Immigrant Justice Habeas Litigation Attorney (1-Year Fellowship)

Core responsibilities:

• Conduct intakes with Sikh immigrant detainees facing unlawful arrest, confinement, or deportation
• Draft, research, and litigate federal habeas petitions, TROs, and appeals
• Document violations related to language access, religious accommodations, and dangerous detention conditions
• Coordinate with pro bono partners to expand rapid response capacity
• Support community education efforts, including preparing and presenting Know Your Rights workshops and Punjabi/English resource materials
• Engage with gurdwaras (Sikh houses of worship), community partners, and families of detainees
• Help develop long-term strategy for habeas litigation practice

This role challenges the unlawful arrests and wrongful deportations of Sikh immigrants, addresses dangerous and discriminatory detention conditions, and safeguards the rights of Sikh immigrants who face high risks of detention and deportation due to current policies.

Required qualifications:

• J.D. and bar admission in U.S. state with preference for CA, NY, WA, FL, or TX
• Minimum 2 to 4 years experience as post-graduate fulltime lawyer or judicial clerkship is preferred
• Strong legal research and writing skills; experience or demonstrated interest in federal litigation, habeas work, or immigration law
• Must be self-motivated, energetic, capable of working in a dynamic, fast paced environment, and able to adjust to shifting priorities
• Commitment to immigrant rights, civil rights, and culturally competent advocacy
• Punjabi language skills preferred but not required and a willingness to understand and become familiar with the needs of the Sikh community
• Ability to travel for detention visits, hearings, and community outreach

Salary range: $75,000 - $90,000. Comprehensive benefits include health insurance, PTO, and professional development support.

The Sikh Coalition is the nation's largest Sikh civil rights organization, dedicated to safeguarding the rights of all individuals while advancing justice for the Sikh community through legal advocacy and community education.