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Entry Level Immigration Attorney Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Associate Attorney

Charlotte, NC ยท On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Associate Attorney (Entry-Level) - Immigration Location: Charlotte, North Carolina Firm: The Law Office of Theodore A. Maloney, PLLC Position Overview The Law Office of Theodore A. Maloney, PLLC is ...

Work directly with immigration attorneys to craft unique, narrative driven, but highly technical O ... Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full-time Job function Legal Industries Law Practice #J ...

Associate Attorney

Irving, TX ยท On-site +1

$90K - $100K/yr

Saenz-Garcia Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Attorney to join our growing immigration practice. This role is designed for both entry-level attorneys (Associate Attorney ...

Saenz-Garcia Law, PLLC is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Associate Attorney to join our growing immigration practice. This role is designed for both entry-level attorneys (Associate Attorney ...

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Entry Level Immigration Attorney information

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$38.5K

$90.2K

$146.5K

How much do entry level immigration attorney jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level immigration attorney in the United States is $90,223.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,500.00 and $97,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does an Entry Level Immigration Attorney Do?

Entry-level immigration attorneys meet with clients and provide information on laws surrounding citizenship, visas, customs, and other immigration issues. As an entry-level attorney, research is one of your main duties. You also prepare and develop legal documents for clients and senior attorneys. Assisting senior attorneys in court as an associate, handling the paperwork, and providing client care are also critical responsibilities. You need exceptional organizational skills, as you must analyze large amounts of data and write articulate and accurate briefs on your findings. You travel to various locations to meet with clients and broker deals with prosecuting attorneys and judges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Immigration Attorney, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Immigration Attorney, you need a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, bar admission, and a solid understanding of immigration law and legal research. Familiarity with case management software, legal databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and document preparation tools is typically required. Strong communication, cultural sensitivity, and attention to detail are crucial soft skills for building client trust and managing complex cases. These skills and qualifications ensure effective advocacy, compliance with regulations, and successful outcomes for clients navigating the immigration process.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level immigration attorneys, and how can they overcome them?

Entry level immigration attorneys often encounter challenges such as managing a high caseload, navigating complex and evolving immigration laws, and communicating effectively with clients from diverse backgrounds. To overcome these, it's important to stay organized, seek mentorship from more experienced attorneys, and actively participate in professional development opportunities. Building strong communication skills and cultural competence will also help foster trust with clients and improve case outcomes. Many law firms and non-profit organizations provide structured training and resources to support new attorneys in adapting to these challenges.

What is the difference between Entry Level Immigration Attorney vs Paralegal in Immigration Law?

AspectEntry Level Immigration AttorneyParalegal in Immigration Law
CredentialsJuris Doctor (JD), State Bar Admission (or eligibility)Associate degree or paralegal certification
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, government agencies, NGOsLaw firms, legal departments, immigration clinics
ResponsibilitiesLegal research, client consultations, preparing legal documents, representing clientsDrafting forms, organizing case files, conducting research, supporting attorneys

Entry Level Immigration Attorneys and Paralegals in Immigration Law both work within the legal field, often in similar environments. Attorneys handle legal strategies and client representation, requiring a law degree and bar admission. Paralegals support attorneys with case preparation and document management, typically with a paralegal certification. While their roles overlap in research and document handling, attorneys have broader responsibilities including legal advice and court appearances.

What cities are hiring for Entry Level Immigration Attorney jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Immigration Attorney job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Immigration Attorney jobs? The most popular types of Immigration Attorney jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Immigration Attorney jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Immigration Attorney jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Immigration Attorney jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Immigration Attorney jobs are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Immigration Attorney job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, 67% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 11% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $90,223 per year, or $43.4 per hour.

Immigration Attorney

Defender Association of Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA โ€ข On-site

$73K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 18 days ago


Job description

Make a difference! Become a Defender!

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is seeking an experienced, organized and dedicated immigration attorney to join our Community Defense Unit. This unit provides direct legal services in immigration law matters through the representation of clients in immigration court hearings, appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and Federal Court, and filings with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State. The Community Defense Unit also provides immigration analysis and advice to our attorneys for cases involving noncitizen criminal defendants. In addition, the Community Defense Unit serves as an immigration resource for all members of our staff. The Immigration Attorney must have a demonstrated commitment to defending and promoting the rights of immigrants as well as strong research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills.


What Youโ€™ll Do

  • Represent clients in removal proceedings before EOIR Immigration Courts, Board of Immigration Appeals, and Federal Court
  • Represent clients at interviews before USCIS, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  • Conduct research and prepare legal memos and briefs for immigration clients, including affirmative filings with USCIS, CPT, ICE and U.S. Department of State
  • Conduct immigration interviews and consultations, including interviews of clients in custody
  • Collect and Maintain data related to direct representation of clients in immigration law matters


Funding Contingent Responsibilities:

  • Consult directly with Defender Association trial attorneys and staff representing immigration clients in criminal court
  • Conduct in-house trainings on immigration issues for Defender Association staff
  • Serve as an office resource for immigration-related questions


What Youโ€™ll Need

  • Juris Doctorate Degree required; Admission to PA Bar required.
  • Admission to practice in the Federal Courts required.
  • At least three (3) years of experience representing individuals in removal proceedings and before USCIS, preferred.
  • Fluency in Spanish, preferred.
  • Knowledge and familiarity with statutes, procedures, caselaw, and best practices related to immigration representation, required.
  • Excellent research, writing, and courtroom advocacy skills.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and a capacity and desire to work collaboratively within interdisciplinary teams
  • Strong organizational skills to manage a high-volume, fast-paced legal practice environment
  • Travel to local, state, and federal courtrooms and prisons, as needed

Salary

  • Entry-Level (Recent Graduate): $73,000 per year.
  • Experience Credit: We value your background. The base rate increases by $1,500 for each year of relevant post-bar experience (including legal aid, judicial clerkships, and immigration law).

Benefits & Perks

  • Generous and rich benefits plan including choice of affordable medical plans, and employer paid: dental, vision, life insurance, long term disability insurance and professional liability insurance
  • Substantial paid time off- close to 35 days off plus all federal holidays
  • Retirement Savings Employer Match
  • Paid eight weeks of parental leave
  • Free Septa Anywhere Key Card
  • Public Loan Forgiveness Eligible Employer
  • Impactful mission driven work
  • Wellness Benefits
  • Ongoing Training and Development of You

This position as an Immigration Attorney is funded by a sub-award contract with Nationalities Services Center and under its terms, the positionโ€™s scope of work is exclusively related to those duties specified in major responsibilities. The funding, and thus this position ends on June 30, 2027, unless the Defenders gets continued funding. While we hope that the funding continues beyond that date, we cannot guarantee employment past that date. If funding becomes available from other sources, the Defender further hopes to expand the responsibilities of the immigration attorney to include those specified in the funding contingent responsibility section to ensure a more complete and integrated unit.


Application:

Please submit an online application with detailed cover letter and writing sample (maximum 20 pages)

Who is the Defender Association?

The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. Weโ€™re the communityโ€™s lawyers. The Defender team โ€“ more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff โ€“ make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff with the skills and support they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Come join our team! For more information, go Defenderโ€™s website and follow us @PhillyDefenders (Twitter, IG, Tiktok) and on LinkedIn.




The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.