CAIR-CA
Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney - Removal Defense & Detained Cases
CAIR-CA, Santa Clara, California, us, 95053
Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney – Removal Defense & Detained Cases
Title:
Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney Location:
CAIR Santa Clara Office – hybrid schedule (three days in-person, two days remote) Schedule Type:
Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required Reporting Relationships:
Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney Work Authorization:
Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (vehicle and driver's license necessary)
Duties & Responsibilities
Carry a significant caseload with emphasis on detained and non-detained removal defense cases and provide high-quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings
Represent clients before EOIR, BIA, USCIS, ICE, and CBP in asylum, withholding, CAT, cancellation, bond, and other immigration matters
Conduct detailed client intakes, legal screenings, and case assessments
Provide individualized client counseling on immigration options and risks
Prepare and file applications, motions, and appeals for detained and non-detained cases
Prepare and litigate bond motions to secure release for detained clients
Conduct routine visits to detention centers, ensuring access to clients and monitoring conditions affecting representation
Impact & Strategic Litigation
Take initiative in spotting and advancing impact or strategic litigation opportunities related to removal defense and detention cases, coordinating with colleagues at CAIR-SFBA and across CAIR-CA to align with broader organizational goals
Support the development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges
Community Engagement
Participate in Know Your Rights presentations, pro se support, and immigration legal clinics, with emphasis on detention-related issues
Collaborate with local coalitions, visitation programs, and immigrant justice networks to expand support for detained immigrants
Legal Research & Writing
Conduct case-specific research on statutes, regulations, and case law
Draft motions, appeals, briefs, and other filings with strong attention to detail and client-centered advocacy
Provide technical expertise to colleagues on detained removal defense when requested
Grant Compliance & Support
Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes
General Organizational Support
Provide limited supervision and mentorship to legal staff, such as other attorneys, caseworkers, law clerks, or interns, as assigned
Partner with Communications staff to highlight the impact of detained removal defense
Support organizational events and fundraising initiatives as needed
Required Qualifications
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; California strongly preferred
Minimum three years of immigration law experience with at least two years focused on removal defense, including detained cases and bond hearings
Demonstrated success handling detained dockets and related relief
Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
Excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage a complex caseload
Demonstrated commitment to defending low-income immigrants and other vulnerable populations
Flexibility to travel to detention centers, courts, and community sites, including occasional early mornings or evenings
Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to detention centers and courts across the Bay Area
Deep commitment to CAIR-SFBA's mission of defending civil rights and empowering immigrant communities
Preferred Qualifications
Experience providing mentorship, training, or supervision to legal staff (attorneys, caseworkers, or interns)
Experience with federal appeals or habeas petitions
Experience working in nonprofit, community-based, or faith-based organizations
Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Urdu
Compensation
Compensation in the range of $93,000-112,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Fully paid Kaiser Health Insurance and Blue Cross PPO Dental Plan for employee and dependents
3% retirement matching contribution
12 paid holidays, 10 sick days, and 12 vacation days
To Apply Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest and relevant experience, especially with detained removal defense; (2) your resume; (3) a short legal writing sample; and (4) the names and contact information of three references.
CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney Location:
CAIR Santa Clara Office – hybrid schedule (three days in-person, two days remote) Schedule Type:
Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required Reporting Relationships:
Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney Work Authorization:
Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (vehicle and driver's license necessary)
Duties & Responsibilities
Carry a significant caseload with emphasis on detained and non-detained removal defense cases and provide high-quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings
Represent clients before EOIR, BIA, USCIS, ICE, and CBP in asylum, withholding, CAT, cancellation, bond, and other immigration matters
Conduct detailed client intakes, legal screenings, and case assessments
Provide individualized client counseling on immigration options and risks
Prepare and file applications, motions, and appeals for detained and non-detained cases
Prepare and litigate bond motions to secure release for detained clients
Conduct routine visits to detention centers, ensuring access to clients and monitoring conditions affecting representation
Impact & Strategic Litigation
Take initiative in spotting and advancing impact or strategic litigation opportunities related to removal defense and detention cases, coordinating with colleagues at CAIR-SFBA and across CAIR-CA to align with broader organizational goals
Support the development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges
Community Engagement
Participate in Know Your Rights presentations, pro se support, and immigration legal clinics, with emphasis on detention-related issues
Collaborate with local coalitions, visitation programs, and immigrant justice networks to expand support for detained immigrants
Legal Research & Writing
Conduct case-specific research on statutes, regulations, and case law
Draft motions, appeals, briefs, and other filings with strong attention to detail and client-centered advocacy
Provide technical expertise to colleagues on detained removal defense when requested
Grant Compliance & Support
Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes
General Organizational Support
Provide limited supervision and mentorship to legal staff, such as other attorneys, caseworkers, law clerks, or interns, as assigned
Partner with Communications staff to highlight the impact of detained removal defense
Support organizational events and fundraising initiatives as needed
Required Qualifications
J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction; California strongly preferred
Minimum three years of immigration law experience with at least two years focused on removal defense, including detained cases and bond hearings
Demonstrated success handling detained dockets and related relief
Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
Excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage a complex caseload
Demonstrated commitment to defending low-income immigrants and other vulnerable populations
Flexibility to travel to detention centers, courts, and community sites, including occasional early mornings or evenings
Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to detention centers and courts across the Bay Area
Deep commitment to CAIR-SFBA's mission of defending civil rights and empowering immigrant communities
Preferred Qualifications
Experience providing mentorship, training, or supervision to legal staff (attorneys, caseworkers, or interns)
Experience with federal appeals or habeas petitions
Experience working in nonprofit, community-based, or faith-based organizations
Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Urdu
Compensation
Compensation in the range of $93,000-112,000 annually, commensurate with experience
Fully paid Kaiser Health Insurance and Blue Cross PPO Dental Plan for employee and dependents
3% retirement matching contribution
12 paid holidays, 10 sick days, and 12 vacation days
To Apply Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest and relevant experience, especially with detained removal defense; (2) your resume; (3) a short legal writing sample; and (4) the names and contact information of three references.
CAIR-CA is an equal-opportunity employer and adheres to all federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination.
#J-18808-Ljbffr