Removal Defense Staff Attorney

We are looking for a Removal Defense 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 California State Bar License or licensure from another U.S. state 
• Driver’s License required as this position requires regular travel to meet with detained individuals, as well as regular in-person immigration court appearances 
• Minimum 1 year of removal defense experience 
• At least one year of experience working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma, and/or working with immigrant and refugee children 
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to frequently changing circumstances, policies, and conditions affecting this dynamic work 
• Passion for social justice for immigrants required 

ABOUT THE ROLE

Due to the increasing urgency of our Removal Defense representation needs for our clients and communities, we are looking to have this Staff Attorney start ASAP! 

Under the direction of the Program Director, the Removal Defense Staff Attorney is responsible for providing high quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings through zealous direct representation. This position determines eligibility for immigration relief and advises clients, conducts legal research and writing, drafts motions and briefs, prepares court forms, prepares immigration applications, and performs other related legal duties. This position will work directly on complex immigration cases, with a current emphasis on removal defense and will be assuming a sizeable existing removal defense caseload. This position will be expected to represent clients in bond hearings, detention, removal proceedings, appeals, writs of habeas corpus, as well as ancillary affirmative relief for survivors (VAWA, U & T Visas), Asylum (Affirmative & Defensive), Adjustment of Status, Family Based Petitions, TPS and DACA. This position will also represent clients before USCIS, ICE ISAP (Intensive Supervision Program) check-ins, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review. This position will provide technical support and capacity building to pro bono counsel, other nonprofit organizations, and when necessary, staffs evening and weekend workshops. In addition, the Staff Attorney conducts immigration trainings, community outreach and education to local organizations and other partners. The caseload for this incoming Staff Attorney position will focus primarily on removal defense representation for existing clients. The caseload may eventually incorporate some affirmative cases, as commensurate with need or should removal defense demand wane. This position IS covered under the Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Your day-to-day typically includes:

75% Provide direct application assistance with immigration cases 

• Provide high quality direct representation for diverse clients with complex immigration cases before EOIR and USCIS   
• Represent clients in ICE custody, including travelling to detention centers and other custodial settings  
• Represent clients in custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings and in ancillary state court proceedings where applicable  
• Represent clients at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins and other immigration related appointments 
• Prepare briefs, motions, supporting evidence, immigration applications and other documents on behalf of clients 
• Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications 
• Maintain an active caseload to meet project deliverables 
• Undertake administrative and logistical duties related to direct service assistance  
• Conduct legal review of immigration cases 
• Travel to offsite clinics, immigration courts, detention centers, and USCIS field offices to represent clients in immigration matters 

15% Provide Technical Assistance and Support 

• Organize and implement various immigration trainings to staff, pro bono counsel and community partners  
• Work with intake staff to review and approve appointments, provide immigration legal consultations, answer immigration related questions and review documents;   
• Provide technical assistance, legal review, and/or coordination support of workshops and clinics 

10% Community Outreach and 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 partners to present information sessions on Immigration, Naturalization and Immigrant Rights 
• 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.