The Southeast Immigrant Freedom Initiative of the SPLC provides legal services to immigrants confined by ICE. Since 2017, SIFI has focused on representing clients in custody proceedings before immigration courts and ICE in Georgia and Louisiana. We have now expanded our legal services to related proceedings including Credible Fear Interview preparation and requests for redetermination before the Asylum Office, administrative motions to reopen or stays of removal, merits and appeals, administrative advocacy, and federal habeas litigation. In collaboration with community partners, SIFI also advances advocacy strategies like pro se support and media work.

Position:

SIFI seeks an experienced immigration attorney to lead its legal and advocacy strategy in Louisiana and Mississippi. The Lead Attorney will supervise a team of two attorneys and two project coordinators and administrative assistant. The team serves clients in multiple detention centers in Louisiana and Mississippi, including Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, LaSalle Detention Center, Winn Correctional Center, and Adams County ICE Processing Center. Due to COVID-19,  offices are currently closed and staff is working remotely.  If this position is filled while offices remain closed, the new employee will work remotely until the offices reopen. Newly hired employees are not being asked to relocate while the offices are closed.

Responsibilities:

• Direct SIFI’s legal and advocacy strategy in Louisiana and Mississippi;
• Manage SIFI’s docket in Louisiana and Mississippi, which consists of advocacy before EOIR, BIA, and ICE,
• related administrative and federal matters; and general advocacy in collaboration with partner organizations
• Maintain own caseload of custody and related proceedings;
• Supervise team of two attorneys and two project coordinators and administrative assistant in case work and other advocacy strategies;
• Manage a team of approximately 3 staff, providing mentoring and coaching to support the work;
• Train, establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign duties, and conduct performance reviews.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and support of the team’s professional development; and
• Cultivate SIFI relationships with partner organizations in Louisiana and Gulf Region.

Qualifications:

• JD;
• Membership in good standing in the bar of any state and/or the District of Columbia;
• At least three years’ experience practicing before immigration courts;
• At least 3 years of experience supervising staff; and
• Valid driver’s license.
• Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights;
• Commitment to the ideals of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion;
• Commitment to fostering an anti-racist work culture and to anti-racist principles and learning; and
• Although speaking a foreign language is not required, candidates that have intermediate proficiency in a foreign language such as Spanish, Creole, French, Arabic, Hindi, Urdu and/or other languages are highly encouraged to apply.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit resume and cover letter here.