About AILA

Founded in 1946, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit bar association of more than 18,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. AILA's mission is to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and support the professional development of its members. Headquartered in Washington, DC, AILA provides continuing legal education, policy resources, and advocacy leadership through its national network of chapters and committees.

About the Team

AILA's Government Relations (GR) team leads the organization's advocacy before Congress and the executive branch on immigration-related legislation, regulation, and policy. GR tracks legal and policy developments in real time, shapes AILA's official positions, and translates that expertise into resources, analysis, and advocacy tools for AILA members.

About the Role

The Policy and Practice Associate or Counsel advances AILA's administrative, congressional, and broader policy goals. This position represents AILA and advocates for its priorities before Congress and the Administration, monitors developments in immigration law and policy, and develops written advocacy and practice resources for AILA members and external audiences. The role also manages national committees of AILA member subject-matter experts and tracks emerging practice trends affecting immigration practitioners. This position will focus on removal and enforcement issues and will also cover selected humanitarian issues.

Due to the nature of the role, candidates may be required to work extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

What You'll Do

Policy and Legal Analysis

Monitor and track AILA's priority legislative and policy issues with a focus on removal and enforcement and selected humanitarian issues
Draft legal, policy, and advocacy materials on legislation, regulations, and policies
Make recommendations on AILA's policy positions, priorities, and strategies in coordination with AILA staff and expert leadership bodies

Congressional and Administrative Advocacy

Represent AILA with Congress and government agencies, and develop relationships with congressional and administration staff
Manage and support AILA's institutional engagements with agencies
Organize advocacy initiatives targeting Congress and government agencies

Staff Resource to AILA Committees and Membership

Support, track, and review the work of AILA's subject matter expert committees and national committees
Serve as a resource on policy and legislative matters for AILA members
Support the department's grassroots and membership engagement efforts

Information Sharing and Education

Design legislative, advocacy, policy, and other work product to maximize impact on target audiences
Work with AILA communications and online content staff to produce policy, legislative, and advocacy materials
Educate through conferences, webinars, public events, media interviews, and social media

Coalition and Partnerships

Represent AILA in national or regional coalitions and campaign efforts
Cultivate relationships and alliances with organizations that share common advocacy and policy aims

What You'll Bring

Bachelor's degree required; J.D. or master's in public policy or related field preferred; bar admission preferred for the Counsel track
Three to five years of immigration policy and/or general immigration law practice experience, with an emphasis on removal and/or humanitarian immigration
Demonstrated experience drafting legal, policy, or advocacy materials
Experience working with administrative agencies, Congress, or state legislatures
Experience working with coalitions or partner organizations on shared advocacy goals
Prior experience in an association, member-service, or customer-service environment is a plus

Also valuable:

Significant knowledge of immigration law, policy, and procedure
Strong grasp of strategy and the political process
Experience developing and implementing major policy advocacy campaigns directed at Congress and government agencies
Superb writing, editing, and proofreading skills
Strong research, interpersonal, and communication skills
Capacity to manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines, including under pressure
Ability to take initiative and work both independently and in coordination with teams and volunteer leadership

Location and Travel

This is a fully remote role; AILA does not require regularly scheduled in-office days. Because the position involves building relationships with external stakeholders — including coalition partners, Congress, and federal agencies — proximity to the Washington, DC area is preferred for occasional in-person engagement. Occasional travel may be required for meetings, conferences, or events, generally with advance notice.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range provided reflects a reasonable estimate of the annual salary based on AILA's commitment to equitable and market-competitive pay. The actual salary offered will depend on several factors, including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, years of experience, certifications or professional licenses, job-related skills, internal equity, and business needs.

Our compensation structure is based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations. Typically, individuals are hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role. Compensation decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, considering the unique facts and circumstances of each applicant.

Additionally, full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in AILA's comprehensive benefits program, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, an employee assistance program, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 3 months of employment, generous paid time off, paid parental leave, professional development opportunities, and employer-paid life insurance and disability benefits.

Application Process

To ensure a complete application, all candidates must submit the required materials, including a resume and cover letter, through our application portal. As part of our interview process, candidates may be asked to participate in virtual interviews, which will require on-camera presence.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible interview experience. If you require accommodations due to a disability or sincerely held religious beliefs—such as an alternative format or assistance during the interview—please let us know in advance, and we will make every effort to support your needs.

Eligibility to Work

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, we are required to hire only individuals who are authorized to work in the United States. Applicants selected for employment will need to provide documentation verifying their eligibility to work in the U.S. without the need for employer sponsorship. AILA participates in E-Verify to confirm work authorization. For more information on E-Verify, please visit dhs.gov/E-Verify.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The American Immigration Lawyers Association ("AILA") is an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

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Policy and Practice Associate/Counsel