Director of Immigration Legal Services, HANA Center

Director of Immigration Legal Services, HANA Center

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 8,000 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.

Position: The Director of Immigration Legal Services will be responsible for leading HANA’s immigration and legal Services team, which serves low-income, multiethnic immigrants in Chicago and the northwest suburbs. The Director oversees program outreach, development, and administration, supervises staff and case management, and provides direct legal services to eligible community members.

Responsibilities:

1. Plan, monitor, and evaluate effectiveness of Immigration Legal Services Program, implementing best practices and ensuring timely completion of required deliverables.
2. Provide legal supervision of staff, DOJ accredited representatives, and pro bono attorneys and their caseloads on immigration matters.
3. Provide direct representation on complex cases as required.
4. Develop and maintain relationships with partner organizations and coalitions.
5. Support staff to identify, train, and develop a growing network of informed and engaged Community Navigators.
6. Develop and recruit pro-bono attorneys.
7. Supervise monthly Legal Clinics.
8. Monitor changes to immigration law, regulations, and policy; prepare for significant changes in immigration law and their impact on program development and client services.
9. Assist staff in identifying and participating in relevant trainings and professional development opportunities.
10. Oversee data collection and recording, keeping accurate and thorough client records.
11. Prepare clear and concise reports and assist with completing grant proposals and renewal applications.
12. Ensure compliance with ethical rules and all applicable regulations.

Qualifications:

1. Commitment to immigrant rights and social, economic, and racial justice.
2. Experience working on Korean American, Asian American, immigrant community issues, and/or social, economic, and racial justice issues preferred.
3. Juris Doctorate degree and 3+ years practicing immigration law.
4. Experience in drafting affidavits pertaining to family-based cases and hardship waivers; experience with bond hearings and removal defense cases strongly preferred.
5. Experience communicating with clients and government agencies, such as USCIS, ICE, CBP, NVC, and EOIR, regarding immigration matters.
6. Bilingual proficiency in Korean and/or Spanish is an asset.
7. Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills; empathic listener sensitive to legal issues experienced by diverse immigrant communities.
8. Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships with people of diverse social, economic, racial/ethnic, and faith backgrounds.
9. Ability to stay organized, manage a high volume workload, and work under strict deadlines.
10. Proficiency using Microsoft and Google suites; prior experience with LawLogix a plus.
11. Strong proofreading and detail-oriented research and writing skills.
12. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from community members and the general public.
13. A valid driver’s license, car, and car insurance strongly preferred.
14. Flexibility to work some evenings and weekends as required.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter here.