Assistant Public Defender, Immigration Specialist

Immigration Attorney

The Harris County Public Defender's Office is a holistic, client-centered office committed to providing high-quality representation to indigent clients. As part of our commitment to comprehensive defense, we seek an experienced immigration attorney to guide attorneys and clients through the immigration consequences of criminal charges and dispositions under Padilla v. Kentucky, ensuring informed and effective advocacy at every stage of representation. This position provides written Padilla advisals to public defenders, court appointed attorneys and private counsel on potential immigration consequences of pending criminal charges, plea offers, and resulting dispositions/convictions. Other duties may include written requests to withdraw/cancel ICE detainers issued against noncitizen clients, advocating with ICE, and jail visits to obtain client information/immigration history. This person will have extensive experience with immigration law and will serve as a resource, lending this expertise to public defenders managing their caseload. The Immigration Attorney will provide training guidance as well as Continuing Legal Education (CLE) instruction to public defenders. The Immigration Attorney will also keep public defenders updated on legislative changes and emerging issues in the field of immigration law. Manages referral system by providing written Padilla advisals to Public Defenders, court-appointed attorneys and private counsel about the potential immigration consequences of criminal offenses and dispositions.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer