Fall 2026 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 for up to two years. The Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) of the National office in New York or San Francisco seeks applicants to consider for a sponsored fellowship such as Equal Justice Works or other public interest fellowships to begin in the fall of 2026. This is a hybrid role that has in-office requirements of two (2) days per week or eight (8) days per month.
The Immigrants’ Rights Project is part of the Legal Department of the national ACLU and has offices in New York and San Francisco. For nearly 40 years, the Project has litigated in trial and appellate courts across the country, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to protect the civil rights and civil liberties of immigrants and seek equal justice under the law. Our work has focused on due process, access to the courts, unfair detention, equal treatment, and state and local laws and policies. For example, we have challenged removals under the Alien Enemies Act; the targeting of student activists for arrest, detention, and deportation; family separation; the Muslim ban; multiple attacks on the asylum system; indefinite and mandatory detention; immigration detainers; state and local anti-immigrant laws; racial and language profiling connected to immigration enforcement; and attempts to eliminate judicial review. We work closely with partners at the national ACLU and affiliates, as well as allied organizations, to pursue litigation and to engage in and support other forms of advocacy and education.
We will review applications on a rolling basis, but priority consideration will be given to those who submit applications by June 30, 2025.
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit. It is represented by ACLU Staff United (ASU).
Reporting to the Project Director and/or Deputy Project Director, the Fellow will focus on two potential issue areas: (1) pushing back against the increasing role of state and local law enforcement in immigration policing, including challenging state laws like copycats of Texas’s SB4; addressing mass deputization of local officers; and challenging abusive practices in raids and other mass arrests involving local officials; and (2) challenging efforts to weaponize immigration procedures to circumvent due process and silence protected speech, including challenges to new systemic efforts to sidestep immigration procedures like the Alien Enemies Act and the 212(f) proclamation, and use of those and other immigration tools against disfavored speech and political “enemies.” We will reassess and adjust the Fellow’s work in light of our priorities as they develop, the fast-changing legal and policy landscape, and the Fellow’s unique strengths and experiences.
- 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 ACLU’s 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 ACLU legislative and policy advocates and campaigners to advance the ACLU’s goals on immigration
- 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 2026
- Admission to practice in New York or California; if not currently admitted, agreement to become admitted within one year of hire
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest law, civil liberties, immigrants’ rights, and racial and social justice
- Willingness to work closely with Immigrants’ Rights Project through 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
- Fluency in Spanish and other relevant foreign languages (written and spoken) is preferred, but not required
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0-2 years since law school graduation: $92,374-$115,393
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3-5 years since law school graduation: $129,244-$152,480
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6-10 years since law school graduation: $159,461- $179,891
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11-15 years since law school graduation: $183,255-$193,657
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16-20 years since law school graduation: $195,485-$200,519
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21-25 years since law school graduation: $201,534-$205,663
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26-30+ years since law school graduation: $206,654- $210,677
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Time away to focus on the things that matter with a generous paid time-off policy
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Focus on your well-being with comprehensive healthcare benefits (including medical, dental and vision coverage, parental leave, gender affirming care & fertility treatment)
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Plan for your retirement with 401k plan and employer match
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We support employee growth and development through annual professional development funds, internal professional development programs and workshops
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