Fall 2027 Fellowship Sponsorship, Immigrants' Rights Project

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 fortwo years. TheImmigrants Rights Project (IRP)of the National office in New York NY or San Francisco CAseeks applicants to consider for asponsored fellowshipsuch as Equal Justice Works or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2027. This is ahybrid rolethat has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.

We will review applications on a rolling basis but priority consideration will be given to those whosubmitapplications byJune 18 2026.

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

Reporting to theProject Director IRP seeks a Legal Fellowfocused on opposing immigration apprehension tactics that in violation of the Constitution and federal law fuel the administrations goal of mass deportations. This project will require creativity and flexibility in conjunction with the rest of IRPs raids team to proactively target DHSs 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 enforcements 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 apprehensionparticularly 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 ACLUs 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.

• 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 ACLUs 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

• 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

• J.D. or expected to receive a J.D. by the spring of 2027
• Admission to practice inNew 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 Projectthrough 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

The ACLU has a litigator scale thatdeterminespay for attorneys in our Legal Department. The range of salaries are the following based onyearof law school graduation (please consult the hiring manager for specific salary details based on individual circumstances).

• 0-2 years since law school graduation: $96069 - $120009
• 3-5 years since law school graduation: $134414 - $158579
• 6-10 years since law school graduation: $165839 - $187087
• 11-15 years since law school graduation: $190585 - $201403
• 16-20 years since law school graduation: $203304 - $208540
• 21-25 years since law school graduation: $209595 - $213890
• 26-30 years since law school graduation: $214920 - $219104

The ACLU is committed to equity transparency and clarity in pay. These salaries are reflective of positions based in New YorkNYwhereourNational Offices are are subject to a regional pay adjustment if authorization is granted to work outside of the location listed in thisposting.

For details on our pay structure please visit:

For over 100 years the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whetheritsending mass incarceration achieving full equality for the LGBTQ communityestablishingnew privacy protections for our digital age or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

We know that great people make a great organization. We value our people and know that what we offer is essential notjusttheir work but to their overall well-being.

At the ACLU we offer a broad range of benefits which include:

• Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy

• Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical dental and vision coverage parental leave gender affirming care & fertility treatment)

• Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match

• We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds internal professional development programs and workshops

Accessibility equity diversity and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty equality and justice for all. For us diversity equity accessibility and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth humility and grace transparency and accountability. 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. We are as committed to anti-oppression anti-ableism and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether were in the courts or in the office we believe We the People means all of us.

With this commitment in mind we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race color religion gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression age national origin marital status citizenship disability veteran status and record of arrest or conviction or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and needassistanceapplying online please email. If you are selected for an interview you will receiveadditionalinformationregardinghow to requestan accommodationfor the interview process.