Immigration Attorney

Position Description

Organization

Justice North is a nonprofit civil legal aid organization providing free legal services to low-income individuals across northern Minnesota. Formed through the merger of Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota and Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota, Justice North serves clients in both urban and rural communities with a commitment to equity, dignity, and meaningful access to justice.

Justice North provides a full range of poverty law services and works closely with courts, community organizations, and service providers to help clients achieve safety, stability, and long-term solutions to legal problems. In response to the growing legal needs of immigrant and New American communities, Justice North is launching a new Immigration Law Unit to expand access to high-quality, compliant immigration legal services across the region.

Position Summary

Justice North seeks an Immigration Staff Attorney to provide direct legal representation as part of the organization’s newly established Immigration Law Unit. This position will focus on immigration legal services permitted under Legal Services Corporation (LSC) regulations, with an emphasis on humanitarian and family-based relief for eligible clients.

Justice North will offer refugee and immigrant services including assistance with:

• permanent residence applications,
• naturalization and citizenship applications,
• applications for victims of domestic violence and violent crimes,
• replacement of lost/stolen/expired immigration documents, and
• limited family visa petitions.
  
  

Justice North will participate in Minnesota’s Immigration Hub, a statewide collaboration expanding access to high-quality immigration legal services for immigrant and New American communities. This role offers the opportunity to work collaboratively with legal aid and community partners to serve rural and underserved areas across Greater Minnesota.

The preferred location for this position is Clay County (Moorhead), but other locations within the 33 county Justice North service area would be considered. The office the attorney resides closest to will serve as the attorney’s primary base for in-person work, collaboration, supervision, and community engagement. While some work may be completed remotely, a consistent physical presence is required for client meetings, outreach, court appearances, trainings, and partnership development.

This position offers a unique opportunity to help build a new practice area within Justice North while serving immigrant communities in a large, rural service area.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

The Immigration Staff Attorney will manage an assigned caseload and provide high-quality, client-centered immigration legal services to eligible clients, including representation and advice in LSC-permitted immigration matters, such as:

• Family-based immigration petitions and applications;
• Immigration relief for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other serious crimes, including VAWA self-petitions and U visa-related representation;
• Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) matters;
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications and renewals, where permitted;
• Lawful permanent resident-related matters, including adjustment of status and naturalization;
• Immigration-related legal issues connected to housing stability, family safety, and access to public benefits, consistent with LSC regulations.
  
  

Additional Responsibilities Include

• Representing clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other administrative agencies, and appearing in immigration court where permitted and appropriate;
• Conducting legal research and applying sound legal analysis to support effective advocacy and durable outcomes;
• Collaborating closely with paralegals, interpreters, and other support staff, including appropriate task delegation and supervision;
• Participating in community legal education, outreach events, and legal clinics serving immigrant and New American communities;
• Building and maintaining partnerships with community organizations, service providers, and advocacy groups;
• Holistically screening clients for multiple, intersecting legal issues and coordinating referrals within Justice North as appropriate;
• Complying with timekeeping requirements, LSC regulations, grant conditions, and Justice North policies and procedures;
• Participating in special projects and program development activities related to the growth of the Immigration Law Unit.
  
  

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school;
• Licensed to practice law in Minnesota, eligible for admission by motion or reciprocity, or willing to take the next scheduled Minnesota Bar Examination;
• Immigration law experience preferred;
• Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income, immigrant, and vulnerable populations;
• Strong oral and written advocacy skills, sound professional judgment, and excellent time-management abilities;
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• Comfort working in a developing practice area and contributing to program growth and innovation;
• Valid driver’s license, reliable transportation, and willingness to travel within Justice North’s service area;
• Experience working in rural or geographically dispersed communities is preferred but not required.