Description:

Position Overview:
Open Arms Community Center, a nonprofit organization providing immigration legal services to immigrant and underserved communities, is seeking an experienced Immigration Attorney to join its Immigration Department.

The attorney will provide direct legal representation and advocacy in immigration matters, with a primary focus on removal defense, detained cases, and proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).

This position requires an attorney with strong litigation skills, sound legal judgment, excellent legal writing abilities, and the ability to independently analyze complex immigration cases and develop effective legal strategies.

The attorney will work closely with the Immigration Director, DOJ-accredited representatives, and paralegal staff to prepare and litigate cases, represent clients in immigration court, and ensure that all legal filings and proceedings are handled with accuracy, professionalism, and appropriate legal strategy.

Key Responsibilities:
Immigration Court Representation & Litigation

Represent clients in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court (EOIR).
Handle detained and non-detained cases, including bond hearings, master calendar hearings, and individual/merits hearings.
Prepare and present oral arguments, examine witnesses, introduce evidence, and advocate on behalf of clients before Immigration Judges.
Develop litigation strategies and identify appropriate forms of relief from removal.
Prepare clients for hearings, testimony, cross-examination, and court proceedings.
Evaluate cases involving asylum, withholding of removal, Convention Against Torture (CAT), cancellation of removal, Cuban Adjustment Act (CAA), and other applicable forms of immigration relief.

Detained Immigration Cases

Handle urgent legal matters involving individuals detained by ICE.
Evaluate detention circumstances, custody determinations, bond eligibility, and available legal remedies.
Prepare and litigate bond motions and custody-related matters.
Assess potential habeas corpus claims and coordinate with appropriate counsel when federal court litigation is necessary.
Develop legal strategies for detained individuals, including asylum claims and applications for other forms of relief.

Legal Research & Motion Practice

Conduct comprehensive legal research involving immigration statutes, regulations, BIA decisions, federal circuit court decisions, and relevant federal court precedent.
Draft and review motions to continue, motions to terminate, motions to suppress, motions to reopen, motions to reconsider, appellate briefs, legal memoranda, and other litigation documents.
Analyze developing immigration law and its impact on pending cases.
Prepare legal arguments supported by applicable statutes, regulations, case law, and evidentiary records.
Utilize Westlaw, LexisNexis, and other legal research resources.

Asylum & Complex Immigration Matters

Review, prepare, and develop asylum applications and supporting legal arguments.
Evaluate credibility issues, inconsistencies, corroborating evidence, country conditions, and eligibility requirements.
Review and update asylum applications in accordance with applicable legal standards and developments in immigration law.
Develop individualized case strategies rather than relying solely on standard templates.
Review FOIA records, immigration history, detention records, and DHS documentation to identify relevant legal arguments and potential forms of relief.

Case Management & Team Collaboration

Work collaboratively with DOJ-accredited representatives and paralegals on case preparation and litigation strategy.
Review and finalize legal documents prepared by paralegal staff.
Provide legal guidance and direction to the immigration team on complex cases.
Monitor court deadlines, filing requirements, and case progression.
Ensure that all filings are accurate, complete, and submitted in a timely manner.
Maintain organized case files and detailed documentation of legal strategy, client communications, and case developments.

Required Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Demonstrated experience practicing immigration law.
Experience representing respondents in removal proceedings before EOIR.
Experience handling individual/merits hearings and developing litigation strategies.
Strong knowledge of immigration law, removal defense, asylum law, and applicable forms of relief.
Excellent legal research, writing, motion drafting, and oral advocacy skills.
Ability to independently analyze complex cases and develop sound legal arguments.
Experience working with detained individuals and urgent immigration matters is strongly preferred.
Proficiency with Westlaw, LexisNexis, and electronic case management systems.
Excellent organizational, communication, and client advocacy skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience representing detained individuals in immigration proceedings.
Experience litigating bond hearings and custody-related matters.
Familiarity with habeas corpus proceedings and federal immigration litigation.
Experience handling Cuban Adjustment Act cases, asylum cases, and complex removal defense matters.
Familiarity with the Eleventh Circuit and immigration law developments affecting cases in Florida.
Experience working in a nonprofit legal services organization or serving immigrant communities.
Experience supervising or mentoring paralegals and working with DOJ-accredited representatives.

What we are looking for:
We are looking for an attorney who is not only knowledgeable in immigration law but who is also a strong legal advocate and critical thinker.

The ideal candidate must be comfortable taking ownership of cases, identifying legal issues, conducting independent research, developing case strategies, and preparing persuasive legal arguments.

This is a hands-on position requiring active participation in court proceedings, particularly detained cases and complex removal defense matters.

The attorney must be able to work collaboratively with the Immigration Director and legal support team while exercising independent professional judgment and maintaining high standards of legal representation.

Our Mission:
At Open Arms Community Center, we believe access to competent legal representation is essential. We are committed to protecting the rights of immigrant communities and providing responsible, professional, and effective immigration legal services.