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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Immigration Technician

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

LegalAdministrative SupportHuman ResourcesParalegal

🎯 Role Definition

As an Immigration Technician, you will be the organizational backbone of our immigration practice. You are a crucial team player who assists attorneys and paralegals in navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration law for our clients. This role involves meticulous preparation of petitions and applications, direct communication with foreign nationals and corporate clients, and diligent case management from initiation to completion. You will be instrumental in helping individuals and businesses achieve their immigration objectives by ensuring all documentation is accurate, complete, and filed on time. This is an opportunity to build a rewarding career in a dynamic and impactful field.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Legal Assistant
  • Administrative Assistant
  • HR Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Immigration Paralegal
  • Senior Immigration Specialist / Case Manager
  • Supervising Immigration Paralegal

Lateral Moves:

  • Corporate Mobility Specialist
  • HR Generalist (with immigration focus)
  • Compliance Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Prepare and draft a high volume of employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visa petitions and applications, including H-1B, L-1, TN, O-1, E-3, PERM, I-140, and Adjustment of Status (I-485) filings.
  • Manage and monitor a large caseload, vigilantly tracking deadlines, expiration dates, and case milestones using specialized immigration software (e.g., INSZoom, LawLogix, Tracker).
  • Conduct thorough reviews of case documents and evidence provided by clients to ensure they meet strict government requirements and support the case strategy.
  • Act as a primary point of contact for foreign national employees and corporate HR representatives, providing regular status updates and clearly explaining complex immigration procedures.
  • Gather and organize extensive supporting documentation required for petitions, including educational evaluations, employment verification letters, and financial records.
  • Complete and proofread complex government forms (e.g., I-129, I-140, I-485, ETA 9089) with exceptional accuracy, ensuring all information is correct before attorney review.
  • Prepare and file responses to government Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and Notices of Intent to Deny (NOIDs) under the supervision of an attorney.
  • Initiate and manage the PERM Labor Certification process, including drafting job descriptions, overseeing recruitment efforts, and preparing audit files.
  • Maintain Public Access Files (PAFs) for H-1B petitions, ensuring full compliance with Department of Labor regulations and readiness for audits.
  • Draft and send correspondence, letters of support, and other legal documents for attorney review and signature.
  • Assist clients with the visa application process at U.S. consulates abroad, including preparing them for interviews and assembling consular packages.
  • Coordinate the translation and evaluation of foreign-language documents and educational credentials through third-party vendors.
  • Utilize government online portals, including the USCIS online filing system and the DOL's FLAG system, to submit applications and monitor case progress.
  • Keep abreast of changes in immigration laws, regulations, and procedures to ensure all filings and advice are based on the most current information.
  • Open new client matters, perform conflict checks, and ensure all initial case information is accurately entered into the case management system.
  • Compile and finalize petition packages for filing, ensuring proper assembly, pagination, and inclusion of all required forms, fees, and exhibits.
  • Assist attorneys in preparing clients and witnesses for interviews with government agencies like USCIS.
  • Manage case-related expenses and assist with the preparation of client billing and invoicing for services rendered.
  • Generate regular and ad-hoc reports on case statuses, upcoming deadlines, and employee visa expiration for corporate clients and internal management.
  • Provide comprehensive administrative support to the immigration legal team, including scheduling meetings, managing calendars, and organizing case files.

Secondary Functions

  • Maintain and meticulously organize both physical and electronic client files in accordance with firm policies and data privacy requirements.
  • Conduct basic legal and procedural research on immigration matters under the direction of a paralegal or attorney.
  • Assist in the development and maintenance of templates, checklists, and procedural guides to improve team efficiency and consistency.
  • Participate in team meetings to discuss caseload, strategy, and procedural updates.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in immigration case management software (e.g., INSZoom, LawLogix, Tracker, Cerenade).
  • In-depth knowledge of U.S. business immigration procedures and visa types (H-1B, L-1A/B, TN, O-1, E-2/3).
  • Experience with the full lifecycle of the PERM Labor Certification process.
  • Familiarity with preparing and filing immigrant petitions (I-140) and Adjustment of Status applications (I-485).
  • Expertise in preparing and completing USCIS, DOL, and DOS forms.
  • High proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams) and Adobe Acrobat Pro for form filling and document editing.
  • Ability to perform basic legal research using online government resources and legal databases.
  • Experience with electronic filing portals for USCIS and the Department of Labor (FLAG system).
  • Strong data entry skills with an extremely high level of accuracy.
  • Understanding of Public Access File (PAF) compliance requirements for H-1B cases.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills are non-negotiable.
  • Ability to manage a high-volume caseload and prioritize tasks effectively to meet competing, strict deadlines.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills for clear and professional client interaction.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to show empathy and patience when dealing with clients in stressful situations.
  • Proactive problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
  • High degree of professionalism, integrity, and discretion in handling confidential information.
  • Ability to work both independently with minimal supervision and collaboratively as part of a dedicated team.
  • Adaptability and resilience in a fast-paced, constantly changing legal environment.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Associate's Degree or a Paralegal Certificate from an ABA-approved program.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree.

Relevant Fields of Study:

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

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-4 years of hands-on experience working specifically in business immigration law, either in a law firm or a corporate in-house legal department.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of direct experience preparing and filing a significant volume of H-1B petitions and managing the PERM process from start to finish.
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