Immigration Staff Attorney

We are looking for an Immigration Staff Attorney to join our team in Los Angeles!

WHO WE ARE

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization that advocates for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL supports over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. AJSOCAL offers free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change. Our services are open to individuals of all races and ethnicities, without restriction. AJSOCAL strives to be a champion for the most vulnerable members of the AAPI communities, while advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone. 

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California offices are located in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with presence in Sacramento, ensuring accessibility for all. With our Advancing Justice affiliates in Atlanta, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., we enrich, enhance, and serve our communities all across the country. 

We provide supportive services for individuals wanting to start the immigration process through Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, the Violence Against Women Act, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T-Visa, and U-Visa. We also offer free citizenship workshops and resources to help you on your naturalization journey. Beyond immigration, we also lead community-centered initiatives such as the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and our Health Access Project (HAP). In addition, our Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams drive data-informed strategies and grassroots partnerships that deepen our impact across Southern California. Our Impact Litigation Team looks to create systemic change for our communities, while our Policy Team continues to shape laws and local practices that impact millions of Asian American and immigrant families across California. 

WHAT WE BRING

• The special opportunity to join a mission driven team
• Flexible, hybrid work schedules
• Rich medical, dental and vision benefits
• Retirement options through 403B and match

WHO YOU ARE

You share our mission of advocacy for Asian Pacific Americans. You enjoy the thrill of serving the public interest while championing civil rights and social justice. You take pride in your work enriching lives and communities in Los Angeles and across the country. You are looking for your next role in an organization that supports your career as much as you support the organization and its goals. You are looking for a job where you make a difference, and your impact is directly proportional to your contribution. You are a game changer. You are a leader. You are an advocate.

WHAT YOU BRING

• J.D. and active membership in California State Bar
• Minimum one (1) year of immigration experience, preferably with removal proceeding experience and experience working with refugees, victims of domestic violence, crimes, and trafficking.
• Experience assisting immigrant, limited English speaking and/or low-income clients
• Experience appearing in immigration court preferred
• Experience or familiarity with AAPI community preferred 
• Excellent legal writing, speaking, and organizational skills
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients
• Bilingual fluency in an AAPI language strongly preferred
• Must be self-motivated with the ability to work independently
• Availability and willingness to regularly travel within the county and state
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends 
• Access to reliable means of transportation required

ABOUT THE ROLE

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Staff Attorney is responsible for performing client counseling and representation duties. The Staff Attorney meets with and advises clients of immigrant legal rights and issues, conducts legal research and writing, prepares court forms, prepares immigration applications, and performs other legal duties. The Staff Attorney works directly on complex immigration cases, with a current emphasis on relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family Based Petitions, DACA, and Removal Defense. The Staff Attorney represents clients before USCIS and the Executive Office for Immigration Review.  The Staff Attorney provides technical support and capacity building to other nonprofit organizations on immigration, and staff evening and weekend workshops. In addition, the Staff Attorney conducts immigration trainings, community outreach and education to local organizations and other partners. The position is covered under the Collective Bargaining Unit.

Your day-to-day typically includes:

75% Client support and representation for various types of immigration cases

• Provide consults and direct legal representation in complex immigration cases filed affirmatively before USCIS field offices and Asylum offices
• Provide consults and legal representation for removal defense at EOIR
• Prepare court forms, immigration applications and other documents on behalf of clients
• Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables
• Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct service assistance

15% Community Outreach & Education

• Help develop and execute community outreach strategies for the Immigration Services Program, including how to inform appropriate responses to community needs and requests
• Conduct outreach engagements with local community-based organizations and adult education centers to present information sessions on Naturalization and Immigration law

10% Immigration & Citizenship Legal Clinic Support

• Provide consults, legal support and review at weekly clinics at onsite and remote locations
• Help train and oversee work of volunteers at workshops and clinics
• Work closely with the Immigration Director to help plan and strategize culturally competent service models to address relevant immigration needs
• Aid in operational elements of clinic including preparation, setup, and break down
• Other duties as assigned

At AJSOCAL, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws.  AJSOCAL strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or other covered persons, including interns.

All positions are subject to funding, and non-collective bargaining unit positions are also at will.