Job Description

Application Opening: Friday,   September 5, 2025

Application Deadline:  by 11:45pm on Friday, September 26, 2025

The Immigration Defense Unit at the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office provides legal representation to immigrants who are detained and facing deportation in San Francisco’s immigration courts. Launched in 2017, the unit is one of the largest deportation defense teams housed within a public defender’s office west of New York City. It represents noncitizens in federal immigration court who cannot afford an attorney—an essential service, as individuals with legal representation are five times more likely to succeed in removal proceedings. Since its inception, the Immigration Unit has been at the forefront of defending immigrant rights, challenging unjust detention and deportation policies, and shaping the landscape of deportation defense in the United States.

As part of the San Francisco Public Defender’s Immigration Representation Program, the immigration attorney will provide direct representation and manage a high caseload of detained and non-detained clients facing deportation in the Immigration Courts. As needed, the attorney will conduct appellate work, file motions to reopen, and make requests for release from custody from Immigration & Customs Enforcement. The attorney may periodically file suit in federal district court to seek habeas relief. In addition to providing direct representation, the detention attorney will provide advice to criminal defenders pursuant to  Padilla v. Kentucky about immigration consequences of criminal charges to non-citizens.

Job Description

8177- Attorney- Immigration Unit

Appointment Type: Temporary Exempt   Category 18- Grant Positions for 3 years.

The Public Defender's Office is hiring three (3) 8177 - Attorneys for the Immigration Unit.

Deputy Public Defender (Immigration Unit- removal)

We are seeking full-time attorneys to zealously represent detained and non-detained non-citizens in removal proceedings, including Reasonable Fear Interviews (RFI), removal proceedings, bond proceedings, and applications before USCIS. Candidates should also have experience navigating issues related to the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Open to members in good standing with the California Bar Association. Applicants must indicate high proficiency in Spanish for consideration.

Deputy Public Defender (Immigration Unit- hybrid removal and appellate)

We are seeking a full-time attorney to represent noncitizens in removal proceedings, who also have experience litigating before the Board of Immigration Appeals and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Preferred candidates will have experience litigating habeas petitions before the federal district courts. Candidates should also have experience navigating issues related to the intersection of immigration and criminal law. Open to members in good standing with the California Bar Association. Applicants must indicate high proficiency in Spanish for consideration.

This position involves a mixed docket of direct representation in removal proceedings before the Immigration Court as well as focusing on the unit’s appellate practice before the BIA and Ninth Circuit, and federal habeas practice before District Court.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide zealous, full-scope representation to detained and non-detained individuals facing removal proceedings before the Immigration Court. This includes handling appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and U.S. District Courts, as well as related applications before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• Assist clients with post-conviction relief remedies as needed.
• Handle a demanding caseload through all phases of litigation while managing and coordinating the efforts of a multidisciplinary support team, including investigators, paralegals, social workers, legal processing clerks, and external experts.
• Provide legal advice to Public Defenders in compliance with Padilla v. Kentucky and relevant California state law.
• Travel to and from distant immigration detention facilities as required.
• Attend internal and external trainings for ongoing professional development.
• Participate in and conduct in-house immigration law trainings for staff.

Desirable

Qualifications

• Demonstrates commitment to immigrant rights and criminal defense, with a focus on aggressively advocating for individuals facing deportation, including low-income individuals, people of color, seniors, and people with disabilities.
• Significant immigration law experience, particularly in removal and criminal-immigration defense; prior criminal defense experience is welcome but not required.
• Two years of immigration law or trial experience preferred
• Experience practicing before the Board of Immigration Appeals, filing Petitions for Review before the Ninth Circuit, and submitting petitions for habeas corpus in California district courts.
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills.
• Highly motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Willingness and ability to travel to immigration detention facilities as needed.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish at a high level of proficiency, orally and in writing, especially with monolingual Spanish-speakers.

Qualifications

Applicants must fully meet the minimum

qualifications

License and Certification:

Active membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Desirable

Qualifications

• Demonstrates commitment to immigrant rights and criminal defense, with a focus on aggressively advocating for individuals facing deportation, including low-income individuals, people of color, seniors, and people with disabilities;
• Significant immigration law experience, particularly in removal and criminal-immigration defense; prior criminal defense experience is welcome but not required;
• Two years of immigration law or trial experience preferred;
• Experience practicing before the Board of Immigration Appeals, filing Petitions for Review before the Ninth Circuit, and submitting petitions for habeas corpus in California district courts;
• Excellent research, analytical, written, and oral communication skills;
• Highly motivated with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, high-volume environment;
• Willingness and ability to travel to immigration detention facilities as needed;
• Ability to communicate in Spanish at a high level of proficiency, orally and in writing, especially with monolingual Spanish-speakers.

Additional Information

Additional Information

• Seniority Credit in Promotional Exams [required for Combined, Promotive, Entrance (CPE) Exams only]

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit and begin the application process.

• Select the “I’m Interested” button and follow instructions on the screen

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every announcement for which they file. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (associated with cancer, a history of cancer, or genetic characteristics), HIV/AIDS status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, military and veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

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