source of expertise in the highly complex and ever-changing immigration system. They have persisted through administration changes, policy shifts, and attacks on the rights and freedoms of immigrants through project-focused cohorts that arise to address challenges or to brainstorm and implement affirmative strategies.

Position Summary

A DAP paralegal supporting the Know Your Rights and Direct Representation program, splits their time approximately 50/50 between jail visit tasks:

• the coordination and execution of monthly visits to detention centers in Virginia (Farmville Detention Center and Caroline Detention Facility) for the purpose of conducting know your rights presentations and workshops with detained adults,
• conducting intakes with grant-eligible individuals in the Virginia detention facilities, tracking their cases through placement, and providing basic pro se resources;

And direct representation tasks:

• working with detained people and their attorneys throughout the course of removal proceedings, including assisting with paperwork and case preparation; and
• supporting the program’s provision of services as a whole.

This position is a hybrid remote/in person with the expectation that you will be in the DC office at least once a week.

General Duties and Responsibilities [1]

Know Your Rights Visits:

• Conducts detention facility visits in Virginia (normally 1 overnight visit per month, for 2 full days), for the provision of know your rights presentations and group workshops.
• Participates in preparation for and development of materials for detention facility visits including the creation of and training on providing know your rights information and developing pro se materials by keeping up with key legal updates
• Conducts administrative tasks to facilitate communication with clients at the detention facilities and interfaces with facility staff
• Completes intakes with people in Virginia detention facilities eligible for legal services

Client Services:

• Supports attorneys representing detained and released clients before immigration courts in Virginia, Maryland and remote locations (virtually), USCIS, ICE and local state courts. This includes representation in cases such as Asylum, Withholding of Removal, Protection under the Convention against Torture, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Cancellation of Removal. Support includes assistance in developing client and witness declarations, coordination, drafting and preparing filings, country conditions research, and input in case strategy.
• Serves as a backup to the intaking team, performing approximately 1-2 direct rep intakes per month
• Actively engages in Amica Center’s training and advocacy efforts, as needed.
• Interfaces with social services staff, in preparation and execution of post release and social services plans.

Organizational Services:

• Ensures the timely inputting and accuracy of data and case information into shared databases, carries out administrative tasks in timely manner.
• Assists other program staff in completion of their workload during high-work/low-bandwidth periods.
• Takes part in stakeholder relationship activities, including in-person and remote meetings with community groups, governmental bodies and representatives, and other legal service providers

[1] This list is illustrative and not intended to be a complete classification of all job functions or tasks.

Qualifications Required:

• Written and oral Spanish proficiency required.
• It is expected that the candidate will need to travel for work-related business. As a result, the candidate must possess a valid driver's license and be comfortable operating a vehicle upon hiring. This role requires travel, but qualified individuals with disabilities may be accommodated in a reasonable manner under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Availability to work occasional weekend/evening hours to accommodate client needs within expected 35-40 hour workweek or during authorized overtime hours;
• Preference for applicants with proficiency in Office 365 and LegalServer.

Competencies Required:

• Legal Proficiency
• The employee understands legal concepts at a level to allow for meaningful contribution to client intake, follow-up, and casework with moderate supervision. The employee is working towards self-sufficiency in client-facing legal activities and will demonstrate increasing understanding of how to prepare legal filings.
• Client and Programmatic Proficiency
• Effectively communicate legal and procedural concepts to clients with empathy and appropriately prioritize tasks and resources.
• The employee adequately presents legal and procedural concepts to detained individuals and clients with moderate supervision, including working with clients and their families/support community throughout a case. The employee will develop trauma-informed interviewing and rapport building skills. The employee coordinates with outside entities on referral systems efficiently and effectively. The employee adequately prioritizes time and resources.
• Administrative Proficiency
• The employee ensures that all administrative aspects of their position, attendant to the provision of services to clients and program reporting, are carried out without managerial intervention, including intake logging and case tracking, file upkeep, database upkeep, etc.

Additional Role-Specific Details:

Salary: $49,500-$54,500

Position Type: Full-time, non-exempt

Reports To: KYR Attorney or Managing Paralegal

Application Deadline: July 17, 2026

Location and/or Travel Requirements: This position will be based at the Washington, D.C. or Baltimore, M.D. Office. Travel to the area when needed for hearings, jail visits, and programmatic meetings is required.

Telework: Amica Center operates a hybrid work environment where staff are required to work at least one day per week in-office, but some roles require more office/on-site attendance or travel.

Benefits: Amica Center offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending account, life insurance and pre-tax commuter benefits for those living in the DMV.

Paid Time Off: Amica Center provides personal, sick and volunteer time off, federal holidays, winter break closure and parental leave.

EEO Statement: Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, it is the purpose of this policy to effectuate these principles and mandates. Amica Center prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Amica Center conforms to the spirit as well as to the letter of all applicable laws and regulations.

Our Anti-Racism Statement: To learn more about our anti-racism statement- https://amicacenter.org/becoming-anti-racist/

COVID-19 Vaccination: All employees are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19. To be fully vaccinated means having completed the full dosages required for the type of vaccine obtained as designated by the CDC. If boosters are subsequently recommended by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) then employees will be required to receive the booster within thirty (30) days of their eligibility to access the boosters.

How to Apply: Submit your resume, cover letter and writing sample that explains your interest in this role with your Paylocity submission. Please refrain from sending application materials separately via email.

Please see above.