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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Immigration Support Officer

💰 $55,000 - $75,000

LegalHuman ResourcesAdministrative SupportCompliance

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a meticulous, empathetic, and highly organized Immigration Support Officer to join our dynamic team. In this pivotal role, you will be the backbone of our immigration services, providing essential support to attorneys, clients, and corporate partners. You will manage the intricate details of immigration casework, ensuring that every petition is prepared with the utmost accuracy and filed in a timely manner. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, possesses a deep understanding of immigration procedures, and is committed to delivering an exceptional client experience. You will be a key player in helping individuals and families achieve their immigration goals and enabling businesses to secure top global talent.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Paralegal Assistant
  • Legal Administrative Assistant
  • HR Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Senior Immigration Paralegal / Senior Immigration Specialist
  • Immigration Consultant
  • Global Mobility Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Compliance Officer
  • HR Generalist (with a focus on global mobility)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Meticulously prepare and file a wide range of employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visa petitions, including but not limited to H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-2/E-3, PERM, I-140, and Adjustment of Status (I-485) applications.
  • Manage a high-volume caseload from initiation to completion, ensuring all deadlines are tracked, met, and properly documented within the case management system.
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, employees, and HR business partners, providing clear and consistent communication regarding case strategy, status updates, and required documentation.
  • Draft complex and detailed support letters, forms, and other essential documents required for immigration filings, ensuring they meet all legal and procedural standards.
  • Proactively monitor the status of pending cases with government agencies (USCIS, DOL, DOS) and respond effectively to any government inquiries, including complex Requests for Evidence (RFEs).
  • Conduct thorough legal research on evolving immigration laws, regulations, and policies to ensure case strategies are current and compliant.
  • Assist attorneys with developing case strategies, preparing clients for interviews, and compiling comprehensive evidence to support each application.
  • Maintain and audit Public Access Files (PAFs) and related documentation to ensure full compliance with Department of Labor regulations for H-1B and E-3 visa holders.
  • Proactively track visa expiration dates and other critical timelines to initiate and manage the extension and renewal processes well in advance of deadlines.
  • Handle the intake and onboarding process for new immigration cases, ensuring all necessary information and documentation are collected efficiently and accurately.
  • Prepare and organize petition packages for attorney review and final submission, ensuring every detail is correct and professionally presented.
  • Update and maintain the integrity of data in the firm's immigration case management software (e.g., INSZoom, LawLogix, Tracker).
  • Manage client expectations by providing realistic timelines and clear explanations of the complex, multi-step immigration processes.
  • Assist in the coordination of consular processing for applicants abroad, guiding them through the visa interview and entry process.
  • Uphold the highest standards of confidentiality and discretion when handling sensitive personal and corporate information.
  • Compile, review, and finalize documentation from clients, ensuring its accuracy, completeness, and suitability for submission to government agencies.
  • Provide comprehensive administrative support, including calendaring, mailings, creating and maintaining physical and electronic case files.
  • Coordinate with external parties, such as credential evaluation services, translation services, and outside counsel, to facilitate case preparation.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc reporting requests from leadership and clients regarding case statuses, employee populations, and processing trends.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of internal immigration processes, templates, and workflow efficiencies.
  • Collaborate with HR and legal departments to ensure seamless integration of immigration processes with company policies and talent acquisition strategies.
  • Participate in team meetings and training sessions to share knowledge and stay abreast of best practices within the immigration field.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Immigration Software Proficiency: Demonstrable experience with immigration case management software such as INSZoom, LawLogix, Tracker, or similar platforms.
  • Form Preparation Expertise: Deep knowledge of preparing and filing a variety of USCIS, DOL, and DOS forms (e.g., I-129, I-140, I-485, ETA 9089).
  • US Immigration Law Knowledge: Solid understanding of US business immigration laws, procedures, and regulations, particularly for non-immigrant and immigrant visas.
  • Legal Research: Ability to conduct targeted legal and procedural research using resources like AILA, government websites, and legal databases.
  • MS Office Suite: Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat for document creation, data management, and communication.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional Attention to Detail: A keen eye for accuracy is paramount to avoid costly errors and delays in legal filings.
  • Superior Organization & Time Management: Proven ability to manage a heavy caseload, prioritize competing tasks, and meet strict, non-negotiable deadlines.
  • Client-Centric Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex legal concepts clearly and empathetically to diverse audiences.
  • Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: The ability to identify potential issues in a case, analyze facts, and proactively propose solutions.
  • Discretion & Confidentiality: Unwavering commitment to maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive client and company information.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Ability to remain calm and effective while working under pressure in a fast-paced, constantly changing legal landscape.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a related field, or an Associate's Degree combined with a Paralegal Certificate.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree and a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Paralegal Studies
  • International Relations
  • Political Science
  • Human Resources
  • Pre-Law

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2-5 years of direct, hands-on experience in a business immigration role within a law firm or corporate legal/HR department.

Preferred:

  • Experience working in a high-volume corporate immigration practice is highly desirable.
  • Direct experience handling the full lifecycle of H-1B, L-1, and PERM cases is strongly preferred.
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