CIP

Immigration Staff Attorney – Removal Defense Program

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

About California Immigration Project (CIP): CIP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit legal services organization based in Sacramento,
CA and providing pro bono community outreach and education, public policy advocacy, and legal assistance and
representation for immigration communities in California. CIP’s mission is to empower immigrant communities by
providing free, high-quality legal services, education, and community advocacy across California. Our guiding principle
will always be doing what is best for our clients and the communities we serve.


CIP’s immigration practice provides full-scope direct representation and limited-scope legal assistance to low-income
clients in their affirmative and defensive immigration cases. We represent individuals and families with their affirmative
applications for immigration relief, including: family-based visa petitions, U visas, T visas, VAWA, naturalization, DACA,
and asylum. We also represent clients in their removal proceedings, preparing cases for relief including: asylum,
withholding of removal, and CAT, cancellation of removal, bond, and post-conviction relief. Additionally, we engage in
extensive community education throughout Sacramento and the state to equip underserved communities with
information about their rights and recent developments in immigration law and policy.


Position:

Immigration Staff Attorney – Removal Defense Program (full-time, exempt position) – Fresno, CA


California Immigration Project (CIP) is hiring for an Immigration Staff Attorney based in Fresno, CA to work in its Removal
Defense Program. The position will be focused on providing legal assistance and representation to individuals and
families in Fresno and the Central Valley. This work will include representation of individuals in both detained and
non-detained immigration removal proceedings, as well as limited-scope assistance.

CIP currently has a hybrid in-office / remote work model.

Duties and Responsibilities Include:

● Engage in client-centered, thoughtful, and expert advocacy to clients and pro se individuals.
● Provide consultations, limited-scope, and full-scope services to individuals and families in removal proceedings at
the Sacramento, Concord, or San Francisco Immigration Court.
● Provide consultations, limited-scope, and full-scope removal defense services to individuals detained in ICE
detention centers in California.
● Provide emergency legal assistance and support to individuals detained and processed at the ERO offices in
Stockton and Fresno.
● Independently manage a caseload of full-scope removal defense cases, including more complex cases as
applicable in relation to interest and experience, including but not limited to: state court matters, BIA appeals,
and post-conviction relief.
● Support and participate in local immigrants’ rights networks, including the Southern Central Valley CDSS Regional
Hub Network and the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ).
● Provide training and other technical assistance to local partner organizations, including non-profit agencies,
religious groups, schools, and other community-based organizations.
● Provide pro se assistance and attorney review at periodic immigration workshops and clinics.
● Attend meetings and build relationships with agencies, nonprofits, other advocates and community partners.
● Conduct community outreach and education, including developing and maintaining community and Know Your
Rights (KYR) materials and resources, on topics related to immigration law;
● Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into CIP’s case management and reporting systems.
● Assist with administrative and fundraising work of the organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

  1. Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the empowerment of immigrant communities.
  2. Law degree and active license to practice law.
  3. 0-3 years experience practicing immigration law.
  4. Valid California driver’s license.
  5. Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
  6. Experience working with low-income, non-English speaking clients.
  7. Ability to multitask, prioritize, set, and meet deadlines with timeliness and a high attention to detail.
  8. Ability to maintain accurate records and competently utilize technology platforms and databases.
  9. Ability to organize and prioritize essential information and data points to report on projects.
  10. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  11. Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills.
  12. Ability to work in a team-focused and multicultural work environment.
  13. Ability to work via phone and in-person with a variety of actors, including clients, attorneys, staff, volunteers, partner organizations, and representatives of the government agencies in a professional, amicable and team-oriented manner.
  14. Experience training or presenting on immigration-related matters and/or practical skills is a plus.

Compensation, Benefits, Hours:

Salary Ranges:
Staff Attorney (0-3 years experience) $78,000 – $93,000 DOE

Benefits:
● Employer-paid medical, vision, and dental insurance (with half-paid coverage for dependents)
● Employer-paid life insurance
● Employer-paid loan repayment assistance program for law school graduates
● Flexible spending account benefits including an employer-paid Health Reimbursement Account
● Employer-sponsored 403(b) retirement plan with an employer contribution and matching program
● Generous vacation, sick leave, and holiday package (18 paid holidays including winter holiday closure)

CIP has a 37.5 hour, 5-day work week.