Oasis Legal Services empowers low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants who have survived violent persecution due to their sexuality, gender identity, and/or HIV status by increasing access to quality, culturally responsive legal representation and social services.
Oasis Legal Services provides quality, holistic and trauma-informed immigration and social services to low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants and is the leading organization on the West Coast championing statewide and national policies benefitting LGBTQ+ immigrants.
We empower LGBTQ+ immigrants — Oasis specializes in trainings and engage in movement lawyering that spotlight the unique experiences of our clients (those fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries based on their sexuality, gender, and/or HIV status).
Our advocacy efforts include:
(1) Individual Advocacy: Empowering queer and trans immigrants to fight for their rights as plaintiffs in lawsuits and preparing them to share their own experiences when ready
(2) Impact Litigation and Partnerships for Policy Advocacy: As organizational plaintiffs, we challenge laws that infringe upon the rights of LGBTQ+ immigrants and we actively serve in over 10 different coalitions (regional, statewide, and national), addressing policies from Food Justice to Health Access, elevating the experiences of queer and trans immigrants
(3) Training and Capacity Building: Our training catalog includes topics like “LGBTQ+ Asylum Law,” “Asylum for Those Living with HIV,” “Conducting Psychological Examinations for LGBTQ+ Asylum Seekers,” and more — Contact us to learn more about our training catalog
(4) Data Sharing: We conduct client interviews, collect surveys, and gather anecdotes to support research-based reports and inform best practices and policy improvements to government entities, educational institutions, service providers, media, law firms, and others
We are looking for advocates who are deeply invested in our mission, have a demonstrated understanding of how privilege plays a role in their lives, and who practice cultural humility. Oasis is seeking individuals with a combination of the following skills and experiences:
(a) Finance: Skills to serve as a treasurer, understanding of finance, accounting, budget management and/or impact investing.
(b) Governance: Board leadership and governance experience, including drafting board resolutions, facilitating meetings, and maintaining Board records.
(c) Development/Fundraising: Experience in strategic short and long-term revenue generation, donor retention, relations, and recruitment, scaling and diversifying the fundraising strategies.
(d) Marketing/Communications: Experience in public relations, marketing, and communications for compelling messages/narratives, outreach campaigns, and brand strategy that is people centered and/or supports social causes.
People who have been personally (or who have loved ones) impacted by the immigration system are specifically encouraged to apply. LGBTQ+ individuals and People of Color are highly encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants can live anywhere in the United States. Board work is primarily conducted virtually, with the expectation of at least one in-person meeting each year. Board terms are for two years with the opportunity to renew.
Oasis Legal Services (Oasis) empowers low-income LGBTQ+ immigrants who have survived violence and persecution due to their sexuality, gender identity, and/or HIV status by increasing access to quality, culturally responsive legal representation and social services.
Each Board Director makes a sustained, meaningful difference in the lives of LGBTQ+ immigrants. With passion for LGBTQ+ civil rights, our Board members are leaders who envision a future where all LGBTQ+ immigrants are free from persecution. Our Board is a warm and dedicated collaborative group that is committed to the growth of our organization. We are seeking individuals who are thoughtful, communicative, and have a desire to invest their time and talents to support our mission. Board members should attend at least one meeting per quarter (via Zoom) and commit to an annual in-person day-long retreat. The Board stewards the financial well-being of our organization and works collaboratively with the Executive Director to develop a major donor base, either through personal connections or networking.
