Immigration Fellowship Proposals: 2025-2027

ABOUT DCVLP:

The DC Volunteer Lawyers Project (DCVLP) provides free legal services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence, and to vulnerable children living in dangerous situations. We believe that a life free of violence and abuse is a basic human right. In 2023 alone, we helped more than 3,065 individuals in the District of Columbia escape violence and move toward safety & stability. DCVLP offers a competitive salary, a full range of benefits, a generous vacation and holiday policy, and a collegial work environment. More information is available at https://www.dcvlp.org/.

DCVLP seeks to host law students or recent graduates for Equal Justice Works or Skadden Fellowships to begin in Fall 2025. Ideal candidates will be law students entering their third year of law school or recent law school graduates. DCVLP is specifically interested in candidates for the following potential project:

• A project focused on direct representation of low-income vulnerable children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected, by one or both of their parents. In July 2024, the Vulnerable Youth Guardianship Act became law in Washington, DC, allowing immigrant youth between the ages of 18 and 21 to seek the appointment of a guardian and petition for findings of eligibility for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (“SIJS”) before the D.C. Superior Court. If the youth is successful, they can apply for SIJS status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). This project will focus on representing immigrant youth in this specific age cohort—18-20—and assisting them in applying for guardianship with the D.C. Superior Court and in their subsequent SIJS case with USCIS. The position may also include presentations at youth-focused organizations to educate youth and organizational staff on the possibility of applying for SIJS. The ideal candidate will have a background in immigration law, experience working directly with survivors of family and interpersonal violence, and speak a second language.

BENEFITS:

DCVLP has a positive and supportive work environment with an intentional focus on recruiting, nurturing, and retaining a talented and diverse staff. We prioritize a healthy work-life balance. The salary range for this position is $65,000-70,000. Employees receive 90% employer-paid health and dental insurance and vision insurance is also available. DCVLP sponsors a 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution. DCVLP also provides a tax-free stipend of $75 each month for personal cell phone and Wi-Fi expenses. Employees receive generous paid time off every year, including three weeks of vacation, three weeks of wellness leave, and 13 holidays. We offer a generous family leave policy for parents following the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child. DCVLP employees are also eligible to participate in the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For more information, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service. And DCVLP attorneys are eligible to participate in the DC Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program. For more information, see www.dcbarfoundation.org/lrap.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE JOB:

In addition to the functional skills in this job posting, the following physical abilities are representative of physical demands and environment essential to this position:

• Regular attendance at DCVLP’s office, community clinics, DC Superior Court hearings, and client home and school visits are required.
• Ability to travel to court venues and community locations.
• The work environment has moderate noise (i.e., business office with computers, phone, printers, and light traffic).

TO APPLY:

Candidates should submit a resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and a one-page cover letter to Daniela Huerta Garcia dhuertagarcia@dcvlp.org by September 1, 2024. Please include “2025 Fellowship Application” in the subject line. Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis and early applications are appreciated. DCVLP will work closely with any chosen candidate to develop and finalize the project proposal.

DCVLP has a positive and supportive work environment with an intentional focus on recruiting, nurturing, and retaining a talented and diverse staff. We prioritize a healthy work-life balance. The salary range for this position is $65,000-70,000. Employees receive 90% employer-paid health and dental insurance and vision insurance is also available. DCVLP sponsors a 403(b) retirement plan with a 4% employer contribution. DCVLP also provides a tax-free stipend of $75 each month for personal cell phone and Wi-Fi expenses. Employees receive generous paid time off every year, including three weeks of vacation, three weeks of wellness leave, and 13 holidays. We offer a generous family leave policy for parents following the birth or adoption of a child or placement of a foster child. DCVLP employees are also eligible to participate in the federal government’s Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. For more information, see https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service. And DCVLP attorneys are eligible to participate in the DC Bar Foundation’s Loan Repayment Assistance Program. For more information, see www.dcbarfoundation.org/lrap.