OC Removal Defense Staff Attorney

ASIAN AMERICANS ADVANCING JUSTICE SOUTHERN CA•Anaheim, CA

2d•$75,300 - $125,500•Hybrid

About The Position

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) is seeking a Removal Defense Staff Attorney for its OC office. AJSOCAL is a leading legal and civil rights organization advocating for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Founded in 1983, AJSOCAL provides free legal help, engages in impact litigation, and advocates for policy change, serving over 15,000 individuals and organizations annually. The organization offers services to individuals of all races and ethnicities, focusing on supporting vulnerable members of the AAPI communities and advancing civil rights and social justice for everyone. AJSOCAL has offices in downtown Los Angeles and Orange County, with a presence in Sacramento, and collaborates with Advancing Justice affiliates nationwide. Their services include support for various immigration processes such as Family-Based Immigration, Asylum, Temporary Protected Status, VAWA, SIJS, T-Visa, and U-Visa, as well as citizenship workshops. They also lead community-centered initiatives like the Asian Language Legal Intake Project (ALLIP), the Survivor and Family Empowerment (SAFE) Project, the Housing Preservation (HP) Program, and the Health Access Project (HAP). Their Demographic Research Project (DRP) and Community Engagement (CE) teams use data-driven strategies and grassroots partnerships to enhance their impact. The Impact Litigation Team aims for systemic change, while the Policy Team influences laws and local practices affecting Asian American and immigrant families in California.

Requirements

J.D. and active California State Bar License
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

Nice To Haves

Caseload may eventually incorporate some affirmative cases, as commensurate with need or should removal defense demand wane.

Responsibilities

Provide high-quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings through zealous direct representation.
Determine eligibility for immigration relief and advise clients.
Conduct legal research and writing, draft motions and briefs, prepare court forms, and prepare immigration applications.
Perform other related legal duties before EOIR, BIA, and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Work directly on complex immigration cases, with a current emphasis on removal defense and managing a predominant removal defense caseload.
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.
Represent clients before USCIS, ICE ISAP (Intensive Supervision Program) check-ins, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review.
Provide work surrounding Post Conviction Relief, including criminal/immigration analysis, negotiations with the District Attorney’s office, and filings and appearances before California Superior Court.
Provide technical support and capacity building to pro bono counsel, other nonprofit organizations, and staff evening and weekend workshops.
Conduct immigration trainings, community outreach, and education to local organizations and partners.
Provide direct application assistance with immigration cases.
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.
File Motions to Reopen with EOIR for clients who have received PCR to regain immigration status and any appeals.
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.
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.
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.