JOB POSTING: Workers’ Rights Staff Attorney

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1986. CHIRLA is a California leader with national impact made of diverse immigrant families and individuals who act as agents of social change to achieve a world with freedom of mobility, full human rights, and true participatory democracy. CHIRLA organizes and serves individuals, institutions, and coalitions to build power, transform public opinions, and change policies to achieve full human, civil and labor rights. Guided by power, love, and vision of our community, CHIRLA embraces and drives progressive social change.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) is seeking a Staff Attorney to join the Workers’ Rights and Labor Legal Services Department (WRD). The types and volume of cases assigned will reflect the needs of clients across the department. The Staff Attorney will work on matters at the intersection of immigration and employment law, which may include wage theft, retaliation, discrimination, unfair immigration-related labor practices, employment authorization reverification, labor-based immigration relief, and related issues.

Responsibilities include providing regular legal consultations and screenings to prospective clients by phone or in person, including through triage and legal clinics as needed. The WRD Staff Attorney will collaborate with teammates and senior staff to assess available forms of relief and determine the most appropriate way to serve each potential client.

The Staff Attorney will maintain a caseload, with support and supervision from senior staff, and represent clients in filing labor complaints with appropriate government agencies. Depending on the matter and the attorney’s experience, representation may include conference calls, settlement conferences, mediation sessions, administrative hearings, and other legal proceedings. The Staff Attorney will also assess potential labor-based immigration relief as needed and may assist clients with applications for labor-based immigration benefits. In wage theft matters, the Staff Attorney will conduct wage and damages analyses as needed to determine amounts owed and other potential remedies. As the department expands, the Staff Attorney may receive training and opportunities to assist with additional areas of workers’ rights advocacy and legal services.

The WRD Staff Attorney will provide effective, responsive, compassionate, and efficient legal services and conduct Know Your Rights trainings and other public education activities as needed.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Employment and Immigration Law Services:

Responsible for maintaining their own caseload and for drafting and revising any documents needed to address a client’s labor and immigration issues, including but not limited to demand letters, legal memos or briefs, labor complaints, settlement offers, leave request letters, applications, certification requests, etc.
Responsible for communicating and/or providing reminders of deadlines and/or case issues to supervisors, colleagues, and WRD staff as needed to ensure matters are addressed properly and efficiently.
Responsible for communicating directly with clients, informing them of deadlines, collecting, analyzing, and organizing evidence, preparing and submitting claims, and drafting documents.
Responsible for communicating directly with labor agencies as needed, as well as with opposing counsel.
Screen potential clients for labor issues such as wage theft, discrimination, retaliation, and other labor violations.
Screen potential clients for potential labor and immigration relief relevant to their circumstances and use that information to assess available legal options and potential eligibility for relief.
Communicate to potential clients an assessment or evaluation of their labor and/or immigration cases or circumstances, including but not limited to any rights these individuals possess, any requirements these individuals must meet, where to file complaints if WRD is unable to assist, and any deadlines they must comply with.
Collaborate with attorneys, paralegals, and other staff to provide representation to clients with cases involving issues such as criminal history, immigration law violations, family law issues, labor issues, current or previous removal proceedings, appeals, or other issues related to their immigration and labor matters as needed.
Work effectively with competing priorities and time-sensitive deadlines.
Stay up to date with changes in employment and immigration law, as well as other developments, to provide clients with effective and informed representation.
Make appropriate referrals for employment and immigration law services beyond the scope of the programs or one’s own competencies, and for other social service needs.
Assume caseload of any departing staff member as needed, with support and supervision from senior staff.

Customer Service and Community Outreach:

Communicate and interact with clients with professionalism, respect, compassion, and sensitivity to their life circumstances and potential or actual trauma that they may have experienced.
Maintain regular communication with clients and provide them with updates regarding their cases no later than 90 days after the last case update provided to them.
Respond to client communications or inquiries no later than within 48-72 hours of receipt of a client (s) message.
Participate in-person legal screening events, community presentations, meetings, and other special events as scheduled on occasional weekends. For example, participation may be required on Saturday mornings or evenings for special events as scheduled.
Lead Know Your Rights training as needed, including travel to locations outside your home office, primarily throughout Los Angeles and Orange Counties, while remaining available to travel to other regions as needed.
Participate in media interviews or other public education opportunities related to emerging issues, as appropriate.
Support CHIRLA’s fundraising goals including annual fundraising drive and GALA activities.

Report Obligations and Program Efficiency:

Update case notes with any developments or client interactions within 48-72 hours to provide accurate and up to date information for other staff to rely on in a timely manner.
Update and maintain current databases, tracking sheets or other documents mandated by policies and procedures issued by CHIRLA or the Workers’ Rights and Labor Legal Services department.
Work closely and diligently with all other staff to represent clients ethically, efficiently and properly to maximize client outcomes and deliverable requirements for funders.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as necessary to address urgent issues or priorities either within their department, or for CHIRLA as assigned by the Department Director.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:
Required

Active attorney license and good standing with a State Bar of California
A strong desire to expand knowledge and develop skills in both employment and immigration law.
Demonstrated commitment to social justice, progressive social change, empowering communities' rights, and justice.
A high level of integrity and the ability to maintain confidentiality
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Fluency or high proficiency in the Spanish language and/or other languages that would allow communication with existing, new or potential clients is required as the job requires extensive legal counseling and representation with client who primarily speak languages other than English.
Must be able to lift 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or amount of force constantly to move objects.
Must be flexible to work early in the morning, evenings and Saturdays during clinical/consultations times if needed.

Preferred

Engaging communication skills that can effectively and independently communicate with diverse audiences and network collaboratively among a variety of stakeholder groups
Excellent creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and analytical skills
Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail
Intermediate spreadsheet skills or willingness to learn.
Experience with providing direct services to the community, ideally in a nonprofit setting
Experience working with survivors of trauma, victims of violence, and human trafficking
Experience working with underserved and diverse populations
Ability to be comfortable in a collaborative, consultative environment.
Proficient with Word, Excel, Power Point and other Microsoft Suite or other software utilized by CHIRLA.
Prior experience practicing employment and/or immigration law is preferred but not required.

Desired Traits or Characteristic

Highly self-motivated, creative, takes initiative, ability to learn quickly, flexible, and able to work as part of an interdisciplinary team of legal staff.
Demonstrated experience working effectively as part of a team and with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, both in person and within a remote work environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective and positive working relationships within their team, their department, and throughout the organization.
Demonstrated ability to be proactive in the approach to assigned responsibilities, completing tasks and/or using technology and systems to maximize efficiencies.
Strong commitment to CHIRLA’s mission of empowering low-income community groups and immigrants

_________________________________________________________________________________________

JOB TITLE: Workers’ Rights Staff Attorney

Salary & Benefits: $78,000 range based on experience
CHIRLA offers a competitive salary based on qualifications and an excellent benefit package, which includes generous time off benefits, 401K Plan, health, dental and vision plans.

FLSA Classification: Exempt/Hourly, full-time regular

Classification: CHIRLA recognizes a staff bargaining unit affiliated with AFSCME Local 4501. This position is included in CHIRLA’s bargaining unit and covered under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.

REPORTS TO: Director of Worker Rights & Labor Legal Services

CLOSING DATE OF THIS POSITION: Position will remain open until filled

LOCATION: San Juan Capistrano Office

CHIRLA is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of merit and
administers all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, appointment, promotion,
compensation, benefits, transfers, training and educational opportunities without regard to pregnancy,
childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information as defined by the Genetic Information
Nondiscrimination Act, race, religion or religious creed, color, gender, gender identity or expression,
national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, registered
domestic partner status, age (40 or older), sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status, pregnancy or pregnancy
related disability, military or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state or local law or
ordinance or regulation. All such discrimination is unlawful. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination
based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics or is associated with a person who
has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics. All such discrimination is unlawful.

Open Positions are available at: www.CHIRLA.org/Career Center use link - Career Center - The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights

All Applicants will be required to complete an Application for Employment prior to any scheduled interview.

About the company

CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights) organizes and advocates for immigrant communities in California with a national influence. It works by mobilizing diverse immigrant families and individuals to act as agents of social change, focusing on policy advocacy, education, and community organizing to advance freedom of mobility, full human rights, and participatory democracy. CHIRLA differentiates itself through its grassroots coalitions and broad national impact, emphasizing inclusion, advocacy, and rights for immigrants rather than generic services. Its goal is to build a just society that fully includes immigrants and protects their rights.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

Grant

Total Funding

$130K

Headquarters

Los Angeles, California

Founded

1986

Get referred to CHIRLA

See people who can refer or advise you

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

On July 23, 2026, CHIRLA joined a federal lawsuit challenging USCIS SIJS fees.
On July 2026, CHIRLA backed Assembly Bill 2624, expanding protection for immigrant aid workers.
Government grants financed 67.9% of revenue through June 2025, funding a large operating base.

What critics are saying

On July 16, 2026, watchdogs alleged CHIRLA fused taxpayer grants with partisan mobilization.
On August 11, 2026, appeals judges restored expedited removal against CHIRLA plaintiffs.
A 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), and Mexico-network investigation could trigger funding cuts and IRS action.

What makes CHIRLA unique

CHIRLA blends legal aid, naturalization, litigation, and civic engagement across 2026 operations.
Its Immigrant Political Power Project targets new citizens and English learners from scratch.
CHIRLA Mexico extends the organization into migrant-preparation work across Tapachula, Mexico City, and Tijuana.

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Growth & Insights and Company News

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Santa Monica Daily Press

Sep 22nd, 2026

LA county launches 'Know Your Rights' campaign for youth.

LA county launches 'Know Your Rights' campaign for youth. Published: September 22, 2026, 11:59 am Last updated: September 22, 2026, 11:58 am The Los Angeles County Department of Youth Development has launched "LA Youth: Know Your Rights," a countywide education campaign that gives young people tools to understand and exercise their rights during protests, walkouts and encounters with law enforcement, school security or immigration authorities. The campaign stems from a July 2025 motion, "Empowering Youth Through Know Your Rights Education for Civic Engagement," authored by Supervisors Hilda Solis and Janice Hahn. It responds to concerns about marginalized youth amid heightened immigration enforcement, ICE raids and the "No Kings" movement. "DYD's core mission is to transition away from punishment-centered systems and instead invest deeply in care, opportunity, and youth-led empowerment," said DYD Director David J. Carroll. "This campaign meets young leaders exactly where they are - in community spaces, and online." "As families continue to navigate fear, uncertainty and shifting federal policies, it is critical that young people have the information they need to stay safe and informed," said Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. She said the toolkit reflects the county's commitment to equipping young Angelenos to understand their constitutional rights and remain civically engaged. Hahn said the campaign would help young people stand up for their communities and "make it home safely." A focal point is the KYR Youth Toolkit, a digitally accessible guide offering advice on protesting safely and understanding First Amendment rights; knowing what to do if stopped by police, school security or federal immigration agents; and legal protections, emergency planning and local resources for undocumented and mixed-status youth and families. "Young people shouldn't have to learn about their rights the hard way," said Public Defender Ricardo Garcia. "Knowing your rights isn't just about knowing the law, it's about knowing your power." The campaign included five youth workshops held across all county regions in summer 2026, a collaboration among DYD, the Public Defender's Office, the Alternate Public Defender's Office and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. The workshops trained 144 youth on their constitutional rights during protests, walkouts and law enforcement encounters. Young people, educators, parents and advocates can access the toolkit and connect with free legal and immigrant support resources at dyd.lacounty.gov/kyr. Edited by SMDP Staff

The Daily Signal

Jul 16th, 2026

Taxpayer-Funded immigration group operates 'Political Power Project' to 'build a voter base from scratch'

Taxpayer-Funded immigration group operates 'Political Power Project' to 'build a voter base from scratch' - July 16, 2026 Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Director Angelica Salas on July 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (Carlin Stiehl/Los Angeles Times/Getty Images) The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, a Los Angeles-based immigration nonprofit that receives millions in government funding, is accused of establishing an immigration-to-elections pipeline across three entities, according to one state watchdog. CHIRLA maintains that the entities are separate. A CHIRLA organization in Mexico trains migrants planning to come to the U.S., while CHIRLA provides legal and naturalization services to immigrants in California, and its action arm endorses Democrat candidates. Meanwhile, CHIRLA and its action arm, CHIRLA Action Fund, partner on an "Immigrant Political Power Project" that seeks to build a voter base. According to its website, the Immigrant Political Power Project "targets new citizens, Latinos, and English learners to build a voter base from scratch, with enough power to sway state politics." The project, staffed by "five immigrant women of color," utilizes "teams of paid/volunteer canvassers/phone bankers, ranging in status from undocumented to legal permanent residents." The project spreads the message that "immigrants must participate in EVERY election." All the while, CHIRLA received more than two-thirds of its revenue from government grants in a four-year period from June 2021 through June 2025. Jenny Rae Le Roux, director of the CAL DOGE project established by Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton, cried foul. "It defies common sense that taxpayers would fund an organization that converts taxpayer funds into a political activist network for California Democrats, for the explicit benefit of [Los Angeles Mayor] Karen Bass and [Democrat governor nominee] Xavier Becerra," Le Roux, who is also a Republican candidate for Congress in California's 47th Congressional District, told the Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday. "The millions of dollars in public funding should be cut off, and a full investigation into the blurred 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) lines as well as the use of undocumented workers for political organizing is in order," she added. A spokesperson for CHIRLA said that the various entities are separate. "CHIRLA Action Fund, CHIRLA, and CHIRLA Mexico are all distinct legal entities," Jorge-Mario Cabrera, CHIRLA's director of communications, told the Daily Signal in a statement Tuesday. "While they share a mission of a just, inclusive society where immigrants are fully embraced, they are legally distinct entities with separate funding sources and activities. These different entities are fully compliant with rules set by the Internal Revenue Service and relevant election laws." What is CHIRLA? CHIRLA, an immigration group founded in 1986, aims to "advance the human and civil rights of immigrants and refugees." Cabrera said CHIRLA, which is exempt from taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, "does not engage in partisan political or electoral activities." CHIRLA Action Fund, a separate 501(c)(4) entity, can engage in partisan electoral activity, and Cabrera said it endorses candidates and legislation that aim to "create a just society, fully inclusive of immigrants." CHIRLA and CHIRLA Action Fund launched a "joint initiative" called the Immigrant Political Power Project, which Cabrera said aims "to educate voters and promote democratic civic participation." CHIRLA's website also has a page dedicated to efforts in Mexico. Cabrera told the Daily Signal that CHIRLA Mexico "is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization established in Mexico operating under Mexican law." The web page for CHIRLA Mexico mentions offices in Tapachula, Mexico City, and Tijuana. It states that the group's effort involves organizing seminars to prepare migrants for an opportunity to enter the U.S. legally. California DOGE claims this involves a "civic pipeline" from immigration legal services to naturalization to voter registration to political mobilization. Cabrera told the Daily Signal that "CHIRLA does not assist non-citizens in voting in state or federal elections as they are prohibited from participating by law." "CHIRLA does provide resources and support to all immigrants, regardless of their legal status, ensuring they have access to necessary information, legal assistance, and community support," he added. Taxpayer funding. CHIRLA has received more than two-thirds of its revenue from government grants, according to IRS filings covering the period from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2025. The $80.7 million it reported receiving from taxpayers amounted to 67.9% of its $118.8 million in revenue for those four years. CHIRLA's website states that Gov. Gavin Newsom designated CHIRLA as one of 12 organizations to administer a program designating $175 million in COVID-19 relief aid for "undocumented immigrants." The Department of Homeland Security awarded CHIRLA $950,000 across three grants under President Joe Biden. Two of the grants, awarded in October 2022 and October 2023, involved "citizenship education and training." The Los Angeles City Council District 13 Public Benefit Trust gave CHIRLA $195,626 on May 5 for "supplies & other services." Hugo Soto-Martínez, who represents District 13 in the Los Angeles City Council and who has been endorsed by CHIRLA Action Fund, told the Daily Signal he is "proud" to support CHIRLA. "Our office is proud to support CHIRLA's work assisting Los Angeles families being torn apart by inhumane federal immigration policies, and any suggestion that supporting those families constitutes anything other than representing the interests of our constituents is false and unsupported by any facts or evidence," Councilmember Soto-Martínez said in a statement Tuesday. "CHIRLA undergoes regular, independent audits of our private and public funding," Cabrera, the organization's communications director, told the Daily Signal. He mentioned that CHIRLA received California grants to fund naturalization services, renewals of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, visa services, family reunification services, and more. He also mentioned funding for "education and outreach programs on anti-hate campaigns, water and heat advisories, and COVID-19 vaccine access and education." "Most of the funds that CHIRLA has received were subcontracted to 88 nonprofit organizations in LA County," Cabrera added. Becerra endorsement. CHIRLA Action Fund endorsed Xavier Becerra, the Democrat candidate for governor, on April 13, and it endorsed Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass for reelection six days later. CHIRLA Action Fund endorsed Gavin Newsom for governor in 2018 and 2022. Newsom oversaw the state government, which awarded CHIRLA millions. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, deputy director of communications for the governor's office, told the Daily Signal that any suggestion that CHIRLA Action Fund's endorsement of Newsom had any connection to the grants later awarded to CHIRLA is "false." "California awards grants to qualified organizations to provide specific public services - not to support political activity or campaign work," Crofts-Pelayo said. "Organizations that receive state funded grants must comply with all applicable federal and state laws, and the terms of their grants." The campaigns for Becerra and Bass did not respond to a request for comment by publication time. Tyler O'Neil | Senior Investigative Reporter

Santa Maria California News Media Inc.

May 4th, 2026

A push to shield immigrant aid workers is raising 1st Amendment concerns.

A push to shield immigrant aid workers is raising 1st Amendment concerns. * Katie King, Los Angeles Times * 7 hrs ago SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The debate over immigration issues has reached a fever pitch nationwide, and Angelica Salas said it's putting her employees at risk. Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, said her staff experiences harassment and death threats. "They ask themselves, what if someone who disagrees with our work can find where I live, will my family be safe?" Salas said, addressing state lawmakers at a recent legislative hearing. "People begin to self-censor; they step away from their work and some leave the field entirely." Salas was speaking in support of Assembly Bill 2624, which would provide privacy protections for those facing harassment for working or volunteering with organizations that offer legal and humanitarian aid to immigrants. The bill would create an address confidentiality program, like the one already offered to reproductive healthcare workers, and prohibit people and businesses from selling or posting images or personal information about the protected individuals on the internet. The measure has drawn ire from Republicans, who argue it could have a chilling effect on free speech and the media. Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, R-San Diego, dubbed it the "Stop Nick Shirley Act" and said it would prevent right-wing social media influencers like Shirley from conducting immigrant-related investigations in California. Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Alameda, who authored the legislation, said the proposed law would help keep people safe - but several 1st Amendment experts this week told The Times the bill could have unintended consequences. "There could be grounds for concern," said Jason Shepard, a media law and communications professor at California State Fullerton. "It reflects a legitimate and important state interest in protecting people from harassment and threats. But at the same time, this bill punishes the publication of information." The legislation defines "personal information" as anything that identifies, describes or relates to the protected individuals, including their names, addresses, telephone numbers, physical descriptions, driver's licenses, financial information, license plate numbers and places of employment. Shepard said the potential new law could be applied unevenly, and the language could have a chilling effect on investigative journalism. Given the polarized political environment, Shepard said the legislation also could prompt other groups to request similar protections, as those working in a range of professions are facing increasingly heated rhetoric or attacks. "This is not unique to people who are working in immigration support services; this really could apply to anybody engaged in public debate today," he said. Carolyn Iodice, the policy director for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, known as FIRE, said the organization has noted an uptick in laws nationwide implementing privacy protections for those in certain professions. She pointed to a statute enacted a few years ago in New Jersey that protects the addresses of judges, prosecutors and police officers. The law was used in 2023 to block an editor with New Brunswick Today from publishing an article about the police chief living two hours outside of the city. "It was obviously newsworthy, but this officer was able to wield the law against this journalist, and that is the kind of thing we are worried about," Iodice said. "When you think about handing what could be a huge number of people the ability to just block anything from being posted about them online - it could easily be abused." David Loy, the legal director for the nonpartisan First Amendment Coalition, said the measure would censor the free speech of all citizens, not just those who defamed or threatened immigrant aid workers. "Someone might have a legitimate dispute with them and wants to refer to it online," he said. "But they could then basically silence [that person] from referring to them on a Yelp review or Facebook posts that has nothing to do with threatening them - and that is going way beyond the narrow exceptions of the 1st Amendment." Loy said the coalition reached out to Bonta's office and hopes to help tweak the bill. Meanwhile, the legislation continues to face scrutiny from Republicans. "We exposed CA Democrats for the 'Stop Nick Shirley' Act that silences citizen journalists who expose their fraud and corruption," DiMaio wrote this week on social media. Shirley released a viral video last year alleging fraud in Somali-run immigrant daycare centers in Minneapolis. He recently shared videos of himself in Sacramento confronting Democrats who support Bonta's bill. "The enemy is truly within," Shirley wrote on Instagram. "When our politicians would rather protect fraudsters and illegal migrants, it's time for us to stand up or face mass oppression from the traitors." Bonta dismissed the assertion that the bill is intended to deter journalists, stating in a news release that "right-wing agitators" and "ineffective legislators" were intentionally spreading misinformation. Bonta spokesperson Daniel McGreevy said the bill has a straightforward goal of protecting immigrant service providers. He said the office is working to refine the legislation to address concerns and welcomes good-faith dialogue. The bill is progressing through the state Legislature and most recently was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. (0 Ratings)

Fox News

Jun 11th, 2025

Senator launches investigation into Democratic org over potential support for LA rioters

President Donald Trump already cut federal funding to CHIRLA, which received $750,000 from Biden administration.

Remezcla

Apr 16th, 2025

Kids of Immigrants Teams Up With CHIRLA To Support Immigration Advocacy

Los Angeles-based brand Kids of Immigrants has partnered with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to release a new capsule collection today (April 16) that celebrates and supports immigrant communities.

CHIRLA

Workers’ Rights Staff Attorney

About the job