Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program (One Year Leave Coverage)

Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program (One Year Leave Coverage)

Location: Applicants from AZ, FL, IL, MA, NM, PA, TX, NY, the NYC Metro Area, or the DC Metro Area.

Immigration Equality and Immigration Equality Action Fund seek a dynamic, passionate person to join our team as Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program, for approximately one year to cover a staff leave, with approximate coverage beginning in April 2026 through March 2027. This position can be based in AZ, FL, IL, MA, NM, PA, TX, NY, the NYC Metro Area, or the DC Metro Area.

Founded in 1994, Immigration Equality has a dual focus of direct representation and impact work. We take calls every day from clients who need help right now and we work to change the systems that have a lasting impact on how LGBTQ and HIV-positive people are treated. We work with asylum seekers, detained immigrants, and refugees, answering thousands of hotline calls each year and representing more than 600 individuals at any one time. We also engage in political advocacy and impact litigation to protect the interests of our community. In over 60 countries, it is still a crime to be LGBTQ; In many more, it is fundamentally unsafe. As such, we dedicate ourselves to empowering and protecting one of the most vibrant, resilient, and diverse communities in the world.

Immigration Equality is a mission-driven organization full of smart, dedicated people. If you want to work at the cutting edge of the most potent issues of our time, and do it with terrific colleagues in a fast-paced, nimble organization that seeks results, this is the place for you.

Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program Responsibilities (One Year Leave Coverage)

Immigration Equality seeks an organized, experienced, compassionate, and highly skilled and individual to lead our Refugee Assistance Program while our current staff member is out on leave. This is a full-time, one-year position. The Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program will identify LGBTQ refugees in urgent need of resettlement who lack access to traditional pathways to safety. The Senior Staff Attorney, Refugee Program will work under the supervision of the Director of Law and Policy and will be responsible for advocating for refugees in matters of resettlement and related policy.

This includes:

• identifying individuals eligible for Immigration Equality’s services
• vetting and assessing initial requests for assistance
• screening cases to identify those in greatest need of resettlement
• drafting application documents to support a refugee claim
• identifying and supporting LGBTQ refugee policy issues
• liaising with NGOs, governments and with UNHCR/IOM on specific cases and more generally to create queer friendly, culturally competent systems
• analyzing and critiquing current migration policies and practices, and drafting/advocating for more progressive ones
• liaising with international refugee organizations as well as local LGBTQ organizations to support LGBTQ refugees and develop referral networks
• supervise other staff, in positions that may include a legal fellow, paralegal, pro bono attorneys, and others
• other responsibilities, as assigned

Qualifications

Candidates (1) should have a Master’s Degree in a related field (international law, international human rights, Refugees and Forced Migration, etc.), OR (2) should be a licensed attorney from an accredited law school in any jurisdiction in the United States, OR (3) have a minimum of four years of experience representing refugees in the resettlement or Refugee Status Determination process.

Additional qualifications include:

• Knowledge of UNHCR guidelines and procedures, especially resettlement criteria
• Demonstrated commitment to LGBTQ issues
• At least two years of experience providing direct representation to asylum seekers or refugees or conducting Refugee Status Determinations
• Excellent writing, analytical, and organizational skills
• Trauma-informed and sensitive listening and communication skills
• Some travel and occasional after-hours work may be required
• Fluency in a second language desirable but not required (especially French, Arabic, Somali, or Afghan languages)

Environment

Immigration Equality is an equal opportunity employer: immigrants, transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, and people of color are strongly encouraged to apply. Immigration Equality is a progressive organization and staff are expected to collaborate within a diverse and inclusive environment.

This position may be remote, based in the following US States; or in-person in our office in Brooklyn, NY, or hybrid. A laptop and printer and a one-time small home office stipend will be provided to support working remotely.

Salary and Benefits

Salary range $70,000-85,000/year, depending on credentials and experience. We're committed to fair pay, evaluating using local, national, and industry-specific data. This range is for the NYC area and will be adjusted for other localities.

Immigration Equality offers outstanding benefits, including:

• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental insurance. For some health plans, which cover the employee and their children, Immigration Equality pays 100% of premiums
• Many health plans to choose from so you can find the best fit for you and your family
• 3% 401(k) employer contribution (whether you contribute or not)
• Employer paid $10K life insurance plan
• Employer paid short and long-term disability insurance
• Monthly cell phone allowance
• Home office stipend
• Working with trauma survivors can be emotionally difficult. Experience in or receptiveness to working with trauma survivors is a must. In recognition of the challenging frontline work we do to help clients, Immigration Equality offers flex-time schedule options and very generous PTO of nearly 12 weeks off including:
  • six weeks of PTO
  • 12 scheduled holidays
  • one week of scheduled time-off at mid-year (around July 4)
  • one week of scheduled time-off at year-end (around Dec 25)
  • Summer Fridays: end workday early on Fridays between Memorial Day and Labor Day

Fluency in a second language desirable but not required (especially French, Arabic, Somali, or Afghan languages)