Description:

About the Job:
The ACLU invites rising third-year law students and law graduates to apply for a sponsorship opportunity to work with us as a Legal Fellow for two years. The Immigrants' Rights Project (IRP) of the National office in New York, NY or San Francisco, CA seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2027. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

Overview:
We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 18, 2026.

This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).

What You'll Do:
Reporting to the Project Director, IRP seeks a Legal Fellow focused on opposing immigration apprehension tactics that, in violation of the Constitution and federal law, fuel the administration's goal of mass deportations. This project will require creativity and flexibility, in conjunction with the rest of IRP's raids team, to proactively target DHS's regularly shifting tactics. It will include developing and litigating challenges to ICE and CBP mass arrests, with a particular focus on worksite raids; to specific DHS enforcement tactics, such as traffic checkpoints and unconstitutional racial profiling; and to state and local law enforcement's participation in the federal deportation machinery. The project will focus on unlawful and unconstitutional aspects of the deportation pipeline prior to and at the time of apprehension—particularly Fourth and Fifth Amendment violations and actions in excess of statutory authority.

Alternatively, IRP seeks a Legal Fellow to hold federal immigration enforcement officers accountable for their abuse of immigrants' rights through the Federal Tort Claims Act ("FTCA"). For years, courts have been narrowing the tools available to challenge government abuses against immigrants. The Supreme Court has all but abolished Bivens in the immigration context. The result is a growing accountability gap: immigrants suffer serious, documented harm at the hands of federal officers, and the legal system offers them no redress. The FTCA helps fill that gap, allowing immigrants to sue the federal government directly for the tortious conduct of its agents. Drawing on the ACLU's experience litigating FTCA family separation cases under the first Trump administration, the fellow will develop and lead a coordinated FTCA litigation strategy across ACLU affiliates on behalf of immigrants whose rights have been violated by federal agents, and litigate cases of their own.

Your Day to Day:

Litigate immigrants' rights cases, including legal research; fact development; working with clients; drafting pleadings, briefs, and legal memoranda; engaging in discovery and motion practice; and conducting evidentiary hearings and oral arguments
Conduct legal research and analysis and develop theories to support new litigation and advocacy projects
Work with colleagues in the ACLU's Communications and National Political Advocacy Departments to develop public education and other advocacy materials on immigrants' rights
Articulate ACLU views to a variety of audiences, through public speaking, traditional and social media, and other means
Work with and advise ACLU state affiliates and partner organizations on immigrants'
rights issues
Help manage summer legal internship program and supervise student interns
Travel as required for litigation, conferences, and other advocacy opportunities
Engage in special projects and other duties as assigned

Future ACLU'ERS Will

Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflicts

What You'll Bring

J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027
Admission to practice in New York or California; if not currently admitted, agreement to become admitted within one year of hire
Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, criminal justice, and racial justice
Willingness to work closely with Immigrants' Rights Project through the funding application process
Excellent research, writing, and verbal communication skills
Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding
Excellent interpersonal skills and a proven ability to work independently as well as within a team
Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative, manage a variety of tasks and see projects through to completion