Staff Attorney, Habeas Program
WHO WE ARE
Born out of the legal efforts at JFK Airport during the Muslim Ban, Immigrant-ARC (“I-ARC”) has been growing exponentially since spinning out as a stand-alone non-profit over five years ago. During that time, we have been on the frontlines of responding to the Afghan evacuation, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and welcoming recently arrived immigrants to New York City and New York State, all while strengthening and growing the immigration legal services field to increase immigrant New Yorker’s access to counsel and access to justice.
Our community includes over 100 legal service providers in New York State. We come together in solidarity with all New Yorkers who believe in fair and just immigration policies and who share our collective outrage at the injustices confronting immigrant communities. We use our knowledge of immigration law and practice to empower each other and the communities we serve to collectively fight systemic oppression and seek respect and dignity for all. We recognize that access to justice for immigrant communities is inextricably linked to the broader fight for racial justice. We commit to working alongside all others who are fighting to achieve a vision of a more just and equitable world.
I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program is a pro bono project that matches immigration attorneys with volunteer federal litigators and expert mentors to fully litigate habeas petitions on behalf of New Yorkers arrested and detained by ICE and to provide limited representation for immigration court bond hearings ordered by the habeas court.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Habeas Staff Attorney will play a key role in supporting the daily execution and operations of I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program. Reporting to the Habeas Program Director and working in close coordination with the Habeas Supervising Attorney, this position provides hands-on technical assistance, case guidance, and operational support to volunteer attorneys and legal partners handling immigration bond hearings and federal habeas corpus litigation.
The Habeas Staff Attorney brings practical experience in detained immigration defense to strengthen community and pro bono litigation capacity. This role actively supports volunteers through direct case assistance, resource creation, training delivery, and direct representation on select cases to ensure individuals in immigration detention receive high-quality legal advocacy.
NOTE: This is a grant funded position with a two-year term (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028). This position is subject to the availability of grant funding and organizational need.
Specifically, the Habeas Staff Attorney will:
Provide Mentorship, Technical Assistance & Volunteer Support: Serve as a primary point of contact for volunteer attorneys, offering day-to-day practice guidance, case troubleshooting, and technical support.
Case Intake & Quality Monitoring: Assist in screening, reviewing, and tracking active habeas and bond cases handled by volunteer partners to help maintain quality standards and identify emerging litigation trends.
Direct Legal Representation: Maintain a selective caseload of bond and habeas matters before federal and immigration courts, providing direct representation and co-counsel support alongside volunteer partners, stepping into urgent cases as needed.
Develop Trainings & Practice Tools: Draft, update, and maintain legal templates, sample pleadings, practice advisories, and resource toolkits, while assisting in the delivery of training modules for volunteer attorneys.
Pro Bono & Partner Collaboration: Liaise regularly with pro bono law firm partners and legal service organizations to facilitate case placement, answer practice questions, and support smooth case management.
Programmatic & Administrative Support: Assist with tracking program metrics, collecting case data, and organizing materials needed for grant reporting and program evaluation.
Supervision: Provide day-to-day practice guidance, technical assistance, and case troubleshooting to volunteer attorneys and partners, without direct supervisory oversight."
Administrative Duties: Assist with tracking program metrics, collecting case data, and organizing materials.
WHO YOU ARE
A Tenacious Litigator with Experience Defending Detained Immigrants in Immigration and Federal Courts : You bring substantial experience working with detained immigrants and defending them in their bond hearings as well as recent experience litigating immigration habeas matters before federal courts. You are comfortable navigating complex legal issues, developing litigation strategy, and advocating effectively in high-stakes matters.
A Collaborative Partner: You excel at building relationships and working across teams and organizations. You have experience collaborating with pro bono law firms, legal service providers, and other stakeholders to advance shared goals and expand access to high-quality legal representation.
An Adaptable Problem Solver: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can effectively manage multiple priorities at once. You exercise sound judgment, work independently when needed, and remain calm under pressure when handling emergency or time-sensitive legal matters.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
I-ARC aims to be as transparent and equitable as possible when discussing salaries. Ranges are determined and offers are made based on an existing compensation plan that is regularly updated after market research is performed and funding prospects are assessed. Our compensation philosophy, key performance metrics required at each position level, and organizational budget with salary lines are made available to all staff.
Employment Type & Hours: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried
This is a grant-funded position with a term of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2028. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding and organizational need.
Wage: $78,000 - $90,000 annual salary*
Experience: JD (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school and active New York bar admission required. A minimum of two to three (2-3) years of litigation experience representing detained noncitizens before federal and/or immigration courts is required. Admission to practice before at least one federal district court in New York is required; admission in New Jersey and/or Pennsylvania is a plus. Experience staffing complex litigation, developing legal training materials, and working with pro bono legal partners is strongly preferred. Proficiency with collaboration and case management platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Airtable, Jotform, Zoom, or similar tools is required
Benefits: Flexible schedule, medical and dental (fully covered for employee, 50% for dependents), flexible PTO policy, sick days, retirement matching up to 3% after 90 days, professional development opportunities, wellness perks, other benefits as applicable.
Location: Remote. Candidates must reside in New York, as some travel will be required across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as needed.
*As this position is grant funded, starting salaries are set in advance according to the terms of the contract and are non-negotiable. I-ARC is committed to transparency and equity in compensation. Salary ranges are determined based on a structured compensation plan that is regularly reviewed and updated based on market research and available funding. We share our compensation philosophy, key performance expectations, and organizational budget details related to salary lines openly with all staff.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work will be performed in a hybrid environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
I-ARC is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
APPLY NOW
Bond and Case Coordinator (1099 Independent Contractor)
WHO WE ARE
Born out of the legal efforts at JFK Airport during the Muslim Ban, Immigrant-ARC (“I-ARC”) has been growing exponentially since spinning out as a stand-alone non-profit over five years ago. During that time, we have been on the frontlines of responding to the Afghan evacuation, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and welcoming recently arrived immigrants to New York City and New York State, all while strengthening and growing the immigration legal services field to increase immigrant New Yorker’s access to counsel and access to justice.
Our community includes over 100 legal service providers in New York State. We come together in solidarity with all New Yorkers who believe in fair and just immigration policies and who share our collective outrage at the injustices confronting immigrant communities. We use our knowledge of immigration law and practice to empower each other and the communities we serve to collectively fight systemic oppression and seek respect and dignity for all. We recognize that access to justice for immigrant communities is inextricably linked to the broader fight for racial justice. We commit to working alongside all others who are fighting to achieve a vision of a more just and equitable world.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Bond Coordinator will assist with bond hearing preparation and representation for detained individuals served by I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program. In this position you will work with detained individuals, their families/communities and their counsel to prepare evidentiary packets for bond hearings.
The Bond Coordinator will serve as the program’s primary support for bond representation. This role will support the Habeas Operations Senior Manager in the recruitment of volunteers, contract attorneys and pro bono limited scope representation.
NOTE: This is a grant-funded contractor position with a two-year term (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028). The position is subject to the availability of grant funding and organizational need.
Specifically, the Bond Coordinator will:
Organize the collection of documents and evidence needed for bond representation.
Liaise directly with bond counsel as needed to confirm what kind of documentation is needed in each case and to coordinate timely collection.
Facilitate communication with detained clients and with family/community members where necessary to obtain records and evidence for bond packets and for habeas case evaluation/preparation as needed and to ensure timely responses to case inquiries.
Referrals to NYIFUP Providers: As needed, coordinate and confirm the early referral of eligible NY Habeas Program cases to New York Family Unity Project (NYIFUP)-funded providers to secure bond/removal representation in immigration court
Volunteer Bond Packet Preparation: Assist the Habeas Operations Sr. Manager in recruitment, screening, and coordination of volunteers.
Pro Bono Limited Scope Representation: Assist the Habeas Operations Sr. Manager in recruitment, screening, and coordination of pro bono attorneys to provide limited scope legal representation to detained individuals at their bond hearings where the person does not have immigration representation.
Low Bono Limited Scope Representation by Contract Fellows: Assist the Habeas Operations Sr. Manager in coordinating contracted attorneys to supplement bond hearing representation for detained individuals served by the NY Habeas Program where needed.
Training: Assist the Habeas Supervising Attorney(s) with training to ensure that all volunteers (both lawyers and non-lawyers) receive the appropriate training and orientation prior to engaging in this work.
Volunteer Guides: Create volunteer guides and checklists to support this work that are specific to each immigration court jurisdiction covered by the NY Habeas Project.
Data Collection: Collect all necessary case and volunteer data in the Program’s data systems and assist with reporting. Ensure timely, consistent, and complete data entry and keep data updated. Coordinate with I-ARC’s Court Observation Project to collect and document pro bono attorney’s’ observations about what happened during their bond hearings as well as bond outcomes for detained individuals served by the NY Habeas Program.
WHO YOU ARE
An Expert at Gathering and Preparing Evidence for Immigration Court Bond Hearings and Other Detained Case Matters: You bring deep expertise in preparation for immigration court bond hearings. You are comfortable speaking with detained individuals, meeting with individuals in custody, and speaking with family, community members and immigration attorneys. You have expertise in collecting documentation for and preparing bond and other evidentiary packets for detained cases.
A Collaborative Partner: You excel at building relationships and working across teams and organizations. You have experience working with immigration attorneys, law firms, and families/communities.
An Adaptable Problem Solver: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can effectively manage multiple priorities at once. You exercise sound judgment, work independently when needed, and remain calm under pressure when handling emergency or time-sensitive legal matters.
COMPENSATION AND CONTRACT TERMS
At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
I-ARC is committed to transparency and equity in contractor compensation. Compensation is determined based on the scope of work, relevant experience, qualifications, market research, available funding, and organizational budget.
Contract Type: Independent Contractor (1099)
Expected Workload: Approximately 25–30 hours per week
Contract Term: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028, contingent upon continued grant funding and organizational need. Contract renewal or extension may be considered based on funding availability and organizational priorities.
Compensation: $4,000 per month*
As an independent contractor, you will be responsible for your own taxes and business expenses. This position is not eligible for employee benefits.
Experience: Experience working as a paralegal or Department of Justice Accredited Representative in detained immigration removal defense is strongly preferred. Proficiency with collaboration and case management platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Airtable, Jotform, Zoom, or similar tools is also preferred.
Language(s): Bilingual applicants strongly encouraged.
Location: Remote. Candidates must reside in New York, as some travel will be required across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as needed.
Equal Opportunity
I-ARC is an equal-opportunity organization with a strong commitment to diversity. At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
APPLY NOW
Habeas Supervising Attorney
WHO WE ARE
Born out of the legal efforts at JFK Airport during the Muslim Ban, Immigrant-ARC (“I-ARC”) has been growing exponentially since spinning out as a stand-alone non-profit over five years ago. During that time, we have been on the frontlines of responding to the Afghan evacuation, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and welcoming recently arrived immigrants to New York City and New York State, all while strengthening and growing the immigration legal services field to increase immigrant New Yorker’s access to counsel and access to justice.
Our community includes over 100 legal service providers in New York State. We come together in solidarity with all New Yorkers who believe in fair and just immigration policies and who share our collective outrage at the injustices confronting immigrant communities. We use our knowledge of immigration law and practice to empower each other and the communities we serve to collectively fight systemic oppression and seek respect and dignity for all. We recognize that access to justice for immigrant communities is inextricably linked to the broader fight for racial justice. We commit to working alongside all others who are fighting to achieve a vision of a more just and equitable world.
I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program is a pro bono project that matches immigration attorneys with volunteer federal litigators and expert mentors to fully litigate habeas petitions on behalf of New Yorkers arrested and detained by ICE and to provide limited representation for immigration court bond hearings ordered by the habeas court.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
The Habeas Supervising Attorney will play a critical role in supporting the strategic development and execution of I-ARC’s New York Habeas Program. This position’s primary role is to provide expert guidance and mentorship to the program’s volunteer attorneys and legal partners. The Habeas Supervising Attorney will also oversee the quality of litigation handled through the program, and help shape legal strategy in an evolving immigration enforcement landscape.
The Habeas Supervising Attorney will serve as one of the program’s subject matter expert on immigration habeas corpus litigation and immigration court bond hearings, ensuring that individuals in immigration detention receive high-quality legal representation and advocacy. This role will work closely with volunteer attorneys, pro bono law firm partners, and internal stakeholders to strengthen litigation capacity, develop legal resources, and support impactful representation in complex and high-stakes cases.
NOTE: This a grant-funded position with with a one-year term (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) Position is subject to the availability of grant funding and organizational need.
Specifically, the Habeas Supervising Attorney will:
Mentor and Supervise Volunteers: Provide mentorship, supervision, and technical assistance to volunteer attorneys and habeas mentors, stepping into cases directly when needed.
Oversee Litigation Quality: Monitor active habeas and bond cases handled by volunteer attorneys and mentors, provide ongoing guidance, and ensure high-quality representation and effective case strategy.
Provide Expert Legal Guidance and Representation: Serve as the program's subject matter expert on immigration habeas corpus litigation and bond hearings. Act as back-up counsel and provide direct representation in complex, emergency, and high-stakes matters before federal and immigration courts.
Collaborate with Pro Bono Partners: Work closely with pro bono law firms and legal partners to support case strategy, strengthen advocacy efforts, and expand access to representation.
Develop Trainings and Legal Resources: Create and maintain legal templates, practice guides, and other practice materials, and design and deliver trainings for volunteers and partners.
Support Program Administration: Assist with funder reporting requirements and other programmatic responsibilities to ensure compliance with grant deliverables.
WHO YOU ARE
A Tenacious Litigator with Expertise in Detained Removal Defense and Federal Habeas Litigation: You bring deep expertise in detained removal defense and immigration habeas corpus litigation and substantial experience representing detained noncitizens in federal court. You are comfortable navigating complex legal issues, developing litigation strategy, and advocating effectively in high-stakes matters.
A Strategic Litigation Leader: You have experience overseeing complex litigation and guiding case strategy across multiple matters simultaneously. You are skilled at evaluating legal approaches, identifying risks and opportunities, and making sound decisions in fast-moving and time-sensitive situations.
An Educator and Capacity Builder: You are passionate about strengthening legal advocacy through mentorship, training, and technical assistance. You have experience developing practical legal resources, leading trainings, and supporting attorneys in building expertise and confidence in complex areas of law.
A Collaborative Partner: You excel at building relationships and working across teams and organizations. You have experience collaborating with pro bono law firms, legal service providers, and other stakeholders to advance shared goals and expand access to high-quality legal representation.
An Adaptable Problem Solver: You thrive in fast-paced environments and can effectively manage multiple priorities at once. You exercise sound judgment, work independently when needed, and remain calm under pressure when handling emergency or time-sensitive legal matters.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
I-ARC aims to be as transparent and equitable as possible when discussing salaries. Ranges are determined and offers are made based on an existing compensation plan that is regularly updated after market research is performed and funding prospects are assessed. Our compensation philosophy, key performance metrics required at each position level, and organizational budget with salary lines are made available to all staff.
Employment Type & Hours: Full-time, Exempt, Salaried
This is a grant-funded position with a term of July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027. Renewal is contingent upon continued funding and organizational need.
Wage: $100,000 - $110,000 annual salary*
Experience: JD (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school and active New York bar admission required. A minimum of five (5) years of experience representing detained noncitizens before federal and/or immigration courts is required. Relevant and recent experience litigating immigration habeas corpus petitions and federal court matters is required. Admission to practice before at least one federal district court in New York is required; admission in New Jersey and/or Pennsylvania is a plus. Experience supervising attorneys, managing complex litigation, developing legal training materials, and working with pro bono legal partners is strongly preferred. Proficiency with collaboration and case management platforms such as Google Workspace, Slack, Asana, Airtable, Jotform, Zoom, or similar tools is required.
Benefits: Flexible schedule, medical and dental (fully covered for employee, 50% for dependents), flexible PTO policy, sick days, retirement matching up to 3% after 90 days, professional development opportunities, wellness perks, other benefits as applicable.
Location: Remote. Candidates must reside in New York, as some travel will be required across New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania as needed.
*As this position is grant funded, starting salaries are set in advance according to the terms of the contract and are non-negotiable. I-ARC is committed to transparency and equity in compensation. Salary ranges are determined based on a structured compensation plan that is regularly reviewed and updated based on market research and available funding. We share our compensation philosophy, key performance expectations, and organizational budget details related to salary lines openly with all staff.
Work Environment/Physical Demands
The work environment and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Work will be performed in a hybrid environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The above job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and standards of the position. Incumbents will follow any other instructions, and perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.
I-ARC is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. At I-ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.
APPLY NOW
Board Member
WHO WE ARE
Born out of the legal efforts at JFK Airport during the Muslim Ban, Immigrant ARC has been growing exponentially since spinning out as a stand-alone non-profit over three years ago. During that time, we have been on the frontlines of responding to the Afghan evacuation, the reception of Ukrainian refugees, and welcoming recently arrived immigrants to New York City and New York State, all while strengthening and growing the immigration legal services field to increase immigrant New Yorker’s access to counsel and access to justice.
Our community includes over 80 legal service providers in New York State. We come together in solidarity with all New Yorkers who believe in fair and just immigration policies and who share our collective outrage at the injustices confronting immigrant communities. We use our knowledge of immigration law and practice to empower each other and the communities we serve to collectively fight systemic oppression and seek respect and dignity for all. We recognize that access to justice for immigrant communities is inextricably linked to the broader fight for racial justice. We commit to working alongside all others who are fighting to achieve a vision of a more just and equitable world.
SUMMARY:
As a member of the Board of Directors, you assume responsibility for ensuring that the organization fulfills its mission to increase access to justice for immigrant New Yorkers by mobilizing New York’s legal representatives to better serve our communities, organizing our resources and strategies because we are stronger when we work together, and resisting anti-immigrant policies by shining a light on injustices and confronting inequalities faced by our communities in the legal system.
We are looking for dynamic, passionate individuals ready to jump into a growing, rapid-response organization that has been on the frontline of most immigrant justice headlines over the last decade. We especially are looking for a diversity of voices and perspectives from throughout New York State and across all sectors. We will happily provide training and support to any Board members looking for a way to make an impact but who may have had limited leadership experience in the past.
Specifically, Board Members are expected to do the following:
Strategic Planning: Collaborate with fellow board members and executive leadership to develop and implement long-term strategic plans that align with Immigrant ARC's mission and values.
Financial Oversight: Provide oversight and guidance on financial matters including budgeting, fundraising initiatives, grant applications, and financial reporting to ensure the organization's fiscal health and sustainability. Vote on the organization’s annual budget.
Fundraising: Support fundraising efforts, including making an annual financial donation of personal significance.
Governance and Compliance: Uphold high standards of governance, ethics, and compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
Advocacy and Community Engagement: Serve as a passionate advocate for immigrant and refugee rights and represent Immigrant ARC in the community, fostering partnerships and alliances with other organizations, government agencies, and stakeholders.
Resource Development: Actively participate in fundraising efforts by leveraging personal networks, identifying potential donors, and assisting in donor cultivation and stewardship activities.
Board Meetings and Committees: Attend and actively participate in board meetings, committee meetings, and special events as required, contributing insights, expertise, and constructive feedback to advance the organization's mission.
Evaluation and Accountability: Participate in periodic evaluations of board performance, organizational effectiveness, and impact measurement, and take appropriate actions to address areas for improvement.
Support for Executive Leadership: Provide support and guidance to the executive director and leadership team, offering expertise, mentorship, and advice as needed to facilitate organizational growth and success. Participate in annual evaluations of the executive director.
Time Commitment: Average of 2 hours per month. Terms are two years.
HOW TO APPLY Please send your resume and statement of interest to executivedirector@immigrantarc.org.
###
I-ARC is an equal-opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity. At Immigrant ARC we aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where everyone feels empowered to be their whole selves and is treated with dignity and respect. We welcome applications from qualified individuals, irrespective of their race, skin color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, disability status, or any other characteristic. We encourage anyone who feels qualified to apply regardless of gaps in resume, unconventional career paths, or other factors.