Job opening at the ACLU – they are not too keen on 287 g

Immigration Detention Fellow

ACLU of Georgia Foundation

DESCRIPTION:

The American Civil Liberties Union of Georgia seeks an Immigration Detention Fellow to complete a two-year project.

The ACLU is a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan organization with more than 500,000 members, dedicated to the principles of liberty and equality embodied within the U.S. Constitution.

The ACLU of Georgia launched the National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project in March 2007. The project aims to bring the treatment of all immigrant and refugee communities in Georgia, including immigrant detainees, into compliance with international human rights standards. To that end, a variety of strategies are employed, including legislative advocacy, human rights documentation and publishing of reports, attorney recruitment and training, development of impact litigation, public education and organizing, and coalition and movement-building.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The primary responsibilities of the Immigration Detention Fellow will be to investigate and document conditions of confinement for immigrant detainees at various immigration facilities throughout Georgia, including county jails. In addition, the Immigration Detention Fellow will be responsible for producing a report on the treatment of detainees in these facilities. Upon completion, the fellow also will be responsible for devising advocacy tools to raise awareness about the report’s findings.

The follow will be supervised and will report directly to the ACLU of Georgia National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project Director.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Investigate and gather information on conditions at various immigration detention facilities in Georgia, including county jails, through research and on-site visits with a focus on due process violations, prolonged detention, and inhumane treatment;
Prepare a comprehensive report based on this research, including specific recommendations, if appropriate, for bringing Georgia into compliance with constitutional and international human rights standards;
Devise and implement advocacy strategies to implement recommendations;
Assist the National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project Director and volunteer attorneys with any ACLU of Georgia Foundation litigation involving challenges to inhumane conditions at immigration detention facilities;
Identify potential need for the filing of habeas petitions to challenge unlawful detention of individual detainees and work with volunteer attorneys to obtain relief;
Articulate, both orally and in writing, ACLU views to the public and the media on issues related to immigration detention;
Develop and maintain relationships with community and coalition partners;
Develop and maintain relationships with staff at the national ACLU, its projects, and other affiliates, regarding immigration detention and human rights issues;
Prepare reports of program activities and grant reporting as necessary;
Obtain and supervise the assistance of law clerks, interns, and other volunteers;
Attend local, regional or national meetings, as required, for case-related reasons, and travel for research or client visits to Georgia detention facilities;
Engage in other related duties as assigned by the National Security/Immigrants’ Rights Project Director.

QUALIFICATIONS:

· Juris Doctor Degree;

· Admission to the Georgia State Bar preferred;

· Proficiency in Spanish preferred;

· Demonstrated commitment to working on behalf of immigrant and refugee communities;

· An understanding of the international human rights framework preferred; and

· An understanding of immigration law and procedures preferred.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

The salary will be commensurate with an ACLU entry-level legal position. The ACLU of Georgia Foundation offers an excellent benefits package including paid vacation, medical and dental insurance, life and long-term disability insurance, and generous paid holidays.

TO APPLY:

Please send resume, cover letter, and list of three references to:

Azadeh N. Shahshahani

Immigrants’ Rights/National Security Project Director

ACLU of Georgia

75 Piedmont Ave., Suite 514

Atlanta, GA 303903

ashahshahani@acluga.org

The position is available immediately.

THE ACLU IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM WOMEN, PEOPLE OF COLOR, PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES, AND LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER INDIVIDUALS.