ILDC Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney
The Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC) is dedicated to providing equal access to justice for indigent immigrants in the Tri-County area. They are seeking a Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney to deliver high-impact legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children and undocumented youth, focusing on compassionate and strategic representation in immigration proceedings.
Responsibilities
- Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for unaccompanied minors facing removal proceedings and undocumented youth eligible for affirmative immigration relief
- Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans
- Some travel to ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, take declarations, complete immigration benefit applications, and provide legal advice
- Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings, and in ancillary state court proceedings
- Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins, and other immigration related appointments
- Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations, and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal
- Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications
- Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into ILDC's case management systems
- Support ILDCs overall mission by working closely with colleagues and ILDCs leadership on various initiatives through community engagement, peer mentoring and event participation
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 children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working 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 family law knowledge 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