Removal Defense Attorney

CARECEN SF is a non-profit organization established in 1986. CARECEN SF empowers and responds to the needs, rights, and aspirations of Latino, people who migrate and under-resourced families in the San Francisco Bay Area – building leadership to pursue self-determination and justice. Rooted in its cultural strengths and born out of the Central American justice struggles, CARECEN SF envisions our diverse immigrant community as thriving, where families prosper, build effective community institutions and participate confidently in civic life.

CARECEN SF provides the following programs to the community: Immigration Legal Program, Health Promotions Program, Family Wellness Program, Second Chance Youth Program, and Tattoo Removal Clinic.

Our attorneys and paralegal team are committed to providing high quality, pro-bono and low-cost immigration legal services to low-income people who migrate and their families. Our goal is to empower the immigrant community to counter xenophobic attacks and discrimination through education about local, state, and federal laws designed to protect individuals and families regardless of their immigration status.

• Maintain caseload involving direct representation of individuals before the Executive Office of Immigration Review (detained and non-detained)
• Volunteer at the San Francisco Immigration Court Attorney of the Day program
• Conduct initial client intake/consultations and evaluate eligibility for immigration benefits
• Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files
• Participate in immigration trainings
• Participate in administrative team meetings, agency meetings, collaborative/coalition meetings, AILA liaison meetings, community activities and trainings, as deemed appropriate
• Participate in CARECEN’s immigration advocacy efforts as time permits

• J.D. and a member in good standing of any state bar (*California strongly preferred and open to considering recently barred attorneys)
• Minimum of two to three years of experience working as an immigration attorney
• Strong bi-lingual (English and Spanish) language competency, including the ability to write basic correspondence in Spanish (*bi-cultural preferred)
• Physical requirements: able to sit and work at a desk for up to 7.5 hours, lift up to 20 lbs, sufficient mobility to work in standard office/courtroom settings

• Experience working with low income immigrant communities
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
• Experience handling asylum, SIJS, and U Visa in addition to having a broad knowledge of current immigration laws to effectively issue spot in consultations
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Experience in working with clients in removal proceedings
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively- strong team player
• Ability to manage and prioritize workflow with minimal supervision
• Ability to address ever changing community legal needs within a limited resources context
• Commitment to work with immigrants and to advance immigrant rights movement, particularly among the Latino immigrant community
• Knowledge and understanding of the political and historical context of immigrant communities and civil rights issues in this country. Ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse groups of individuals, including representatives of government, foundations, and grassroots organizations
• Knowledge in basic PC applications (i.e. Word, Immigration Pro., Lawlogix)

Competitive salary based on experience. CARECEN SF offers health, dental and vision insurance, 401(k) + matching, long term disability, and life insurance. CARECEN SF is also committed to promoting a culture of wellness, health and educational/professional advancement and growth. We offer weekly yoga, annual office closures for staff “re-charge” beyond vacation and sick time, and actively promote staff professional and leadership development.

CARECEN SF is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions based on programmatic match, merit, qualifications and competence. CARECEN is committed to compensation equity, to a culturally inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage BIPOC and LGBTQIA identified community members to apply.  Qualified applicants will receive full consideration without regard to age, race, faith, gender, sexual orientation, need for special accommodations/physical abilities, or national origin.

This is an immediate opening. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter, resume, short writing sample and 3 references by email to Laura Sanchez – laura@carecensf.org, or by mail at the following address:

Attention: Laura Sanchez
CARECEN
3101 Mission Street, Suite 101,
San Francisco, CA 94110