Assistant United States Attorney (Immigration)

Department of Justice

Wilmington, Delaware Full-time $84,570 – $197,100 Closes Jun 23, 2026

Summary

** The job announcement has re-opened to display the updated salary information. A new application is not needed if a job seeker already applied to the original job announcement. ** This is a TERM position not-to-exceed 4-years, subject to availability of funds. This position may be extended, or made permanent, without further advertising.

Duties

  • The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware is seeking an attorney to serve as an Assistant U.S.
  • Attorney (AUSA) in the Criminal Division.
  • The AUSA's responsibilities will primarily focus on representing the United States in criminal immigration actions brought by the United States.
  • The AUSA will also be expected to work with the Office's Civil Division to represent the United States, its agencies, and employees in immigration-related litigation, including defending habeas corpus, mandamus, and Administrative Procedure Act challenges, and prosecuting affirmative civil immigration enforcement actions in federal district court.
  • The AUSA will also have the opportunity to represent the United States in non-immigration criminal matters commensurate with the AUSAs training and experience.
  • Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
  • Security Requirements: Initial appointment is conditioned upon a satisfactory preemployment adjudication.
  • This includes fingerprint, credit and tax checks, and drug testing.
  • In addition, continued employment is subject to a favorable adjudication of a background investigation.
  • Residency Requirements: Assistant United States Attorneys generally must reside in the district to which he or she is appointed or within 25 miles thereof.
  • See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district-specific information.
  • Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law.

Education

Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree

How You Will Be Evaluated

Evaluation Method: Once your complete application package is received, it will be reviewed to ensure you meet all job requirements. An attorney interview panel will then review all qualified applicants and make recommendations for invitation to interview. You will be notified if selected for an interview. Veterans’ Preference: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring.

Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must indicate their preference in response to the appropriate question in their assessment questionnaire (it is also recommended that information is included in their cover letter or resume) and they must submit supporting documentation (e.g., DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) which verifies their eligibility for preference. Although the “point” system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service-connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more). Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Required Documents

  • You must provide a complete Application Package which includes: – Required: Your responses to the Online Occupational Questionnaire (This is completed automatically during the apply online process). – Required: Your resume cannot exceed two pages – you will be deemed ineligible and receive no further consideration if your resume exceeds two pages – see USAJOBS for formatting requirements.
  • Include relevant employment history as outlined below for each job: Official position title (if Federal, include series/grade), Employer name and contact information, Start and end dates (for full consideration you must include month, day, and year), Indicate full-time or number of hours worked per week if part-time, and A list of duties performed and accomplishments.
  • At least 3 professional references.
  • Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social).
  • Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.
  • You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. – Required, if applicable: To get Veterans' Preference, you must indicate your preference in response to the appropriate question in your assessment questionnaire and you must submit the appropriate supporting documentation.
  • See the "How you will be Evaluated" section for details regarding what is appropriate Veterans' Preference documentation.
  • It is also recommended that you include veterans' preference information in your cover letter or resume.
  • Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.
  • Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.
  • Individuals with targeted/severe disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department's Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position.
  • See list of DPOCs.
  • Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.
  • Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation.
  • Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/).
  • Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S.
  • Trustee's Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  • Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations.
  • However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements.
  • Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
  • All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement.
  • Candidates who have lived outside the United States for two or more of the past five years will likely have difficulty being approved for appointments by the Department Security Staff.
  • The two-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive.
  • Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement.
  • Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees.
  • If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment: Position title; Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee); Agency; and Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

About this role

The Assistant United States Attorney (Immigration) position with the Department of Justice is based in Wilmington, Delaware. ** The job announcement has re-opened to display the updated salary information. The role pays $84,570 to $197,100 per year.

Day to day, the work involves the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Delaware is seeking an attorney to serve as an Assistant U.S. The full list of duties, conditions, and required documents appears in the official announcement linked on this page.

Who should apply

Review the announcement's Qualifications section closely, since it defines exactly what federal legal work experience this Assistant United States Attorney (Immigration) position requires. Match your federal resume directly to the announcement's wording so a reviewer can confirm each requirement in writing. For this Assistant United States Attorney (Immigration) position with the Department of Justice in Wilmington, Delaware, confirm you meet each requirement before applying.

How competitive it is

The posted pay of $84,570 to $197,100 per year places this in a competitive but attainable range for qualified applicants. As an entry or assistant-level position, it is a realistic starting point, and gaining federal status here can open doors to higher-graded roles later. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, it competes within that local market, which can mean lighter competition than major metropolitan postings. The announcement closes on June 23, 2026, and federal postings can close early once enough applications arrive, so applying promptly is wise.

This overview is general guidance from Job Army to help you understand the role. Always read the official announcement for exact duties, qualifications, and requirements before applying.

Job Details

Department Department of Justice
Job Type Full-time
Location Wilmington, Delaware
Salary $84,570 – $197,100
Pay Period Per Year
Closing Date Jun 23, 2026
Posted Jun 18, 2026
Source ID 26-DE-12964942-AUSA
Ready to apply? This application is hosted on the official USAJOBS site.
Apply Now ↗
← Back to all Jobs