Staff Attorney - Immigration Law Unit, Detained Removal Defense NY

The Legal Aid Society's Civil Practice is seeking staff attorneys for our city-wide Immigration Law Unit (ILU) to assist with detained removal defense.

As part of an initiative called the New York Immigrant Family Unity Project (NYIFUP), ILU represents detained clients in removal and bond proceedings before the Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, related proceedings before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and, when appropriate, in Family Court proceedings. NYIFUP is the nation’s first universal representation program for immigrants detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is a collaboration between Legal Aid, Brooklyn Defender Services, and The Bronx Defenders.

ILU also represents NYIFUP clients who are released from custody and continue to meet income eligibility requirements.

ILU is a recognized leader in providing high‑quality representation to non‑citizens in all five boroughs of New York City and surrounding counties. Our staff of almost 100 attorneys, social workers, and paralegals across six projects works collaboratively to provide client‑centered, interdisciplinary, and comprehensive legal services.

• Represent detained noncitizens in removal proceedings in immigration courts, before the Board of Immigration Appeals and in Family Court proceedings.
• Represent non‑detained clients released on bond.
• Engage in affirmative litigation on behalf of non‑citizen New Yorkers.
• Provide individualized consultations to detained noncitizens at detention centers in upstate New York, New Jersey, and other locations as necessary. Travel may be required in the early morning, evenings, and weekends.
• Some weekend and night work may be necessary.
• Develop skills and knowledge from ILU staff on litigation matters through training.
• Work with pro‑bono counsel on assigned pro‑bono cases.
• Work collaboratively with other organizations and partners.
• Represent and promote the work of the office, the Civil Practice, and The Legal Aid Society in the community.
• Maintain, organize, and update case files and case management database (Law Manager).
• Maintain a full caseload of clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required qualifications:

• Admission to the New York State Bar, pending admission to the New York State Bar, or admission to any other state bar with immediate ability to waive into the New York State Bar.
• Demonstrated commitment to representing or working with individuals from marginalized communities.
• Excellent writing, analytical, oral advocacy, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively on an interdisciplinary team and manage a high volume of cases.
• Ability to work with pro‑bono attorneys, law student interns, and volunteers.
• Relevant clinical program, internship, or work experience preferred.
• Applicants must be creative, flexible, and highly motivated.

Preferred qualifications:

• Proficiency in languages other than English is preferred.
• Immigration Law experience, including law school clinics and/or internships, or at least two years representing indigent clients generally.

The salary range represents a good faith estimate of the range we expect to pay for this role. The actual salary offered may vary depending on many factors, including but not limited to job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience, as well as collectively bargained salary steps for unionized roles.

Salary Range: $84,000 - $152,500

The Legal Aid Society offers a generous benefits package including health insurance, paid vacation, disability, life insurance, and more.

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit. We are currently unable to sponsor employment visas or permits. (However, for citizens of Canada and Mexico, LAS will provide a letter documenting employment status that is needed to obtain a TN visa.)

All applications must be completed online via the career portal. We do not accept emailed applications. Submit the following documents as a combined PDF:

• Cover Letter
• Resume