Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney, Detention Project

Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to advance justice for Maine’s immigrants through free immigration legal services, community outreach, and advocacy. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 5,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers; and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.

ILAP is committed to having a respectful, collaborative, and equitable work environment, with equal opportunity for all employees. We hire candidates based on qualifications and comply with all federal and state equal employment laws. We encourage applications from individuals with lived immigrant experience, as well as those from other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups. We believe in building an organization that is reflective of the communities that we serve and is diverse in work background, experience, education, race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, or sensory, mental, and physical abilities. We believe that having a diverse and equitable organization strengthens our programming and services and advances our organizational values.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney, Detention Project provides direct representation to Maine residents detained by U.S. immigration officials and residents of other states being detained in Maine. The Attorney’s primary focus will be representing detained clients in custody and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court and, when appropriate, pursuing related litigation in federal court. The Attorney will also contribute to detention-related intake, case assessment, training, and team support, and may provide limited removal defense representation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Represent detained clients in custody and bond proceedings. When appropriate, represent detained clients on habeas corpus petitions in federal court and on appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals.
• Provide backup support and coverage for detention-related intake and case assessment, including reviewing and evaluating requests for assistance concerning detained individuals.
• As needed, travel to regional detention centers to meet with existing clients and/or consult with potential clients seeking legal help.
• Collaborate and share expertise with other ILAP attorneys and legal staff, including by providing mentorship and support to attorneys engaged in detention work.
• In limited circumstances, provide removal defense representation in removal proceedings.
• In collaboration with other ILAP attorneys, train and supervise interns and volunteers.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of communications, screenings, and case-related activity in ILAP’s case management system (LegalServer).
• Help ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of detention-related data used for internal planning, advocacy, grant reporting, and program evaluation.
• Participate in outreach activities and collaborations as needed.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Co-Legal Director or Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• J.D. required and admission to the bar in at least one U.S. jurisdiction. Admission in Maine, Massachusetts, and/or New Hampshire is an asset.
• At least one year of experience with immigration matters is required. Prior experience representing detained immigrants on bond/custody and removal defense is an asset. Experience with BIA appeals, habeas petitions, petitions for review, and other immigration-focused federal court litigation is also an asset.
• Experience working with low-income clients in a nonprofit setting is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills, with a high level of attention to detail and the ability to produce complex legal work product.
• Strong judgment rooted in a combination of integrity, deep respect for our clients, and emotional intelligence.
• Ability to work collaboratively with teammates and a network of stakeholders.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage a high-volume workload with competing and time-sensitive demands.
• Passion for advancing immigrants’ rights and serving detained clients, as well as an ability to work well with individuals from different cultures and with varying levels of English proficiency.
• Fluency in a relevant language, including Spanish, French, or Portuguese, is preferred.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive, with access to a reliable vehicle for occasional travel to detention centers, ICE offices, and other off-site locations.
• Personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency with Office 365.

COMPENSATION

For 2026, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $74,263 - $89,116. Placement on our salary scale is based on multiple factors including job classification and years of relevant experience. Employees may also receive additional compensation based on language proficiency in one or more relevant client languages, supervision responsibilities, and membership on ILAP's Equity Committee.

ILAP offers a generous benefits package. Current benefits include:

• • Fully paid individual health and dental insurance coverage and significant coverage for dependents’ health insurance;
  • Vacation (20 days), Holidays (13.5), Sick Days (12), and Personal Days (4);
  • Reduced Hours Fridays;
  • Paid parental leave and a paid family and medical leave policy;
  • Paid sabbatical after each 5 years of employment;
  • Employer Retirement Contributions;
  • Health Savings Plan;
  • Law School Repayment Assistance;
  • Employer-paid premium for long term disability and life insurance;
  • Individual and staff-wide professional development opportunities; and
  • Alternative Work Arrangement (eligible after 90-day onboarding)

A modest stipend is available to assist candidates relocating to Maine.

Fluency in a relevant language, including Spanish, French, or Portuguese, is preferred.