Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Staff Attorney (Immigration Removal Defense)
Immigrant Defenders Law Center, Santa Ana, California, United States, 92725
Overview
Staff Attorney (Immigration Removal Defense) – Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef believes no immigrant should face an unjust immigration system alone. Our universal representation programs are a first step toward that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org. ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have complex and urgent legal needs as they face the immigration system. ImmDef is seeking full-time staff attorneys to join a team of advocates providing creative and zealous representation to clients. Staff attorneys will join the largest nonprofit, universal representation deportation defense team in California. Attorneys work collaboratively with managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. This is a rewarding position focused on cutting edge immigration litigation for individual clients while advancing our mission of a more just immigration system. Responsibilities
Provide direct representation in removal proceedings to unaccompanied children, adults with mental competency issues, and detained or non-detained adults and families, including clients with juvenile or criminal histories. Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for clients facing deportation proceedings. Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans. Represent SIJS-eligible youth in related state court proceedings or coordinate with juvenile dependency and delinquency counsel for SIJS predicate orders. Identify need for post-conviction relief and collaborate with ImmDef’s Post-Conviction Relief team to pursue remedies. File appeals, motions to reopen or reconsider, and habeas corpus petitions as needed and as program capacity permits. Coordinate with public defenders and appointed counsel for clients with ongoing criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings. Travel to shelters, ICE detention centers, and custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, gather declarations, complete immigration benefit applications, and provide legal advice. Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, merits hearings, and ancillary state court proceedings. Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins, and other immigration-related appointments. Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations, and other supporting evidence for removal defense. Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for relief applications. Collaborate with colleagues, participate in weekly group case reviews, trainings, and supervise support staff’s legal work. Support ImmDef’s mission by engaging with communities, mentoring peers, and participating in events. Perform other duties as assigned to support programmatic and organizational needs. Requirements
Juris Doctorate or LL.M. Active California State Bar license or licensure from another state or U.S. jurisdiction; willingness and eligibility to waive into the CA Bar via Multi-Jurisdictional Practice if required. Strong case management, legal research, and writing skills. Willingness to pursue new and untested legal theories. Ability to take initiative and work under pressure. Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment. Passion for social justice for immigrants. Preferred Qualifications
Experience in asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, SIJS, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, criminal-immigration consequences, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization, or related areas. Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus; training is provided. Experience working with survivors and clients who have experienced trauma or mental health challenges. Knowledge of best practices for clients with mental competency issues and children. Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment. DACA recipients are encouraged to apply. Language Proficiency
Spanish proficiency strongly preferred and required for most removal defense roles; fluency in other languages is helpful. Compensation, Benefits and Schedule
Starting salary range: $75,000 to $90,000 DOE. Full-time, part of ImmDef’s employee union bargaining unit. Salary based on experience per the union agreement. Standard benefits include health, dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401(k) with employer matching; Paid Time Off and holidays; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; parking and public transportation stipends; cell phone stipend where applicable; parental leave. Office locations primarily in the Greater Los Angeles Area, with travel to Santa Ana as needed.
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Staff Attorney (Immigration Removal Defense) – Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef) is a next-generation, social justice law firm that provides high-quality representation and legal services to immigrants in Southern California and beyond. ImmDef believes no immigrant should face an unjust immigration system alone. Our universal representation programs are a first step toward that goal. Learn more about us at www.immdef.org. ImmDef represents thousands of adults, children and families annually who have complex and urgent legal needs as they face the immigration system. ImmDef is seeking full-time staff attorneys to join a team of advocates providing creative and zealous representation to clients. Staff attorneys will join the largest nonprofit, universal representation deportation defense team in California. Attorneys work collaboratively with managing and directing attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff and case managers to provide client-centered, holistic representation. This is a rewarding position focused on cutting edge immigration litigation for individual clients while advancing our mission of a more just immigration system. Responsibilities
Provide direct representation in removal proceedings to unaccompanied children, adults with mental competency issues, and detained or non-detained adults and families, including clients with juvenile or criminal histories. Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for clients facing deportation proceedings. Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans. Represent SIJS-eligible youth in related state court proceedings or coordinate with juvenile dependency and delinquency counsel for SIJS predicate orders. Identify need for post-conviction relief and collaborate with ImmDef’s Post-Conviction Relief team to pursue remedies. File appeals, motions to reopen or reconsider, and habeas corpus petitions as needed and as program capacity permits. Coordinate with public defenders and appointed counsel for clients with ongoing criminal or juvenile delinquency proceedings. Travel to shelters, ICE detention centers, and custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, gather declarations, complete immigration benefit applications, and provide legal advice. Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, merits hearings, and ancillary state court proceedings. Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins, and other immigration-related appointments. Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations, and other supporting evidence for removal defense. Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for relief applications. Collaborate with colleagues, participate in weekly group case reviews, trainings, and supervise support staff’s legal work. Support ImmDef’s mission by engaging with communities, mentoring peers, and participating in events. Perform other duties as assigned to support programmatic and organizational needs. Requirements
Juris Doctorate or LL.M. Active California State Bar license or licensure from another state or U.S. jurisdiction; willingness and eligibility to waive into the CA Bar via Multi-Jurisdictional Practice if required. Strong case management, legal research, and writing skills. Willingness to pursue new and untested legal theories. Ability to take initiative and work under pressure. Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment. Passion for social justice for immigrants. Preferred Qualifications
Experience in asylum, withholding of removal, CAT, SIJS, cancellation, waivers, adjustment of status, criminal-immigration consequences, bond, humanitarian parole, post-conviction relief, habeas petitions, BIA appeals, motions to reopen, naturalization, or related areas. Experience in immigration law (non-profit or private practice) is a plus; training is provided. Experience working with survivors and clients who have experienced trauma or mental health challenges. Knowledge of best practices for clients with mental competency issues and children. Commitment to working in a diverse professional environment. DACA recipients are encouraged to apply. Language Proficiency
Spanish proficiency strongly preferred and required for most removal defense roles; fluency in other languages is helpful. Compensation, Benefits and Schedule
Starting salary range: $75,000 to $90,000 DOE. Full-time, part of ImmDef’s employee union bargaining unit. Salary based on experience per the union agreement. Standard benefits include health, dental and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; 401(k) with employer matching; Paid Time Off and holidays; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; parking and public transportation stipends; cell phone stipend where applicable; parental leave. Office locations primarily in the Greater Los Angeles Area, with travel to Santa Ana as needed.
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