Immigrant Rights Staff Attorney

THE OPPORTUNITY

Under the supervision of the Senior Immigrant Rights Staff Attorney, the Immigrant Rights Staff Attorney will (1) identify and develop new litigation and other legal advocacy projects to address civil rights abuses in New Mexico, with a particular emphasis on the rights of immigrants and border communities; (2) support policy advocacy efforts that aim to improve the lives of immigrants and border communities; and (3) strengthen the ACLU’s collaboration and communication with allied organizations, especially those working on behalf of immigrants and border communities.

This is an exempt full-time position based in New Mexico and reporting to the Senior Immigrant Rights Staff Attorney.

WHO WE ARE

Our mission is to protect and advance justice, liberty, and equity as guaranteed by the constitutions of New Mexico and the United States. We are committed to ending racism and other inequities. This includes how we work with each other and with our partners and allies in the communities we serve. For more information, please visit our website at www.aclu-nm.org

Equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging are core values of the ACLU and central to our work. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible.

ACLU-NM has offices in Albuquerque and Las Cruces and maintains a flexible hybrid work environment to best support the needs of our staff and the work. Most employees work from the office an average of 4-12 hours per week.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Identify and develop new litigation and other legal advocacy projects by conducting factual, legal and strategic analysis, and developing relevant theories and materials.
• Litigate immigrants’ rights and border issues 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 in state and federal trial and appellate courts.
• Follow up with individuals who submit complaints to the ACLU or otherwise have experienced civil rights violations, including conducting interviews, gathering affidavits and conducting research to determine whether further action by the ACLU is warranted.
• File public records requests, administrative complaints and amicus briefs in support of litigation and legal advocacy strategies.
• Build and strengthen relationships and communications with allied organizations, especially groups and coalitions representing detained and nondetained immigrants, border communities, and other targeted populations. This includes representing ACLU-NM in key coalitions.
• Prepare, coordinate, and facilitate “Know Your Rights” trainings relating to immigrant rights and border issues, including training others in the community to conduct these trainings.
• Articulate ACLU views to a variety of audiences, through public speaking, traditional and social media, and other means.
• Work with ACLU policy and communications staff to advance the ACLU’s goals on immigration and border issues.
• Support legislative advocacy with legal and policy analysis.
• Recruit and work with ACLU-NM volunteer attorneys who are interested in serving as co-counsel in civil rights litigation.
• May recruit and oversee the work of legal interns.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other ACLU-NM departments in carrying out the ACLU’s “integrated advocacy” approach.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to advancing the ACLU’s values, mission, goals and programs. Preference will be given to applicants with an understanding of issues facing communities directly impacted by the criminal justice system, police violence, economic injustice and immigration policies, either through personal lived experience or prior work experience.

• Commitment to racial and other forms of equity, both internally in our organization and externally in the communities that we serve.
• Awareness of and willingness to engage in the difficult and transformative work of challenging systems of oppression, institutional and structural racism, and implicit bias.
• J.D. degree and minimum of two years of litigation experience preferred.  Relevant expertise on border issues, immigration, detention, national security, or other related issues is also preferred, but not required.
• Professional proficiency in Spanish (both written and oral).
• Member of the State Bar of New Mexico or willingness to become admitted to the New Mexico Bar within one year of hire.
• Self-motivated and able to work and litigate independently and under pressure.
• Excellent legal research, writing, and analytical ability.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct complex legal analysis and fact-finding.
• Experience managing cases
• Ability to participate in, create and sustain inclusive and engaging spaces for all races, ethnicities, genders, ages, classes and geographies.
• Commitment to and familiarity with immigrant rights, racial and social justice, and civil liberties issues.
• Experience working with diverse communities and cultures.
• Ability to work cooperatively on a variety of projects with attorneys, other staff members, and diverse community organizations and coalitions.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including an ability to navigate and resolve conflict in a manner that values and respects relationships with colleagues inside and outside of the ACLU-NM.
• Able to work occasional overtime or irregular hours, including some weekends.
• Able to travel when needed.

No one person will have all the qualities enumerated above. We strongly encourage you to apply if you are interested and feel you could be successful in this role.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The anticipated annual salary for this role is $80,578.  We offer excellent benefits, including employer-paid health, dental and vision insurance for employees; long-term disability and life insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with an employer contribution and match of up to 5.5%; and vacation accrual that starts at 18 days per year in addition to sick leave and family and medical leave.

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications are treated confidentially. Please send cover letter no longer than one page and resume by email to [email protected]. Please include “Immigrant Rights Staff Attorney” in the subject line and all attachments should be in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Your letter should explain ways in which you satisfy the skills and qualifications specified above. We also invite applicants to include in their letter information about how their background and/or experiences could contribute to the diversity, cultural vitality, and perspective of our staff and advocacy work. Please indicate where you learned of this job posting. No phone calls, please. Note: we will not accept resumes that do not include a cover letter.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible as we will begin evaluating applications on June 29, 2025.

This job description provides a general but not comprehensive list of the essential responsibilities and qualifications required. It does not represent a contract of employment. The ACLU of New Mexico reserves the right to change the job description and/or posting at any time without advance notice.

COVID:

For the safety of our staff, their families, and the communities that we work with, ACLU-NM requires that staff be fully vaccinated as defined by the CDC.

ACLU of New Mexico is an equal opportunity employer. We value a diverse workforce and promote an inclusive culture. We believe that having a board, staff, and volunteer base with diverse personal and professional backgrounds enhances our ability to meet our mission and creates an environment where all members of our community can thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who have been formerly incarcerated, and other members of underrepresented and marginalized groups.

“ACLU of New Mexico” refers collectively to two separate corporate entities, ACLU of New Mexico and ACLU of New Mexico Foundation. The two entities share the same mission, office space, and employees.