Application Guide
How to Apply for IMPOWER Staff Attorney
at National Immigration Project
🏢 About National Immigration Project
The National Immigration Project is a national membership organization with over 50 years of experience litigating, educating, and advocating for immigrant rights. It uniquely bridges legal advocacy with grassroots movements, making it a dynamic and impactful place for attorneys passionate about social justice.
About This Role
As an IMPOWER Staff Attorney, you'll be at the forefront of protecting immigrant workers' rights, collaborating with AFL-CIO affiliated unions. Your work will involve screening union members for immigration relief, providing direct representation, and responding to enforcement actions, directly impacting workers' lives and defending their rights.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve conducting virtual screenings with union members to assess their immigration status and potential relief options, followed by preparing legal documents for cases you're directly representing. You could also be part of a rapid response team, coordinating with unions and other attorneys during enforcement actions, and providing Know Your Rights presentations to workers.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who National Immigration Project Is Looking For
- Deep expertise in immigration law, particularly in deportation defense, TPS, DACA, and other temporary statuses.
- Experience representing detained clients and familiarity with rapid response to enforcement actions.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills for conducting virtual and in-person screening clinics.
- Ability to work collaboratively with unions and other advocates, and to manage a caseload effectively.
📝 Tips for Applying to National Immigration Project
Highlight any experience with union collaborations or workers' rights advocacy, even if not directly in immigration law.
Emphasize your ability to work in a fast-paced, rapid-response environment, providing concrete examples.
Tailor your resume to showcase specific immigration relief cases you've handled, especially involving TPS, DACA, or deferred action.
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your commitment to the mission of the National Immigration Project and your understanding of the challenges faced by immigrant workers.
If you have experience with virtual clinics or community outreach, be sure to detail that, as it's a key part of the role.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your passion for immigrant rights and social justice, aligned with the organization's 50-year history.", 'Your specific expertise in immigration law, particularly with temporary statuses and deportation defense.', 'Your ability to work collaboratively with unions and other stakeholders, and your experience with rapid response.', 'Your willingness to travel and conduct in-person clinics, as mentioned in the job description.']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Review the National Immigration Project's recent litigation and advocacy efforts, especially those related to workers' rights.
- → Understand the AFL-CIO's partnership with IMPOWER and its goals for protecting immigrant workers.
- → Look into the organization's history and its role in major immigration cases or policy changes.
- → Familiarize yourself with the specific challenges faced by union members with temporary statuses, such as TPS and DACA.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Avoid a generic cover letter that doesn't mention the organization's mission or the specific role.
- Don't overlook the temporary nature of the position; be prepared to discuss your interest in a one-year role with possible extension.
- Avoid underestimating the importance of rapid response and on-call availability; demonstrate your flexibility and readiness.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to National Immigration Project!