LEGAL SERVICES - Adjustment of Status Clinic Attorney
Volunteer Role/Title: Adjustment of Status Clinic Attorney
Program Area/Name: Immigration Legal Services
Locations: IRCO Sokhom Tauch Community Center: 10323 NE Glisan St. Portland, OR 97220
Schedule: October 9, 2026, from 9:30 AM - 3 PM.
Time Commitment: One full-day clinic on October 9 and one 4-hour training on October 2
Program Description: The Immigration Legal Services (ILS) team helps clients pursue a wide range of immigration benefits, including naturalization, lawful permanent residence, work authorization, asylum, parole, and other forms of humanitarian or family-based relief. ILS represents clients before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), also known as immigration court.
Position Details:
The Adjustment of Status Clinic Attorney will meet directly with refugee and asylee participants who have already completed preliminary screening and form preparation with intake staff and trained volunteers. The Attorney will review all information and documents with clinic participants to identify potential legal issues if any, prepare the adjustment of status application for submission to USCIS, and advise the participants about adjustment of status eligibility and process.
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Conduct legal consultations with refugee and asylee clinic participants regarding Adjustment of Status eligibility.
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Advise clinic participants regarding eligibility, required evidence, and the Adjustment of Status process.
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Identify potential legal issues, including inadmissibility grounds, criminal history, immigration violations, or other complications that may require additional analysis.
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Review the following documents for legibility and sufficiency for I-485 with every clinic participant. Indicate if the document is "ready for submission," "available but has issues," or "missing" on a checklist.
Identity & Status
1 - A government-issued ID, such as a driver's license or ID card (For children, any photo ID, such as a school ID.)
2 - A birth certificate
3 - A passport from country of citizenship
4 - An I-94 record
5 - An asylum approval letter or refugee document
Proof of Presence
6 - Evidence of 1-year physical presence (leases, pay stubs, school records, etc.)
Photos
7 - Two passport-style photos
Other Records
8 - Certified dispositions for any arrests or convictions, if any
9 - Proof of receiving public benefit, if receiving
Addresses and Employment
10 - Addresses for the past 5 years, with dates of residency
11 - Places of employment where you have worked for the last 5 years, with dates of employment
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Review Form I-485. Make necessary corrections for accuracy, completeness, and consistency. Flag potential issues.
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Review fee waiver eligibility and supporting documentation, if applicable.
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Determine whether additional forms, waivers, or supporting documentation are required.
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• Obtain signatures after confirming that the application accurately reflects the participant's information.
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Ensure compliance with ethical obligations, confidentiality, and professional responsibility rules.
Volunteer Impact: The Adjustment of Status Clinic Attorneys will help refugees and asylees apply for Lawful Permanent Resident status, also known as a green card. For refugees and asylees who are eligible, adjusting status to lawful permanent resident is a crucial step to strengthening their stability. A green card can provide an additional layer of protection against removal and can open the doors to broader eligibility for public benefits.
Qualifications:
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Must be 18 or older
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Must be licensed to practice law, in good standing, with any state bar.
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Must be able to commute to volunteer site on training date and clinic date
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Must pass background check
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Complete Role Specific Training & Onboarding into the volunteer program
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Open to working with community members from various backgrounds.
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Required Training: Training will take place on October 2, 2026, from 3 to 7 PM. Dinner will be provided. Training will cover eligibility for refugee and asylee adjustment of status, identifying required forms and documents, recognizing potential legal issues, clinic workflow, and trauma-informed / culturally competent care in a clinic setting.
Schedule Summary
This activity generally occurs on
- Friday - Morning, Afternoon, Evening
