Immigration Paralegal (Lansing)

POSITION: The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) is seeking candidates for positions as Paralegals serving low-income immigrants in their immigration legal services needs. This is a chance to join a talented team doing important and challenging work at a critical time. Please note that this position is funded in part through a federal contract that is currently being renewed under a shorter funding cycle. Employment offers will be aligned with our current contract period (through April 30, 2026), with the expectation and hope of extension as additional funding becomes available. We remain committed to our mission and to supporting our staff through this. 

DESCRIPTION OF PROGRAM: MIRC is a legal resource center for immigrant communities. The three pillars of our work are: (1) direct legal services, (2) systemic advocacy, and (3) community education and engagement.  MIRC is part of Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS), a non-profit law firm providing free legal services to individuals and families with low-income, Michigan’s immigrant communities, older adults, and adults with disabilities through several statewide programs. Visit michiganimmigrant.org and michigansas.org  for more information.

RESPONSIBILITIES: The paralegal will assist attorneys with their cases, will participate in office-wide projects and client services, and will eventually handle some cases on their own as a DOJ-accredited representative. Paralegals who were previously DOJ-accredited or had DOJ-accreditation applications pending will be expected to resubmit their applications as soon as possible after hire. 

QUALIFICATIONS: An associate’s degree or commensurate professional experience is required; a bachelor’s degree is preferred. This position requires a high level of Spanish proficiency, as our paralegals must be able to have effective, nuanced conversations (very often with children) about complicated legal processes and systems. Applicants must possess excellent communication, collaboration, analytical, and problem‐solving skills as well as a demonstrated commitment to protecting the rights of immigrants or other persons in poverty. Candidate must be detail-oriented with strong organizational skills. Candidate must be proficient with major software and web services, including Word, Excel, G Suite, and have access to a reliable internet connection if they intend to work remotely some of the time. Applicants who have experience, especially related to immigration and poverty, will receive priority. Prior experience with immigration law preferred. Applicants who have relevant lived experience are encouraged to apply. All MIRC staff must reside in Michigan or Ohio by the first date of employment. 

BENEFITS: This is a full-time position with a starting salary of $ 45,000 based on years of relevant experience. MAP offers a generous benefits package including life, short- and long-term disability, health, vision, dental, and flexible spending accounts. If staff do not require health benefits, they have the option to take an annual $1,500 payout in addition to the base salary paid over the course of the year. MAP also has a generous leave policy allowing staff to accrue 3 weeks paid vacation the first year and 15 paid holidays, as well as a 401(k) retirement plan including employer match for eligible staff after 6 months of employment. MAP is a qualifying employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

TIMEFRAME: Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until positions are filled, with a goal of onboarding all new MIRC hires once a month.

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit a resume and a cover letter that explains your interest in this role and our mission, and highlights relevant experience. You can also access the application by copying and pasting the following web address into your browser: https://miadvocacy.bamboohr.com/careers/279

The Michigan Statewide Advocacy Services (MSAS) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.