The Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC) is dedicated to providing equal access to justice for immigrants. The Bilingual Removal Defense Staff Attorney will offer legal representation to individuals in removal proceedings and work closely with a Rapid Response Team to address urgent legal needs.
Responsibilities
- Represent clients in removal proceedings before Immigration Court, including:
- Master calendar hearings
- Individual merits hearings
- Bond hearings
- Motions to reopen, reconsider, and terminate
- Provide representation in detained and non-detained cases
- Prepare and file applications for relief, including but not limited to:
- Asylum, withholding of removal, and CAT
- Cancellation of removal
- Adjustment of status
- VAWA and SIJS-related relief (as applicable)
- Represent clients before USCIS, including affirmative filings and interviews
- Provide federal court representation, including habeas petitions and emergency filings, as assigned
- Work closely with the Rapid Response Team to respond to ICE enforcement actions, arrests, and detention
- Conduct emergency legal intakes and provide time-sensitive legal advocacy
- Coordinate with community partners, advocates, and family members during enforcement incidents
- Maintain a manageable caseload with attention to quality, ethics, and deadlines
- Conduct client interviews, legal screenings, and know-your-rights consultations
- Draft legal memoranda, declarations, affidavits, and supporting documentation
- Collaborate with legal assistants, paralegals, and case managers
- Participate in legal team meetings, strategy sessions, and trainings
- Stay current on changes in immigration law, policy, and litigation trends
- Support organizational advocacy and community education efforts as appropriate
Skills
- J.D. and active bar admission (California state bar required)
- Driver's License required
- Advanced fluency in Spanish language required
- At least one year of experience working with immigrants, refugees, or with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma
- Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing
- Capacity to work both collaboratively and independently
- Ability to be flexible and adapt to frequently changing circumstances, policies, and conditions affecting this dynamic work
- Passion for social justice for immigrants is required
- Possess some federal court representation experience is a plus, but not required
- Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers
- Experience in immigration law (nonprofit or private practice) is a plus, but not required, as we are ready and able to provide training
Benefits
- $1,500 salary enhancement for additional qualifying languages beyond English and Spanish
- Generous PTO, plus 10 holidays and a two-week winter break
- Medical, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, dental benefits, and retirement benefits
- Monthly Wellness Stipend
- Student Loan Repayment Assistance Stipend
- Generous Parental & Family Leave
Company Overview
We are a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit agency promoting equal access to justice and due process by providing pro bono legal services to indigent immigrants in deportation proceedings and educating immigrants on their basic civil rights. It was founded in 2018, and is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, US, with a workforce of 2-10 employees. Its website is https://www.sbimmigrantdefense.org/.
Apply Now