Detention Response Legal Fellow (Two-Year Fellowship)

Position Description

Based in Portland, Maine, with a satellite office in Lewiston, the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP) is Maine’s only state-wide immigration legal aid organization. ILAP’s mission is to help low-income immigrants improve their legal status and to work for more just and humane laws and policies affecting immigrants. ILAP’s work includes direct legal services for over 3,000 clients each year; education and outreach to immigrant communities and service providers; and systemic advocacy on local, state, and federal immigration law issues.

About the Role

The Detention Response Legal Fellow supports ILAP’s work to expand access to legal representation for individuals impacted by immigration detention. The fellowship provides an opportunity for an attorney to develop expertise in immigration detention, federal habeas litigation, emergency advocacy, and strategic case assessment while working alongside experienced immigration attorneys.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate requests for legal assistance related to individuals detained by U.S. immigration authorities
• Provide direct representation in federal habeas litigation challenging unlawful detention
• Advocate in bond and custody proceedings in immigration court

Requirements

• Current active New York State Bar membership
• Experience in immigration law, preferably in federal habeas litigation and/or detention-related matters
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

Qualifications

• Lived immigrant experience preferred
• Underrepresented and historically marginalized group preferred

Skills

• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Experience in immigration law, preferably in federal habeas litigation and/or detention-related matters
• Lived immigrant experience preferred
• Underrepresented and historically marginalized group preferred

Benefits

ILAP Offers a Generous Benefits Package. Current Benefits Include:

• Fully paid individual health and dental insurance coverage and significant coverage for dependents’ health insurance
• Vacation (20 days), Holidays (13.5), Sick Days (12), and Personal Days (4)
• Reduced Hours Fridays
• Paid parental leave and a paid family and medical leave policy
• Paid sabbatical after each 5 years of employment
• Employer Retirement Contributions
• Health Savings Plan
• Law School Repayment Assistance
• Employer-paid premium for long term disability and life insurance
• Individual and staff-wide professional development opportunities
• Alternative Work Arrangement (eligible after 90-day onboarding)

Pay

For 2026, ILAP’s base salary for this position ranges from $72,141- $80,628. Placement on our salary scale is based on multiple factors including job classification and years of relevant experience. Employees may also receive additional compensation based on language proficiency in one or more relevant client languages, supervision responsibilities, and membership on ILAP's Equity Committee.

Schedule

Full-time position, 40 hours per week.