Senior Policy Analyst for Immigration

The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is a nonpartisan research and policy institute that advances federal and state policies to help build a nation where everyone — regardless of income, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, ZIP code, immigration status, or disability status — has the resources they need to thrive and share in the nation’s prosperity. 

CBPP combines rigorous research and analysis, strategic communications, and effective advocacy to shape debates, affect policy, and inform effective implementation both nationally and in states. It works closely with a broad set of national, state, and community organizations to design and advance policies that promote economic justice; improve health; broaden opportunity in areas like housing, health care, employment, and education; and lower structural barriers for people of color and others in communities that continue to face systemic barriers to opportunity. CBPP promotes policies that will build a more equitable nation and fair tax policies that can support these gains over the long term. CBPP also shows the harmful impacts of policies and proposals that would deepen poverty, widen disparities, and worsen health outcomes.

CBPP’s immigration work focuses on the intersection of immigration policy and policies related to ensuring people with low or modest incomes have access to public benefit programs and other supports. Our work includes analyzing and advocating for state and federal legislation, policies, and operations and promoting effective approaches that help ensure that immigrants and their families have access to public benefit programs and other supports without experiencing eligibility and/or application barriers. This work is done in close collaboration with policy teams across CBPP and in partnership with many national and state partners that focus on immigration and public benefit policies.

CBPP is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst for Immigration to support its work promoting the advancement and implementation of immigrant-inclusive federal and state policies and defending against policies that seek to reduce access to benefits for people who are immigrants or in families that include immigrants.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and write analyses on immigration-related policy issues, focusing on the impact on low- and moderate-income people. Author and contribute to materials intended to advance policy objectives including blog posts, guidance documents, memos, webinars, trainings, social media posts, and policy papers.
• Interpret, critique, and explain academic and additional research to understand the impact of immigration and public benefits policies on people who are immigrants and their family members.
• Stay informed on national and state policy developments through media, newsletters, partnerships, and meetings. Share insights with stakeholders, brief your supervisor, and recommend actions on emerging issues.
• Respond to urgent immigration-related information requests from policymakers, media, and national organizations using data analysis, real-life stories, and technical explanations of policies and their potential impacts.
• Organize and facilitate webinars, meetings, and other events that allow CBPP to engage stakeholders and advocates in the advancement of positive policies and defend against policies that would harm people who are immigrants. This includes building containers to allow CBPP to learn from and partner with people with lived expertise in these issue areas.
• Represent CBPP in key coalitions such as the Protecting Immigrant Families coalition and relay relevant matters to other CBPP staff to ensure CBPP understands the priorities of organizations focused on advancing equitable immigration-related policies. 

Qualifications: 

• A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and at least seven years of experience working in immigration policy. A graduate degree in a relevant field may be substituted for two years’ work experience.
• Understanding of immigration-related eligibility and enrollment policies for public benefits. Experience in analyzing immigration policies and the ability to quickly distill their potential impact (including writing talking points, briefing materials, blogs, memos, papers, etc. 
• Experience working in teams and coalitions including advocates, legislatures, or government entities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to a range of audiences (including policymakers, advocates, and the media) to synthesize data and research into clear, effective arguments.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to work independently, and ability to stay on track and meet deadlines for multiple assignments.  
• Desire to develop or deepen your understanding of federa