Immigrants Rights -Legal Fellow and Attorney
About The Position
Centro Legal de la Raza’s Immigrants’ Rights practice specializes in direct representation of noncitizens before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the San Francisco, Concord, and Sacramento Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals, California State Courts, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Northern Districts of California, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Centro Legal de la Raza is seeking a two-year removal defense fellow—with efforts to secure continued funding—who is committed to advancing social justice through the provision of immigration legal services. The fellow’s caseload will primarily consist of cases before both the federal courts and immigration agencies for detained and non-detained clients in removal proceedings. The fellow will also provide limited-scope legal services and consultations in clinic settings, including in ICE detention centers throughout California. This position is open immediately.
Requirements
- J.D; admitted and in good standing with the California State bar (law graduates awaiting February 2026 bar results will be considered);
- Demonstrated commitment to immigrant justice;
- Fluency in English and Spanish strongly preferred. We may consider candidates who have fluency in English and another language spoken by immigrant communities in Alameda County;
- Knowledge of and/or experience in immigration law strongly preferred, including pre-JD experience in an immigration law setting and/or personal experience with the immigration legal system; alternatively, we will consider candidates with a strong professional background working with immigrant communities in a context other than immigration law;
- Familiarity with trauma-informed lawyering skills and practices for working with survivors of violence, incarcerated individuals, and/or other forms of trauma;
- Willingness to conduct training and outreach activities throughout Alameda and Contra Costa Counties and travel to detention centers throughout California;
- Strong writing, research, analytical, organizational, and verbal communication skills;
- Ability to work cooperatively on projects with lawyers, non-lawyer legal staff, and diverse community organizations;
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity within the office and a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences regarding race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ability, socio-economic circumstance, immigration status, and record of arrest or conviction.
Nice To Haves
- strong leadership skills and experience performing presentations or trainings preferred
Responsibilities
- Provide direct immigration legal services to clients and community members, including: full-scope representation before USCIS, EOIR, ICE, and state and federal courts; limited-scope legal representation and/or pro se assistance for individuals vulnerable to enforcement and removal; and comprehensive immigration legal consultations with potential clients and community members.
- Emergency response to reports of immigration enforcement in Alameda County, including advocacy and legal representation on behalf of detained community members before the various agencies of the Department of Homeland Security as well as federal courts.
- Participate in legal workshops, presentations, clinics, and other off-site events and initiatives, including at ICE detention centers throughout California.
- Collaborate with non-attorney staff and oversee interns and volunteers on the work described above.
- Collaborate with local, regional, and national partners on policy initiatives, funding, and litigation efforts, under the lead of managing and/or directing attorneys.
- Other appropriate work as assigned by supervising, managing, and/or directing attorneys of the Immigrants’ Rights practice.
Benefits
- medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance.
- Medical coverage (Kaiser) will be provided at Centro Legal’s expense covering 100%, and 50% for dependents, spouses, and partners. Our alternative health plans with United Health Care at an additional premium cost.
- Health Care FSA, Dependent Care FSA, commuter benefits, pet insurance, and Employee Assistance Plan.
- PTO: Vacation: 0-1 year 16 days per year, 1-2 year 18 days per year, Over 2 years 23 days per year, (1) paid wellness days per month, 12 sick days per year.
- Office Closure: 12 holidays + 8 work days, to include the period from December 24th through January 1st
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
