Hi, I’m
Karina Avila
Immigration Advocate
New Jersey
You will recognize your own path when you come upon it because you will suddenly have all the energy and imagination you will ever need.
Sara Teasdale
Summary
Driven Immigrant rights advocate with a background in humanitarian based immigration relief. Dedicated, empathic professional who has gained recognition as an advocate for Spanish Speaking clients throughout New Jersey by providing direct services via a trauma-informed, client-centered approach.
Overview
5
years of professional experience
3
years of post-secondary education
2
Languages
Work History
Leschak And Associates LLCFreehold, NJ
Senior Immigration Paralegal
08.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Oversee the distribution of funds received by the firm from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network as Lead Project Manager for Labor Deferred Case referrals from New Labor.
- Assist counsel in preparing legal briefs, motions, notice of filings for deportation defense cases in addition to various other application packets for affirmative relief with USCIS.
- Routinely collaborate with outside counsel on cases. Our firm is contracted with Rutgers Law School's Immigrant Rights Clinic to handle a few highly complex cases, on which I am directly involved.
- Conduct client intake screenings, proactively identifying potential issues and concerns so that the attorneys may better determine client service needs and eligibility.
- Primary contact for the clients for whom I manage various matters. I assess client's needs and communicate those needs to the attorneys, expertly walking the line between assisting clients to the best of my capacity and the unlawful practice of law.
- Regularly attend webinars, and assist Mr. Leschak, Esq. in monitoring changes in laws, regulations and other legal matters to keep firm compliant with changes to policy.
- Educate law enforcement agents on complex nuances associated with foreign nationals and support them on a case by case biases.
- Key Role in new employee onboarding process. Educate and train new colleagues on immigration law and legal standards, as well as on firm practices and procedures. I meet new hires where they are in terms of their immigration law knowledge, ranging from no immigration backgrounds, to extensive experience.
- Support Role to paralegals, associates and other staff as Senior Paralegal, and one of the longest employed staff at the firm.
- Currently, developing internship program for firm.
HIAS PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA
(Partially) Accredited DOJ Representative
08.2020 - 08.2021
Job overview
- Partnered with DV service providers to in Lehigh County, PA provide direct legal services to immigrant survivors through HIAS PA's Survivors of Domestic Violence Initiative.
- Engaged with Leigh community leaders through outreach and collaborated with them remotely to organize education events aim at helping survivors access services during the pandemic.
- Organized Student Groups at Leigh University and lead DV/SA information sessions where I taught students to interact with survivors they encounter on campus through a client centered, DV conscience approach.
Latin American Legal Defense And Education FundTrenton, NJ
Legal Coordinator/ Immigration Paralegal
02.2019 - 08.2020
Job overview
- Department head during ED transition period, lead team to meet grant guidelines.
- Liaison for Law Enforcement Agencies and point of contact for legal managers at other non-profit organizations.
- Assisted in recruiting and training first-generation college interns.
- Fostered lasting relationships with clients through effective communication and quick response, resulting in long-term success in cases.
Education
Rutgers, The State University of New JerseyNewark
Bachelor of Arts from Public And Non-profit Administration
09.2023 - 05.2025
University Overview
- HLLC Scholar
Brookdale Community CollegeLincroft, NJ
Associate of Arts from Political Science
09.2013 - 05.2015
Skills
Case Management
Community Engagement/Outreach
Program Development
Immigration Law Support
Onboarding
Immigration Issues
Planning and Coordination
Analytical and Critical Thinking
Accomplishments
- Received recognition from Monmouth and Ocean County Prosecutors' office as well as from other immigration advocates in the state for my advocacy efforts as a liaised between law enforcement agencies, non-profit organizations and my clients.
- Expanded relief options at my firm by exploring the nuances of T-visas.
- Created Procedure for Screening Labor Deferred Cases after new relief option was announced by DHS in order to increase efficiency while adhering to a client centered approach. This granted our firm a competitive head start when new cases began to emerge, allowing us to collaborate with Non-profit organizations and increase screening reach.
Timeline
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
Bachelor of Arts from Public And Non-profit Administration
09.2023 - 05.2025
Senior Immigration Paralegal
Leschak And Associates LLC
08.2021 - Current
(Partially) Accredited DOJ Representative
HIAS Pennsylvania
08.2020 - 08.2021
Legal Coordinator/ Immigration Paralegal
Latin American Legal Defense And Education Fund
02.2019 - 08.2020
Brookdale Community College
Associate of Arts from Political Science
09.2013 - 05.2015