Careers

Deportation Defense Attorney 

• Job type: Temporary contract through December 31st, 2026, with the option to renew 
• Pay: $85,000 – $95,000, plus generous benefits 
• Location: CAIR Washington (CAIR-WA), Tacoma / Seattle, WA (Detention-based work at NWDC) 
• Reports to: CAIR-WA’s Legal Director

Job description: 

CAIR Washington (CAIR-WA) is seeking a Deportation Defense Attorney to join our Immigrant Justice Project and provide direct legal representation to immigrants facing detention and removal in Washington State. 

This role focuses on defending individuals detained at the Northwest Detention Center (NWDC) in Tacoma, including habeas litigation and removal defense, with limited representation in non-detained cases. The ideal candidate is a public-interest attorney committed to immigrant and civil rights advocacy and comfortable working in a fast-paced, community-centered legal environment.  

Practice Areas: Detention and habeas litigation 

Responsibilities: 

• Litigate habeas petitions on behalf of detained immigrants.  
• Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with key partners including local rapid response groups, legal services organizations, community groups, private attorneys, and relevant bar associations. 
• Develop and maintain written resources and materials to assist attorneys representing detained immigrants in federal court. 
• Provide direct legal representation to detained immigrants, including litigating habeas petitions in federal court. 
• Represent clients in removal proceedings before Immigration Court, on appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), and as needed before federal courts and DHS. 
• Draft motions, briefs, pleadings, and legal memoranda 
• Conduct legal research, factual investigation, and records requests 
• Work closely with pro bono and low-bono attorneys, community partners, and rapid response networks  
• Maintain accurate case files, notes, and reporting data; assist with grant reporting requirements 
• Communicate regularly with clients and families using a trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach 
• Develop legal resources and tools for attorneys representing detained immigrants 
• Support community education efforts, including Know Your Rights and self-advocacy materials, as assigned 
• Engage in investigative work, submit records requests, and prepare legal filings. 
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with affected communities, community-based organizations, local immigration attorneys, and other stakeholders. 

Qualifications: 

• 2–5+ years of deportation defense experience, with a strong preference for experience representing detained immigrants and litigating habeas cases 
• Strong legal research, writing, and advocacy skills 
• Solid understanding of the U.S. immigration detention and removal system 
• Ability to work collaboratively with attorneys, clients, and community partners 

Skills and Abilities: 

• Passion for – and well-articulated knowledge of – immigration law and providing direct services to immigration clients. 
• Familiarity with the work and mission of CAIR-WA. 
• Strong familiarity with the immigration detention system. 
• Languages: Proficiency in Arabic, Somali, Dari or other widely spoken languages in our communities is highly desirable. 
• Adaptability to embrace and navigate new, dynamic projects, and the ability to recognize and maximize opportunities on behalf of the organization. 
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including attorneys, clients and other non-legal audiences, community groups, government officials, media, ESL speakers, trauma survivors, and people from different cultural backgrounds. 
• Training in trauma-informed culturally sensitive care and experience interacting with Muslim, immigrant, and/or refugee communities is a plus. 
• Legal knowledge and experience with common immigration law and immigrant rights issues impacting Muslims and their families, including but not limited to TRIG issues, CAARP issues and other visa/citizenship delays, travel detention, law enforcement surveillance, etc. 

Compensation: 

• The salary range is between $85,000-95,000, depending upon experience. 
• Generous benefits package includes fully covered medical and dental insurance for the new hire as well as all dependents, 401(k)with employer matching, and 8 weeks of vacation and flex PTO. 
• CAIR-WA is invested in the professional development of its staff. The hire will have access to mentors through the CAIR Legal Network and will attend an annual legal training held by CAIR National. 
• CAIR-WA will cover attorney bar fees and CLE courses.  

To apply, please email Noor at nalsaleh@cair.com with a resume and cover letter. 

Part-Time Detention Intake Coordinator 

• Status: Part-Time (20 hours/week) 
• Pay: $30-35 per hour, with access to PTO, sick time, mental health services
• Location: Remote within Washington State (with availability during core business hours)
• Reports to: CAIR-WA’s Legal Director and Deputy Legal Director

About CAIR-WA 

The Council on American-Islamic Relations of Washington (CAIR-WA) is a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization dedicated to protecting civil liberties, promoting justice, and empowering Muslim communities across Washington State. Our work centers those most directly impacted by systemic discrimination, immigration enforcement, and state violence. 

Position Overview 

The Detention Intake Coordinator plays a critical role in CAIR-WA’s response to immigration enforcement and detention impacting Muslim and other marginalized communities. This position serves as a compassionate and informed first point of contact for individuals who are detained and for family members navigating the fear and disruption caused by enforcement actions. 

Grounded in CAIR-WA’s values of dignity, access, and community accountability, the coordinator will conduct detention-related intakes, collect and manage sensitive information, and connect families to legal and community-based resources. This role requires strong judgment, cultural humility, and the ability to support people during moments of acute crisis while maintaining confidentiality and care. 

Core Responsibilities 

Detention Intake & Community Response 

• Serve as an initial point of contact for detention-related inquiries, referrals, and emergency calls 
• Conduct trauma-informed intake conversations with detained individuals and/or their family members 
• Provide clear, accurate information about CAIR-WA services, legal processes, and next steps 
• Communicate with empathy and respect, recognizing the emotional, cultural, and religious contexts of impacted families 

Data Collection & Case Coordination 

• Collect, verify, and document detention-related information accurately and confidentially 
• Enter and maintain intake data in CAIR-WA’s case management and tracking systems 
• Coordinate closely with legal staff and program leadership to support detention cases and referrals 
• Support internal tracking and reporting needs to strengthen program effectiveness and accountability 

Referrals & Resource Navigation 

• Connect families to trusted external resources, including bond funds, legal service providers, and community-based support organizations 
• Maintain familiarity with the Tacoma detention facilities and local/national detention response networks 
• Provide referrals that prioritize culturally responsive and linguistically accessible services 
• Work with other CAIR-WA departments, Outreach, Policy and Communications to support additional resourcing for impacted persons. 
• Investigate identified community members who are moved in detention out of state and research case posture and resources in the transfer location. 

Values-Aligned Practice 

• Uphold CAIR-WA’s commitment to civil rights, racial justice, and the protection of religious freedom 
• Maintain strict confidentiality and ethical standards when handling sensitive information 
• Support a community-centered approach that respects the agency, dignity, and resilience of impacted individuals and families 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Experience working with immigrant, refugee, Muslim, or other directly impacted communities 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, especially in high-stress or crisis situations 
• Demonstrated ability to engage with community members with compassion, discretion, and professionalism 
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in documentation and data entry 
• Familiarity with immigration enforcement and detention systems preferred 
• Experience with legal intakes, case management systems, or community hotlines a plus 
• Multilingual abilities strongly preferred (including but not limited to Arabic, Somali, Dari, Pashto) 
• Alignment with CAIR-WA’s mission and commitment to equity, justice, and community empowerment 

Work Expectations 

• Ability to work independently and with initiative while collaborating closely with CAIR-WA’s legal and outreach teams 
• Flexibility to respond to time-sensitive detention-related needs, including on evenings, weekends, and holidays 
• Willingness to engage in ongoing learning related to civil rights, immigration systems, and trauma-informed practices 
• Access to reliable transportation 

To apply, please email Noor at nalsaleh@cair.com with a resume and cover letter.