12-Month Deportation Defense Attorney

Job Title: Deportation Defense Attorney  

Reports to: Managing Attorney, Deportation Defense Team 
FLSA Status: Non-exempt 
Location: Albuquerque preferred, Las Cruces and Santa Fe will be considered  

About the Organization 

The New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) works to advance justice, dignity, and equity for immigrants in New Mexico through high-quality legal services, advocacy, and community partnerships. NMILC envisions a state where immigrants can live and thrive free from fear, with access to their rights and opportunities to shape their futures. 

Position Overview 

NMILC’s Deportation Defense Team offers free immigration legal services to asylum seekers in removal proceedings and to individuals detained at the immigration detention centers in New Mexico. The Program provides direct representation, rapid response for community arrests, individual intakes, pro bono referrals, and actively engages in advocacy to advance justice for asylum seekers, detained individuals, and end immigration detention. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Develop pro se materials and systems to support New Mexicans in removal proceedings in the El Paso Immigration Court; 

• Provide pro se and occasional direct representation to New Mexicans in removal proceedings in the El Paso Immigration Court; 

• Participate in legal consultations and presentations for individuals in ICE custody in New Mexico (willingness to travel to the Torrance County Detention Facility and the Cibola County Correctional Center ); 

• Provide pro se and occasional direct representation to detained non-citizens in removal proceedings and bond hearings in front of EOIR, appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and habeas corpus proceedings in the Western District of Texas and the District of New Mexico; 

• Supervise and/or mentor some NMILC attorneys taking on non-detained removal cases, particularly for representation on the merits; and 

• Strengthen referral networks by coordinating case referrals with other organizations (e.g., Immigrant Justice Campaign, ACLU-NM). 

Qualifications 

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school 

• Active membership in any state bar.  

• Minimum of two years of immigration law experience, with high volume practice ideally including crime victim visas, asylum, SIJS, removal defense, and appeals 

• One year of supervisory experience preferred. 

• Bilingual fluency (English/Spanish), both written and verbal 

• A demonstrated commitment to public interest work, immigrant rights, social justice issues, and desire to assist crime victims. 

• Commitment to NMILC’s internal organizational values 

• The ability to provide trauma-informed and culturally-competent legal assistance to crime victims/survivors 

• Strong organizational skills 

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written 

• Strong skills in legal research, analysis, and writing 

• Ability to interact professionally and negotiate effectively with opposing counsel 

• The ability to work collaboratively with different program staff and partner organizations to further develop community relationships and facilitate holistic and wraparound services 

Salary and Benefits 

This is a part-time exempt position. Salary is competitive for our field and geographic area and is commensurate with experience. Starting annual salary for the Deportation Defense Attorney position is $42,120.  NMILC currently offers a generous benefits package, including:

• 100% of Individual Employee Health, Dental and Vision Premium paid by NMILC for the Base Plan and 50% for dependents. Buy-up health plan also available.
  

• Access to Traditional and Roth 401(K) options and discretionary employer match up to 10% of base salary upon meeting eligibility requirements (determined each fiscal year based on funding projections).
  

• Pre-tax flexible spending account (FSA) for both medical and dependent care.
  

• Employer-paid life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
  

• Employer-paid short and long-term disability insurance.
  

Benefits may be subject to change at any time based on the organization’s budget.

NMILC also recognizes the value of creating an environment of positive work/life balance, acknowledging that investing in staff’s ability to take care of themselves and their families enables them to do their best work. Our paid holiday schedule is exceptional and contributes to each of us enjoying a good work/life balance. The plan currently includes:

• Company-paid federal holidays in addition to 2 weeks of winter break, 1 week for spring break, and 1 week for summer break, and other days as established in coordination with the local public-school schedule.
  

• Three week paid vacation annually;
  

• 1 earned sick leave hour for every 30 hours worked;