Immigration Legal Advocate / DOJ Accredited Representative

Job Title: Immigration Legal Advocate / DOJ Accredited Representative 

Position: Full-Time, 40 hours per week 

Location: Hybrid  

Salary: $75,000  

Organizational Summary

BAJI fights for the rights of Black migrants and African Americans through organizing, legal advocacy, research, policy, and narrative building to improve the conditions of Black communities by advancing racial justice and migrant rights. BAJI’s mission is to build collective power among Black communities to advocate for equity and justice in our laws, policies, and communities. 

The legal team is a central component in BAJI’s fight for the rights of Black migrants. BAJI’s legal team works to combat the criminalization and deportation of Black immigrant communities through a powerful three-pronged approach, which includes direct legal representation, impact litigation, and legal training in communities facing removal. BAJI’s approach to practicing, changing, and teaching the law has provided critical assistance to Black immigrants and achieved long-lasting impacts on immigration systems.   

Position Description

We seek an eager legal advocate to join our young and vibrant immigration practice, who may become a DOJ Accredited Representative. The representative will provide affirmative immigration services and pursue community-based systemic reform litigation and advocacy aimed at reforming harsh and violent federal immigration laws.  

Duties and Responsibilities

The Immigration Legal Advocate/DOJ Accredited Representative, under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney, will provide legal support to non-citizens in applications for immigration relief including asylum, withholding, CAT, adjustment of status, citizenship, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), and remedies for victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and other crimes; represent noncitizens facing deportation in removal proceedings, both detained and non-detained, in proceedings including bond hearings, mental competency hearings, Motions to Terminate, challenging the basis of removability, applications for relief including discretionary relief from criminal convictions, relief based on hardship to family members, and persecution-based relief.  

The Immigration Legal Advocate/DOJ Accredited Representative will assist the Legal Director with impact litigation to change the immigration system on a national scale. This includes supporting the Legal Director with the planning, preparing, and filing or defending lawsuits aimed at changing laws or on the rights and conditions of Black immigrants.    

The Immigration Legal Advocate/DOJ Accredited Representative will also assist with legal clinics at BAJI, which provide legal support to Black migrants in the United States and abroad as needed. Clinics will provide legal education and legal services to Black migrants and transnational families in the areas of U.S. immigration and asylum law, family reunification, access to identity documents, and other issue areas as requested by community members.   

Skills and Qualifications

We seek applicants with a demonstrated commitment to public service, racial justice, abolition, immigration defense, and working with clients from vulnerable communities, including women and LGBTQ migrants. Applicants must be highly motivated, creative, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of advocates. The position requires strong oral and written advocacy skills, excellence in legal research and writing, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to work and problem-solve under pressure.   

Applicants must have graduated with a bachelor's degree or equivalent education/training. Recent JD/LLM graduates are encouraged to apply. Prior paralegal experience or related experience preferred. Multilingual not required, but a plus.   

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $75,000 , commensurate with experience.  

BAJI offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance. We also prioritize your future with access to a retirement plan and a Health Savings Account. 

BAJI prioritizes applicants whose demonstrated values align with BAJI’s organizational values of Black liberation and abolition. We strongly encourage Black people, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and people who have been directly impacted by the immigration system to apply.  

BAJI is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, military status, marital status, familial status, caregiver status, predisposing genetic characteristics, veteran or active military service member status, pregnancy, arrest or conviction record, unemployment status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.   

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to: jobs@baji.org and cc legal@baji.org