Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), Northern California
Application Deadline: August 29, 2025
The Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA) is seeking rising 3Ls to sponsor for the Equal Justice Works (EJW) and Skadden Fellowship programs for projects beginning in Fall 2026. We welcome applicants who are passionate about immigrant rights and interested in advancing innovative, justice-centered legal services for underserved communities.
About IIBA
Founded in 1918, IIBA is the largest nonprofit provider of immigration legal services in the San Francisco Bay Area. Each year, we serve more than 10,000 immigrants and their families through high-quality, low-cost legal services and community education. IIBA is deeply committed to equity, immigrant empowerment, and building long-term stability for our clients.
Preferred Focus Area: Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
For the 2026 fellowship cycle, IIBA is especially interested in sponsoring a fellow whose project focuses on obtaining state court predicate orders for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Expanding our capacity to represent clients through the entire SIJS process—from family or probate court predicate orders to USCIS applications and removal defense—is a strategic priority.
We believe a fellowship focused on the SIJS predicate order piece would fill a critical service gap and create lasting impact for unaccompanied and vulnerable immigrant youth across Northern California.
Other Eligible Fellowship Project Areas
While our top priority is SIJS predicate work, we also welcome fellowship proposals that align with IIBA’s broader mission, including:
- Removal defense for asylum seekers, unaccompanied minors, and others
- Legal services for survivors of domestic violence, trafficking, or other crimes (VAWA, U visas)
- Naturalization and permanent residency access for low-income immigrants
- Community-based immigration advocacy and outreach in under-resourced regions
Ideal Candidate
- Rising 3L (graduating May 2026)
- Deep commitment to immigrant rights and public interest law
- Strong legal research, writing, and interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Experience in immigration law or related areas strongly preferred
- Spanish fluency is highly preferred
Fellowship Support from IIBA
Selected candidates will receive:
- Experienced mentorship and proposal development support
- Project guidance tailored to fellowship sponsor priorities (Skadden, EJW)
- Access to IIBA’s infrastructure and partnerships
- A collaborative team environment and commitment to your professional growth
Key Dates
- Deadline to Apply for IIBA Sponsorship: August 29, 2025
- EJW Fellowship Proposal Deadline: September 18, 2025
- Skadden Fellowship Proposal Deadline: September 19, 2025
How to Apply
Please submit the following materials by August 22, 2025 to Valentina Ozbek at vozbek@iibayarea.org and cc Catherine Seitz at cseitz@iibayarea.org with the subject line: “Fellowship Sponsorship Application – [Your Name]”
- Resume
- Cover letter detailing your proposed project idea and why IIBA is the right host
- Writing sample (5–10 pages)
We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and those with lived experience in immigrant communities to apply