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:
Rapid Response Attorney – Removal Defense Program (full-time, exempt position)
California Immigration Project (CIP) is hiring for a Rapid Response Attorney based in Sacramento, CA to work in its
Removal Defense Program. The position will be focused on providing emergency legal assistance to individuals arrested
by ICE in the Sacramento region. The Rapid Response Attorney will serve to triage the case by responding immediately to
ICE processing centers, conducting intakes, and in certain circumstances, engage in pro se or limited scope
representation to prevent immediate deportation or detention. The Rapid Response Attorney will lead the legal
component of the Sacramento Rapid Response Network, working closely with partners to coordinate legal responses to
ICE arrests in the local area, communicate with partners and families during a response, and develop follow-up systems
and support to arrested individuals and affected families. The Rapid Response Attorney will also work with other rapid
response networks in the state to provide support, track ICE trends, tactics, and abuses, and collaborate on regional and
statewide responses to ICE enforcement
CIP currently has a hybrid work model that permits remote work; however, this position will require frequent in-person
work at the Sacramento processing center.
Duties and Responsibilities Include:
● Provide emergency legal consultations and assistance to individuals processed at the Sacramento ICE processing
center;
● Engage in pro se or limited scope representation in order to prevent an immediate deportation or detention after
an arrest;
● Undertake follow-up on a given rapid response case, including but not limited to, consultations and updates to
families, case referral and detention follow up, and flagging specific issues related to abuse, compliance or
advocacy needs;
● Assist with the referral of rapid response cases to regional agencies, including coordination of case referrals to
the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ) for full scope representation;
● Assist in the development of and participate in information-sharing protocols between legal service providers
and rapid response networks, in order to avoid duplication and ensure representation;
● Collaborate with other members of the Sacramento Rapid Response Network to ensure efficient and effective ● Work with local networks and partners to develop and implement, as needed, mass enforcement response
protocols, including recruiting, training, and maintaining volunteer attorneys;
● Handle a small case load of limited scope or fullscope detained cases as capacity allows;
● Participate in detention visits for client follow up, as needed;
● Participate in the development of data and information sharing strategies related to rapid response, removal
defense, and advocacy work;
● Participate in meetings with partners, agencies, and stakeholders to provide updates on enforcement trends,
rapid response developments, and regional needs;
● Conduct community outreach and education, including developing and maintaining community and Know Your
Rights (KYR) materials and resources, on topics related to immigration law and rapid response;
● Support and participate in local immigrants’ rights networks, including the Sacramento Family Unity, Education,
and Legal (FUEL) Network for Immigrants, the Sacramento Regional Hub Network, and the California
Collaborative for Immigrant Justice (CCIJ);
● Provide pro se assistance and attorney review at periodic immigration workshops and clinics;
● Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into CIP’s case management and reporting systems.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and the empowerment of immigrant communities.
- Law degree and active license to practice law.
- 0-3 years experience practicing immigration law.
- Valid California driver’s license.
- Fluency in Spanish is preferred.
- Experience working with low-income, non-English speaking clients.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, set, and meet deadlines with timeliness and a high attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain accurate records and competently utilize technology platforms and databases.
- Ability to organize and prioritize essential information and data points to report on projects.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Excellent research, writing, and organizational skills.
- Ability to work in a team-focused and multicultural work environment.
- 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.
- 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
Senior Staff Attorney (3+ years experience) $85,000 – $110,000 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.
If interested, please email cover letter, resume, and a list of 3 professional references to jobs@calimm.org. Please
address the cover letter to “Hiring Committee” and write “Rapid Response Attorney – Removal Defense Program” in the
subject line. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.
California Immigration Project is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity,
national origin, citizenship status, color, religion, gender identity and/or expression, physical or mental disability,
nationality, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.