Opportunities From: Jewish Family Service of San Diego

Thank you for you interest in volunteering with the Immigration program! This opportunity is not currently taking new volunteers. If you are interested in being placed on our waitlist, please email volunteer@jfssd.org.

Program: 

The Immigration Services Program at Jewish Family Service provides quality, low-cost immigration services to refugees, asylees, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and undocumented immigrants within the community.

Goal of Position:         

The Immigration Case Aide supports JFS’s work in helping clients prepare and apply for various immigration benefits. The primary role of the Case Aide at the Jacobs campus will be to complete intakes for immigration clients (translating if needed), and to prepare case files for Immigration staff.

The primary role of the Immigration Case Aide at the SDRRN Shelter will be to assist Accredited Representatives and paralegals with Legal Empowerment presentations, EOIR-33’s (Change of Address), Change of Venue requests, and I-765 work authorization applications. Case Aide’s may also be asked to accompany caseworkers to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) check- in appointments and assist with other legal tasks on an as-needed basis.

Benefits to the Volunteer:                                     

Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the immigrant community in San Diego & learn about the U.S. immigration system. Work with and receive ongoing training from a group of knowledgeable, professional, and passionate staff dedicated to assisting immigrants. Make a positive impact on the community by assisting clients with the immigration process. Allow case workers to help their immigrant clients more effectively.

Tasks/Responsibilities:         

Assist clients with completing intake forms. Prepare and assemble case files and immigration applications. Schedule clients for further consultations and appointments with Immigration Specialists. Communicate with clients regarding updates in their immigration cases. Provide general administrative support as needed. Provide general knowledge to the migrant guest population at the Shelter in the form of legal empowerment presentations.

Qualifications and Requirements:

Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, show strong attention to detail and exhibit a professional demeanor in the office. Self-motivated and organized, comfortable with developing and building relationships. Fluency in a language commonly spoken by clients/ guests; ability to speak, read and write in the language. Able to work respectfully with people of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Pursuing postsecondary education and/or interest in issues relating to immigration law, immigrant rights, advocacy and non-profits OR strong background in legal field Must be at least 18 years of age. Attend a JFS volunteer interview with Immigration Services Volunteer Coordinator. Attend a JFS orientation with Volunteer Engagement. Must honor confidentiality of client records and sign confidentiality agreement. Complete HIPAA Privacy/Security training. Background check. Vaccine Attestation Form.

Time Commitment:

Ideal candidates are able to commit to 8 hours per month for 3 months or more.

Immediate Supervisor:

Immigration Specialist

 

 

 

Program:                    

The immigration journey is different for everyone, and applications and petitions can be complicated. From answering questions about legal status to translating and submitting paperwork, to assisting with removal defense, we offer clear information and free or low-cost legal assistance for immigrants and their families.

Goal of Position: 

Translate documents for Immigration Services staff members or work under direction of immigration attorney to interpret in-person or telephonic correspondences with clients. 

Languages Needed:

Arabic, Farsi, French, Swahili, Kinyarwanda, Amharic, Somali, Burmese

Minimum commitment of 2-3 hours per week for 4 months or On-Call Position, as needed basis Fluent understanding of written English and a second language is required Must be 13 or older

Highest need:

Darsi/Farsi Pashto Nuristani languages

Benefits:                      

Help refugee and immigrant families access urgent and necessary services Create meaningful cultural exchange and develop intercultural communication skills                              

Tasks/Responsibilities:        

Translate various immigration documents from a second language to English or vice versa Attend meetings between clients and department staff while acting as an interpreter

Qualifications and Requirements:            

Fluent understanding of written English and a second language Able to communicate with non-English speakers Must be compassionate, caring, and culturally sensitive Ability to work independently and as a member of a team Must be an organized individual that follows directions well Attend a JFS volunteer interview with Immigration Volunteer Coordinator Attend a JFS orientation with the JFS Volunteer Engagement Must honor confidentiality of client records and sign confidentiality agreement Complete HIPAA training

Time Commitment:

Ideal candidates are able to make a minimum of 2-3 hours per week for a minimum of 4 months.

Scheduling is coordinated between the volunteer and staff. The position is on-call.

Worksite/Department:          

Jewish Family Service

Immediate Supervisor:

Immigration Staff

For more information on our safety protocols, please visit our JFS Safety page here.