Staff Attorney, Immigration - 2 Openings

UFW Foundation • Bakersfield, CA

9d • $70,404 - $83,500 • Hybrid

About The Position

This role involves carrying a full caseload of affirmative relief and removal defense cases, which are critical for determining family unity and reunification. The work includes direct representation to move cases through USCIS or immigration court, as well as community lawyering such as campus outreach, group processing events, and Know Your Rights workshops. The UFW Foundation has been dedicated for nearly 20 years to ensuring farm workers and immigrants can live and work with dignity, safety, and respect. They advocate for equitable policies and run one of the largest federally accredited immigration legal services programs in California. They are also building a Workers’ Rights program to address wage theft, unsafe conditions, and retaliation. The legal work spans direct representation and advocacy, with programs growing to meet current demands.

Requirements

• Licensed attorney in good standing in any U.S. state, or a J.D. with bar results pending (California bar preferred, not required).
• Functional bilingual proficiency in Spanish and English, sufficient to conduct a client intake or explain legal options directly without an interpreter.
• Valid driver's license and reliable vehicle access for regional travel.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of core immigration relief categories: naturalization, DACA, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, SIJS, VAWA, U/T visas, TPS, asylum/withholding/CAT, and removal defense.
• Direct representation or clinical/externship experience appearing before USCIS, EOIR, or state courts.
• Experience delivering Know Your Rights presentations or other community legal education.
• Additional language ability, including indigenous languages.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload across affirmative relief and removal defense: naturalization, DACA renewal, family-based petitions, adjustment of status, asylum, withholding, and CAT relief, VAWA, U and T visas, SIJS, and Cancellation of Removal.
• Represent adults, families, and children, including unaccompanied children, before USCIS, EOIR, California state courts, and federal District Courts, including bond hearings and full removal defense.
• Conduct client intake, draft pleadings and applications for relief, and maintain timely, accurate case records.
• Review criminal dispositions and analyze their immigration consequences.
• Conduct outreach at your assigned community college campus.
• Assist with naturalization and DACA renewal group processing events.
• Deliver Know Your Rights presentations and other sessions on affirmative immigration relief in the community.
• Support the UFW Foundation's Community Advancement Services department with application workshops and related events, as assigned.
• Attend scheduled "triage" meetings to help screen potential clients.
• Work closely with your Directing Attorney to coordinate strategy and maximize case output.
• Provide training and technical assistance to UFW Foundation staff, interns, fellows, volunteers, and partner organizations.
• Recruit and coordinate pro bono and low-bono attorney support.
• Identify trends in DHS practice and community needs, and help translate them into advocacy priorities.

Benefits

• Salary: $70,404–$83,500 annually, depending on experience, with yearly increases tied to individual, team, and organizational performance.
• Health coverage: medical, dental, and vision, with the majority of premiums paid by the UFW Foundation and pre-taxed.
• Retirement: the Juan de la Cruz Pension Plan (automatic enrollment, guaranteed 6.5% interest), a 403(b) with a 2% dollar-for-dollar match after 90 days providing employees contribute a minimum of 2% of their annual salary, and a Fidelity 401(k) available from your date of hire.
• Time off: 2–4 weeks of vacation depending on tenure, 16 paid holidays including a floating personal day, 6 paid sick days, 1 mental health day, and 5 days of bereavement leave per immediate family member.
• Support: a no-cost Employee Assistance Program, free access to thousands of professional development courses, and a 20% discount on immigration services for you and your family.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree