Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney

Job Title: Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney

Full-time (40 hrs./wk.), exempt position.

Job Location: Santa Barbara or Santa Maria, California (Hybrid Position)

Starting Salary: $90,000

ABOUT ILDC:

The Immigrant Legal Defense Center’s (ILDC) mission is to provide equal access to justice and due process to indigent immigrants residing in the Tri-County area by providing no-cost legal representation in removal proceedings and before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and by informing immigrants of their fundamental civil rights.

Additionally, the ILDC has integrated a Case Management and Counseling program into our removal defense program to advocate for our clients’ best interests inside and outside the immigration courtroom. We will provide wraparound clinical counseling and case management to address healthcare, mental health, economic hardship, food insecurity, housing, and educational needs, empowering our clients to pursue their educational and life goals.

We are a California public benefit nonprofit corporation with 501(c)(3) status.

To find out more about the ILDC and our services, please visit our website at: sbimmigrantdefense.org

OVERVIEW:

We are seeking a passionate and dedicated Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney to deliver high-impact legal services to unaccompanied immigrant children and undocumented youth. This is a mission-driven role focused on zealous, compassionate, and strategic direct representation for some of the most vulnerable members of our communities.

ILDC is committed to fostering a supportive work environment that values work-life balance and offers flexible remote work options. However, in-person client meetings must be conducted at one of our ILDC offices to ensure the highest quality of service and client care.

This position will be based at our Santa Barbara or Santa Maria office and reports directly to ILDC’s executive director.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide high-quality, client-centered representation for unaccompanied minors facing removal proceedings and undocumented youth eligible for affirmative immigration relief;

• Determine eligibility for legal relief and develop legal strategy case plans;
• Some travel to ICE detention centers and other custodial settings to interview and prepare clients, take declarations, complete immigration benefit applications, and provide legal advice;
• Represent individuals in court at initial or prolonged custody redetermination hearings, master calendar hearings, individual merits hearings, and in ancillary state court proceedings;
• Represent clients before USCIS at asylum interviews, credible fear interviews, ICE check-ins, and other immigration related appointments;
• Prepare and submit country conditions, declarations, and other supporting evidence for applications to defend clients against removal;
• Work with country conditions experts, expert witnesses, psychologists, and medical professionals to develop supporting evidence for immigration relief applications;
• Ensure entry of timely, accurate, and detailed case data into ILDC’s case management systems;
• Support ILDCs overall mission by working closely with colleagues and ILDCs leadership on various initiatives through community engagement, peer mentoring and event participation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• D. and active bar admission (California state bar required).
• Driver’s License

• Advanced fluency in Spanish language required.
• At least one year of experience working with children, preferably immigrant and refugee children, and/or working with vulnerable populations, survivors of abuse, human trafficking, or other trauma.
• Possess some family law knowledge is a plus but not required.
• Experience working with law firm attorneys and/or other legal volunteers.
• Strong record of cultural competence and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing.
• Experience in immigration law (nonprofit or private practice) is a plus, but not required, as we are ready and able to provide training.
• Capacity to work both collaboratively and independently.

• Ability to be flexible and adapt to frequently changing circumstances, policies, and conditions affecting this dynamic
• Passion for social justice for immigrants is required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to work within an office environment, have regular interactions via telephone, video, and email with partners and
• Ability to travel long distances for hearings at the Los Angeles Immigration Courts and state court hearings in Santa Barbara County, Ventura County, and San Luis Obispo County.

WHAT WE OFFER:

A career at ILDC offers the opportunity to work with a team of professionals driven by our passion for defending immigrants’ rights to due process and empowering our clients to achieve their life goals. Our benefits include:

• $1,500 salary enhancement for additional qualifying languages beyond English and Spanish
• Generous PTO, plus 10 holidays and a two-week winter break
• Medical, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, dental benefits, and retirement benefits
• Monthly Wellness Stipend
• Student Loan Repayment Assistance Stipend
• Generous Parental & Family Leave

The Immigrant Legal Defense Center (ILDC) is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

TO APPLY:

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Submit: 1) cover letter, 2) resume, and 3) a list of three professional references. Include “Bilingual Immigration Staff Attorney” in the subject line. Please email application materials directly to julissa@sbimmigrantdefense.org