The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) is seeking attorneys for its Headquarters District Court Litigation Division, Enforcement and Removal Operations Law Division, Human Rights Violator Law Division, Homeland Security Investigations Law Division, and Immigration Law and Practice Division. These positions may offer up to $50,000 in signing and retention bonuses. Applicants should indicate their order of preference in their cover letter.
Duties
OPLA is the largest legal program in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), employing nearly 2,000 attorneys nationwide. OPLA provides a full range of legal services to all ICE programs and offices and serves as the exclusive representative of DHS in removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review. District Court Litigation Division (DCLD) attorneys handle issues regarding adjudication of administrative claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act and all aspects of civil litigation, including legal strategy, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, in cases ranging from common-law tort suits, lawsuits under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), and claims seeking injunctive or declaratory relief. DCLD attorneys advise ICE leadership and employees regarding litigation risks and represent ICE's interests in litigation-related discussions with other DHS components and federal agencies. DCLD attorneys are also responsible for managing ICE's production of discovery in federal civil litigation. Enforcement and Removal Operations Law Division (EROLD) attorneys develop legal opinions and review and draft policy directives, legislation, regulations, and other materials for DHS, ICE, and OPLA leadership on the legal and policy aspects of Enforcement and Removal Operations' (ERO) immigration enforcement functions, including alternatives to detention, civil immigration arrest, detention, and release authorities, conditions of confinement, detainers, expedited removal processes, fugitive operations, juvenile and family unit issues, repatriation initiatives, and the 287(g) Program. EROLD attorneys provide advice to ERO personnel with regard to the same issues in individual cases. EROLD also houses OPLA's regulatory program and provides litigation support to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for federal litigation impacting ICE immigration enforcement equities. Human Rights Violator Law Division (HRVLD) attorneys provide advice and counsel in support of criminal prosecution, denaturalization, and removal efforts targeting war criminals, human rights violators, and human traffickers. HRVLD attorneys also work closely with OPLA Field Locations to support removal proceedings against human right violators. In addition, HRVLD supports the HSI Victim Assistance Program and OPLA Field Locations litigating cases involving aliens who have applied for victim-based immigration benefits and supports ICE's work on S visas, law enforcement parole, Pro Forma Visas, and the Witness Security Program. Homeland Security Investigations Law Division (HSILD) attorneys provide customs law, criminal law, and criminal immigration law advice to DHS, ICE, and OPLA leadership. This includes advising on financial crimes, asset forfeiture, the repatriation of cultural property, confidential informants and undercover operations, customs fraud, intellectual property rights, cybercrime, child exploitation, export enforcement, intelligence, identity and benefit fraud, contraband smuggling, gangs, search and seizure issues, and worksite enforcement matters. HSILD interprets and defends HSI's unique authorities; reviews national policies, novel issues, and matters of national importance; drafts proposed legislation; liaises with other law enforcement agencies; and provides advanced training to HSI special agents. HSILD provides direct support to ICE law enforcement personnel and ensures consistent nationwide legal and operational advice on these matters through coordination with OPLA Field Locations. Immigration Law and Practice Division (ILPD) attorneys review DHS appeals filed with the BIA, represent DHS in briefing before the Attorney General and in oral arguments and supplemental briefing before the BIA, and coordinate closely with DOJ and the DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters (OGC HQ) to pursue further review of adverse federal court decisions. ILPD provides guidance to OPLA Field Locations, agency leadership, DHS OGC HQ, and DOJ components on substantive immigration law issues, including, but not limited to, criminal grounds of removability, bond proceedings, and extradition. ILPD also provides specialized legal advice on matters involving refugees, asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention Against Torture, and Temporary Protected Status. Selected attorneys will immediately be given significant responsibilities and will be expected to craft persuasive, legally supportable positions to address the needs of agency operational components. Selected attorneys will be expected to routinely provide timely legal opinions to ICE officers and agents, division management, and leadership within OPLA, ICE, and the DHS Office of the General Counsel Headquarters. Selected attorneys will also provide litigation support to DOJ.
Salary
Qualifications
Unless otherwise noted, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on 08/20/2025. Please note that qualification claims will be subject to verification. Applicants should be able to efficiently produce quality legal analyses of complex and novel issues, exercise sound legal judgment, prioritize competing assignments, and work effectively independently, as part of a team, and across work units. Applicants should be detail-oriented and have a strong interest in supporting and providing stellar client services to program offices, including law enforcement officers, policymakers, attorneys, and agency senior leadership, and must be able to tailor communications to a particular audience. Applicants should be able to take initiative and work in a reliable, decisive, and professional manner. Applicants should possess the following characteristics and competencies: integrity, sound professional judgment, organizational skills, decisiveness, initiative, stellar client services, the ability to function independently and cooperatively, and superior written and oral advocacy skills. Bar Membership: You must be an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office. The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u), and/or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 C.F.R. § 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps/VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs.
Education
Applicants must be graduates of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) or LLM degree.
Other Information
Promotion Potential: This position has promotion potential to the GS-15. When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval. Bargaining Unit Status: Bargaining Unit Status varies in which division the position resides. The exclusive representative for this bargaining unit position is the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), with representation provided by AFGE, Local 511. E-Verify: DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities. Direct Deposit: All federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choosing. Veterans' Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the Excepted Service; however, OPLA considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Financial Disclosure: If you are hired, you may be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450) within 30 days after appointment. Suitability: If you receive a conditional offer of employment, you must complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment. Background Investigation: DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet these standards, all selected applicants must undergo a background investigation and successfully obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level as a condition of placement into this position. This may include a credit check, a review of financial issues such as delinquency in the payment of debts, child support and tax obligations, and a review of certain criminal offenses and illegal use or possession of drugs. Drug Test: Pursuant to Executive Order 12564 and the DHS Drug-Free Workplace Plan, ICE is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace. All applicants tentatively selected for employment are subject to pre-employment drug testing and a final offer of employment is contingent upon a negative result. A student loan repayment incentive may be available, in which case a service agreement will be required. OPLA will ensure that applicants with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations when appropriate. If reasonable accommodation is required for any part of the application process, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.
Required Documents
You must include all required documentation, as set forth below, with your application package before the closing date. No extensions will be granted. Failure to provide all of the required information as listed in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect your overall rating. Cover Letter: Your cover letter must discuss your interest in the position; your pertinent knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience; and your personal characteristics and competencies that qualify you for the position as detailed in the Duties and Qualifications sections of this announcement. Your cover letter must also include your full name; home address; home or work e-mail address(es); phone number(s) where we may contact you (cell, work, and/or home); name of law school, year of graduation, and year admitted to the bar. Applicants may apply for positions with one or more divisions and should indicate their order of preference in their cover letter. Resume: Your resume must include your complete contact information (physical address, phone number, email address), work experience and education. For each work experience listed, please include job title, duties, employer's name, employer's telephone number, employer's address, and starting and ending dates (MM/YY). Please indicate whether we may contact your current supervisor. Bar Membership/Certificate of Good Standing: Submit a copy of your bar card, certificate of good standing, or other documentary evidence to prove that you are an active member in good standing of the bar of a state, a U.S. a territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. If you are a current or former federal employee: Submit a copy of your most recent SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action that demonstrates your eligibility for consideration, e.g., length of time you have been in your current grade; your highest grade held. Examples of appropriate SF-50s include promotions, within-grade increases and accessions. If you are a current or former political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee: Submit a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information about your most recent political appointment: Position title, type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee), agency and beginning and ending dates of appointment. Veterans' Preference Documentation (if applicable): You must provide acceptable documentation of your preference or appointment eligibility. The member 4 copy of your DD214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," is preferable. If claiming 10 point preference, you will need to submit a Standard Form (SF-15), "Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference." If applying based on eligibility under the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, you must submit certification from the Armed Forces that you will be discharged or released from active duty within 120 days from the date on the certification. This must indicate your dates of service, your rank, and confirm that you will be separated under honorable conditions. View more veterans' information. You may be asked to provide a writing sample, and/or a copy of your recent performance appraisal.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the Occupational Questionnaire https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12778196 and submit the required documentation outlined under the REQUIRED DOCUMENTS section below. The complete initial Application must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on 08/20/2025 to receive consideration. To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log into your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. Note: To check the status of your application or return to a previous or incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account, select Application Status, and click on the more information link under the application status for this position. If you do not provide a valid email address, you may not be notified of the outcome of your application. Applications and supporting documentation will not be accepted by mail or email. If you need further assistance, please contact the OPLA representative listed on this announcement.
