ProBAR - Staff Attorney with on-the-job Spanish-language training

The Staff Attorneys on ProBAR's Children's Team represent children seeking humanitarian immigration relief, support unrepresented children appearing before the immigration court, and connect children with advocates and other supportive services as needed. The team's legal advocacy and representation are complemented by ProBAR's holistic approach that integrates connections to services for children released from detention.

While Spanish proficiency is preferred, for a limited time ProBAR will hire attorneys who may apply for our Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Learning Program—a special opportunity for attorneys to gain fluency through courses provided through ProBAR. The first cohort of the Adelante con ProBAR attorneys will be recruited by July 2024 and receive language and legal skills training and support while defending and representing unaccompanied children.

The Organization

ProBAR empowers immigrants through high-quality legal information, representation, and connections to services. ProBAR serves immigrants in the Rio Grande Valley and Houston regions with a particular focus on the legal needs of adults and unaccompanied children in federal custody. Founded in 1989 as a project of the American Bar Association, ProBAR’s primary office is located in Harlingen, TX with a field office in Houston, TX. For more information about ProBAR, please visit our website: https://abaprobar.org/

Job Summary / General Purpose of Job

Accountable for providing legal services to detained unaccompanied children in immigration removal proceedings, in the border region. Gain language fluency through the Adelante con ProBAR language program.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities (listed in order of importance and/or time spent)

• Learning and achieving Spanish language fluency through courses provided by the Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Program
• Provides legal services including direct representation to detained or locally released children in immigration removal proceedings.
• Reviews legal screenings conducted by non-attorney staff. Reviews and assigns follow-up services, including additional interviewing, referrals to other legal services providers and advocates, or in- house representation.
• Regularly appear in immigration court to represent children in removal proceedings and to act as Friend of Court for other detained youth as appropriate. May also appear in Texas state court as related to a child’s immigration case.
• Develops and maintains legal competency relating to immigration detention work, specifically as applied to unaccompanied minors. Builds and maintains relations with local stakeholders. Observes ethical practices relating to client confidentiality using division’s case management system.
• Builds and maintains relationships with local stakeholders.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Possession of a Juris Doctorate degree from an ABA-accredited law school and be in good standing.
• Licensed to practice law in a U.S. state or territory.
• Baseline proficiency in English and Spanish in written and spoken forms. Must be willing to improve fluency by participating in the Adelante con ProBAR Spanish Language Program.
• Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Office products and Google tools.
• Must be able to pick up on client verbal and non-verbal cues.
• Have reliable transportation to travel to off-site work locations.
• Must have reliable internet and phone connection.
• Must be insurable and have an acceptable driving record.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter care provider facilities funded by the Office of Refugee Resettlement, Administration for Children and Families, United States Department of Health and Human Services which provide housing and services to unaccompanied children. This position will require the provision of legal services to unaccompanied children in such care provider facilities.
• This position requires the ability to travel to and enter detention centers. In accordance with federal policies and contractor funding requirements, clearance of federal background checks will be required for this position.

Preferred Education, Qualifications, Experience

• Licensed to practice law and member in the State Bar of Texas, and one year experience.
• Proficiency in another language other than Spanish and English.
• Prior work experience with children, particularly from Central America and including Mayan language- speaking populations.
• Prior volunteer, community, or work experience regarding immigration or detention.
• Prior non-profit experience, particularly involving immigration detention.

Physical Requirements

Typical office setting with frequent visits to immigration detention facilities and immigration court. Continuously operates a computer and other office machinery, such as telephone, copy machine, and computer printer.

Travel

As a normal course of business, this job will typically require travel of less than 15% of the time.