Legal Assistant, Detention Project (Two-Year Fellowship)

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 Legal Assistant, Detention Project supports ILAP’s work to expand access to legal services for individuals impacted by immigration detention. The Legal Assistant’s primary responsibilities involve reviewing and screening requests for legal assistance concerning Maine residents detained by U.S. immigration authorities, as well as individuals from other states detained in Maine.

This position plays a central role in ILAP’s growing detention response work by helping connect detained individuals with legal services, supporting detained clients and legal staff, and helping ILAP monitor and respond to immigration enforcement trends affecting Maine communities. The position is a two-year, fixed-term fellowship. Because the work is responsive to evolving immigration enforcement practices and community needs, responsibilities may change over time.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Review and triage incoming requests for legal assistance for detained individuals.
• Conduct screening calls with family members and other close contacts of detained individuals to gather relevant information.
• Gather, organize, and maintain supporting documents and records related to screenings.
• Coordinate with Detention Project staff to ensure timely attorney review of completed screenings and elevate urgent matters as appropriate.
• Communicate with family members and close contacts regarding case status and decisions concerning representation.
• Update and maintain the Detention Project’s internal tracking systems used to support legal triage, monitor immigration enforcement trends, and track program outcomes.
• 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.
• Assist with bond-related advocacy and logistics, including submitting payment requests to bond funds.
• Coordinate transportation and release-related logistics for clients released from detention.
• As needed, provide paralegal and administrative support to ILAP attorneys representing detained clients.
• Provide administrative support to ensure the smooth functioning of the Detention Project.
• Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities deemed appropriate by the Co-Legal Director or Executive Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

• B.A./B.S. or equivalent required.
• Prior paralegal or similar experience preferred; prior experience with or knowledge of U.S. immigration law is an asset.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate clearly and compassionately with individuals in distress; prior experience working with individuals experiencing crisis or trauma is an asset
• Strong judgment rooted in a combination of integrity, emotional intelligence, and deep respect for clients and community members.
• Ability to manage a high-volume workload with competing priorities and time-sensitive demands.
• Ability to remain organized, calm, and effective under pressure.
• Ability to work collaboratively and contribute positively to a team-based environment.
• Passion for advancing immigrants’ rights, 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 strongly preferred.
• Personal and professional commitment to racial justice and equity.
• Strong computer skills; proficiency with Office 365 preferred.

COMPENSATION

For 2026, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $53,045 to $57,289. 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 every 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).

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