Detention Attorney

Core responsibilities:

• Litigate habeas petitions on behalf of detained immigrants, particularly ones that raise complex or novel legal theories
• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with key partners including local rapid response groups, legal services organizations, community groups, private attorneys, and relevant bar associations
• Train, mentor, and develop networks of attorneys who are equipped to provide habeas representation to detained immigrants and/or who can serve as local counsel in priority regions
• Develop and maintain written resources and materials to assist attorneys representing detained immigrants in federal court

This role creates positive change by challenging unlawful detention of immigrants through litigation and legal advocacy, while building capacity among attorneys to provide habeas representation and supporting immigrant communities facing heightened enforcement.

Required qualifications:

• 6-13 years of experience in federal litigation, legal advocacy, and movement lawyering with significant experience representing detained immigrants in habeas litigation
• J.D. or equivalent and admission to at least one state bar and one federal court (preference for Virginia or Louisiana federal courts)
• Excellent federal litigation, research, writing, and communication skills
• Strong familiarity with the immigration detention system
• Proficiency in Spanish or other widely spoken languages in immigrant communities is highly desirable

No compensation, perks, or culture highlights mentioned in the job description.

The National Immigration Project is an organization focused on immigration issues and actively recruits from diverse backgrounds including women, Black, Brown, Indigenous, and other People of Color, persons with disabilities, persons of diverse gender and sexual identities, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated persons.