Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney - Removal Defense & Detained Cases

Senior Immigrants’ Rights Attorney - Removal Defense & Detained Cases

CAIR San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a seasoned and mission-driven Senior Immigrants' Rights Attorney - Removal Defense & Detained Cases. This position focuses on serving immigrants in detention and those facing deportation, with a substantial caseload centered on detained removal defense, bond hearings, and related forms of relief. This is a senior-level role designed for someone with extensive experience in removal defense and a commitment to high-quality representation and CAIR-SFBA’s mission of protecting civil rights and empowering immigrant communities.

Location: Based in CAIR's Santa Clara office. Hybrid schedule: three days in-person and two days remote.

Schedule Type: Full-time (Exempt). Occasional evenings and weekends required.

Reporting Relationships: Reports to the Immigrants' Rights Managing Attorney.

Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the United States. Ability to travel throughout the Bay Area is required (vehicle and driver's license necessary).

• Carry a significant caseload with emphasis on detained and non-detained removal defense; 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 to secure release for detained clients
• Conduct routine visits to detention centers, ensuring access to clients and monitoring conditions affecting representation

• Spot and advance impact or strategic litigation opportunities related to removal defense and detention cases; coordinate with colleagues across CAIR affiliates to align with organizational goals
• Support development of creative legal arguments that advance immigrants' rights and address systemic challenges

• 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

• 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

• Ensure timely and accurate case documentation for grant deliverables
• Contribute case narratives and data for grant reporting and fundraising purposes

• 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

All CAIR staff are required to assist in general duties such as answering phones, weekly outreach, and other office tasks.

• J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school
• Licensed to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction;
  California strongly preferred
• Minimum three years of immigration law experience with at least two years focused on removal defense, including detained cases and bond hearings
• Demonstrated success handling detained dockets and related relief
• Strong client counseling, case preparation, and oral advocacy skills before EOIR and USCIS
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to independently manage a complex caseload
• 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…