Hybrid Law Clerk | Unaccompanied Children's Program | Detained Services
ACKC seeks to hire a law clerk with an interest in immigration law and advocacy work with Unaccompanied Children. This position would likely be around 12-15 hours / week most weeks during the school semester. The hourly pay starts at $17.50/hr.
We are looking for a student who is able to join our team early next semester in order to train with our current remote law clerk before they graduate in May. Our hope is that our new law clerk can take over their position during the spring and continue through the summer/fall. Summer hours are negotiable and could include full-time hours if the law clerk is interested. ​
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ACKC is especially interested in law students who can work over the course of multiple semesters and who would be interested in coming on as a law clerk in the summer full time and/or coming back to ACKC after their summer to continue their work. Spanish fluency is strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities
(Training Provided)
Unaccompanied Children are children who, when encountered by Customs and Border Patrol, are under eighteen and have no parent or legal guardian present in the United States to care for them. The children are detained in an Office of Refugee Resettlement facility in Topeka, KS. Asylum Clinic KC contracts with the Acacia Center for Justice to provide weekly Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations and individual legal screenings to unaccompanied children placed in the Villages, as well as a host of other services.
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The position requires availability each Thursday to conduct these KYR presentations and legal screenings. The law clerk will receive training on procedures and best practices and will work one-on-one with children. The Thursday Villages day starts at 8:30 a.m. and, depending on the number new arrivals, lasts until around 2:00-2:30pm.
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Outside of the Thursday in-person visits, the position includes approximately 8-10 hours of remote work available to the Law Clerk. This work includes data entry of the services provided to detained children using our data-management system. The law clerk will also work with attorneys and paralegals to provide referrals for children who move outside our service area who may still qualify for representation.​​
Qualifications
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Fluent in both Spanish and English (conversational Spanish at minimum)
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Passionate about immigration-related advocacy and trauma-informed advocacy with children
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Highly organized with excellent multitasking abilities, attention to detail, and ability to manage overlapping deadlines and priorities
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Capable of learning quickly, meeting quick deadlines under pressure, and handling confidential information discreetly
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Proficient in basic word processing, data entry, and computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel spreadsheets, and Adobe;
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Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team
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Flexible, punctual, and responsible
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Possess a valid driver’s license/insurance and willing to travel to Topeka, Kansas every Thursday
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Able to pass federal and state background checks.
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Prior experience with immigration law or work with unaccompanied children not required – training provided for all tasks
Hours &
Compensation
This position would likely be around 12-15 hours / week most weeks during the school semester. Summer hours are negotiable depending on the law clerk's availability (could move to 30-35 hours/week).
The hourly pay starts at $17.50/hr.
About Us
The Asylum Clinic Kansas City is a small but rapidly growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing comprehensive immigration legal services to immigrants in our community. Despite our small size, we manage a large caseload and work collaboratively to navigate the ever-changing policies of the immigration system, which greatly affects our day-to-day work. To ensure that we continue to fulfill our mission of providing excellent legal services, our team works closely together to overcome challenges presented by immigration policy and achieve our client goals.
Our organization was founded with a commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of all immigrants, regardless of their background or circumstances. We believe that every person deserves access to high-quality legal representation and comprehensive support services, particularly those who have fled their home countries due to violence, persecution, or other forms of hardship. At ACKC, we are proud to be a trusted and respected resource for immigrants and their families. We are committed to fighting for their rights and providing them with the tools and resources they need to build a brighter future.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, please email a resume and a copy of your transcript to clare@asylumclinickc.org. Please use the subject line "Law Clerk, Detained Services - [Your Name]" when submitting your application.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
Thank you for your interest in joining our team!