Headquartered in downtown Washington, DC, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is an organization comprised of nearly 17,000 individual attorney members who practice and teach immigration law. For our members, we provide continuing legal education, information, advocacy, professional services, and expertise. Founded in 1946, 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 enhance the professional development of its members.

Department Summary

The Government Relations (GR) team advocates for immigration-related legislative, regulatory, and policy reforms before Congress and the executive branch, consistent with AILA’s principles and priorities. The GR team tracks the development of law, policy, and practice and prepares and shares resources and information with nearly 17,000 AILA members. 

Position Summary

The Government Relations Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting AILA’s advocacy, policy, and political engagement efforts. This position provides coordination and administrative support across a range of activities, including monitoring immigration-related legal and policy developments, assisting with congressional and agency advocacy, supporting litigation efforts, and contributing to public-facing materials. The Coordinator also ensures the smooth functioning of department operations through event planning, information management, and member engagement. This is a collaborative role requiring strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment.  

Key Responsibilities

Policy, Practice, and Political Engagement Support - 40% 

• Support AILA staff, leadership, and committees to identify and monitor emerging legal issues in immigration policy 
• Support AILA activities related to congressional and administrative advocacy and AILA’s political engagement and campaign activities.  
• Coordinate and support the drafting of policy documents, practice resources, and other public-facing materials as needed 
• Support the drafting of correspondence to Congress and the Executive Branch, including grassroots advocacy efforts 
• Support Grassroots Associate in the implementation of National Day of Action, Citizenship Day, and other member advocacy initiatives 
• Work with AILA Benefits Policy Litigator to research issues and collect examples for litigation development, track deadlines, and support court filings  

Administrative Support - 40% 

• Organize internal and external engagement meetings and events, set agendas, take notes, and plans logistics 
• Assist staff and members with completing financial reimbursements and reports 
• Maintain and manage key department systems for calendaring and project management, including major events such as the Annual Conference 
• Manage department electronic “library” and file system   

Online Content and Member Support - 20% 

• Monitor and respond to AILA member inquiries, providing support and information as needed  
• Manage and update member databases, ensuring data accuracy and consistency  
• Assist in developing and monitoring member outreach initiatives, including calls for cases, questions, and examples related to advocacy efforts   
• Post work products on the website in collaboration with the Content Specialist and the Marketing and Communications Departments  

Remote – The role is eligible for Remote work

Our Remote Work Strategy is designed to ensure connection while minimizing costs and inconvenience. Talent residing within 50 miles of our National Office, located in Washington, D.C., located in the nation’s capital, will be given preference. For roles outside this, we seek candidates within 50 miles of a major airport. This strategy helps us enhance collaboration, optimize travel costs, and strengthen in-person engagement while ensuring we remain cost-effective and mission-driven. Candidates outside these areas may be considered on a case-by-case basis based on role requirements and organizational needs.

This role requires maintaining a professional demeanor in a hybrid/office work setting. Responsibilities include extended periods of sitting at a desk, frequent use of a PC workstation for prolonged hours, occasional verbal communication with team members and stakeholders via virtual platforms, and the possibility of lifting or moving items up to 25 pounds, though this is not likely to be a frequent requirement.

Requirements

Required: 

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, political science, law, or a related field, or equivalent work experience 
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in government relations, advocacy, public policy, or legal support 
• Familiarity with legislative and regulatory processes, particularly in the context of immigration, administrative law, or public interest advocacy 
• Strong research, writing, and editing skills, with the ability to translate complex policy issues into accessible materials 
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to track multiple deadlines and manage logistics for meetings and events 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and comfort learning new systems (e.g., project management tools, advocacy platforms, CRM/database tools) 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, remote-first environment 
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and attention to detail 

Preferred: 

• Experience working in or with a nonprofit, association, law firm, or advocacy organization 
• Familiarity with immigration law, benefits litigation, or policy issues impacting immigrant communities 
• Experience supporting senior staff, volunteer committees, or coalitions 
• Prior exposure to grassroots advocacy or political engagement efforts 
• Comfort engaging with members, volunteers, and external stakeholders 

Occasional travel is required related to job responsibilities. Participation in the AILA annual conference and quarterly in-person board meetings is a job requirement. This travel could involve both domestic and international destinations, with overnight stays and weekend events included.

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.

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.