CAIR-SFBA provides legal immigration services to refugees, asylum seekers, and the diverse immigrant community in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Immigrants' Rights Attorney will report to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney and is primarily responsible for maintaining a full caseload, by providing immigration legal consultations and direct legal representation to clients before USCIS, EOIR, and other federal agencies.
This is an entry- or mid-level role for a motivated attorney with significant exposure to immigrant communities and the legal concerns of these communities. It offers an opportunity to gain experience with a wide range of immigration matters in a collaborative and mentoring environment. The Immigrants' Rights Attorney supports the Immigrants' Rights Center team by handling full-scope consultation and representation of various immigration cases, participating in community engagements, outreach and assisting with deliverable requirements for grants as needed.
This position offers an opportunity to do high impact case work in a collaborative, values-driven environment that prioritizes shared knowledge and experience, mentorship and collective problem-solving. You will be working for some of the most vulnerable people on one of the defining issues for our time.
Title: Immigrants' Rights Attorney
Location: Based in CAIR's Santa Clara office. CAIR staff are currently working a hybrid schedule, with a minimum of three days per week in-person at the office.
Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required
Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney
Caseload & Support Structure: This role is supported by the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney, legal support staff, and CAIR-CA's statewide immigration team. Caseloads are actively monitored to ensure sustainability, with internal review of filings, access to consultation on complex cases, and shared strategy on detained matters. CAIR-SFBA is committed to a collaborative approach and holistic engagement in detained defense work.
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (access to a vehicle and a valid driver's license required).
Duties & Responsibilities:Direct Legal Services- Carry a substantial but sustainable caseload, with a mix of affirmative and defensive (detained and non-detained) cases, and provide high quality, client-centered representation to individuals facing removal proceedings
- Represent clients before EOIR, BIA, USCIS, ICE, and CBP in asylum, withholding, CAT, cancellation, bond, and other immigration matters
- Conduct detailed client intakes, legal screenings, and case assessments
- Provide individualized client counseling on immigration options and risks
- Prepare and file applications, motions, and appeals for detained and non-detained cases
- Prepare and litigate bond motions and habeas petitions to secure release for detained clients
Impact & Strategic Litigation- Potential opportunities to contribute to impact or strategic litigation, in coordination with CAIR-SFBA and CAIR-CA colleagues, depending on capacity and relevance
- Support the development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges
Community Engagement- Participate in Know Your Rights presentations, pro se support, and immigration legal clinics, with emphasis on detention-related issues
- Collaborate with local coalitions, visitation programs, and immigrant justice networks to expand support for detained immigrants
Legal Research & Writing- Conduct case-specific research on statutes, regulations, and case law
- Draft motions, appeals, briefs, and other filings with strong attention to detail and client-centered advocacy
- Provide technical expertise to colleagues on detained removal defense when requested
Grant Compliance & Support- Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
- Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes
General Organizational Support- Provide limited supervision and mentorship to legal staff, such as other attorneys, caseworkers, law clerks, or interns, as assigned
- Partner with Communications staff to highlight the impact of detained removal defense
- Support organizational events and fundraising initiatives as needed
As with all CAIR staff, this role routinely supports general office needs and organizational priorities.
Required Qualifications:- J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
- Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction
- Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
- Strong time management skills with a demonstrated ability for meeting deadlines.
- Demonstrated problem-solving skills with outstanding attention to detail
- Ability to be productive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
- Demonstrated commitment to defending low-income immigrants and other vulnerable populations
- Flexibility to travel to detention centers, courts, and community sites, including occasional early mornings or evenings
- Access to a reliable vehicle and ability to travel to detention centers and courts across the San Francisco Bay Area
- Deep commitment to CAIR's mission of defending civil rights and empowering immigrant communities
Preferred Qualifications:- At least two years work related to immigration, specifically in areas of asylum, family-based petitions, removal defense, and naturalization; may substitute law school clinical and summer internship experience, immigration paralegal or other immigration non-profit experience for experience as an attorney
- At least one year of experience with various humanitarian-based or family-based immigration applications
- Some courtroom experience and/or experience filing motions
- Conversational proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, Dari, Pashto, or Urdu would be valuable
Compensation:- Compensation in the range of $92,888-110,000 annually, commensurate with experience
- Fully paid Kaiser Health Insurance and Blue Cross PPO Dental Plan for employee and dependent
- 401(k) plan with an employer match
- 12 paid holidays, 10 sick days, and 12 vacation days
To Apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter discussing your interest and relevant experience, especially with detained removal defense; (2) your resume; (3) a short legal writing sample; and (4) the names and contact information of three references.
