IMPOWER Staff Attorney

Organizational Background:

The National Immigration Project is a national membership organization of attorneys, advocates, and community members who believe that all people should be treated with dignity, live freely, and flourish. For over 50 years, the organization has litigated, educated, advocated, and built bridges across movements so that those who are most harmed by the immigration and criminal systems are uplifted and supported.

Position Overview:

The National Immigration Project seeks a highly motivated attorney for a full-time, temporary position, for our IMPOWER collaboration with AFL-CIO affiliated unions to protect immigrant workers’ rights. The attorney will work closely with the IMPOWER team to conduct screenings for impacted workers, refer workers in need of representation to outside attorneys, take on representation in a limited number of cases, and support rapid response to enforcement actions against union members. Deep expertise in immigration law and the immigration system, particularly preparing for enforcement and representing detained clients, will be important for this role. Additional experience in habeas corpus litigation involving immigrants is highly valued.

The position currently has a duration of one year; however, there is a possibility of extension.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct screenings for union members with temporary statuses such as TPS, DACA, DALE, or other forms of deferred action or parole to identify relief or defenses to deportation for which they may be eligible.
• Conduct in-person screening clinics in strategic locations where participating unions have identified large groups of members who require assistance.
• To the extent possible, provide referrals to other attorneys or, if capacity allows, limited representation of workers in relief applications or removal defense proceedings, including in detained contexts.
• Provide rapid response support if worksite enforcement or other mass enforcement actions impacting participating union members occurs.
• Collaborate with the IMPOWER team on legal strategies for workers referred by AFLCIO affiliated unions.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 4-8 years of experience in immigration representation, including bond representation and other relevant legal advocacy on behalf of detained immigrants.
• Skills: Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Knowledge: Knowledge of the immigration system, including immigration detention and legal issues related to detention.
• Languages: Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable.
• Education: J.D. or equivalent, admission to at least one state bar and one federal court
• Attributes: Community-oriented, proactive, and able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Highly organized and self-driven. Action-oriented and able to participate in rapid response work.

National Immigration Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively recruits women,

Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other People of Color, persons with disabilities, persons of

diverse gender and sexual identities, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated persons.

Excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, and generous vacation and leave time. This is a full-time exempt union position. All National Immigration Project union staff are represented by the National Organization of Legal Services Workers (NOLSW), UAW Local 2320, AFL-CIO. This position is fully remote, though occasional travel is required for in-person meetings.

Proficiency in Spanish is highly desirable.