Children's Legal Services Intern

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Children’s Legal Services (CLS)  Intern will assist CLS staff in providing services to unaccompanied youth who entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian and who face deportation/removal in immigration court proceedings.  

The intern will work closely with CLS staff to assist with case management, monitoring status of immigration court removal proceedings, conduct country conditions factual research to support asylum and other immigration applications, draft immigration application(s) (e.g., Employment Authorization) and provide follow-up communication and other client services which may include supporting clients with research and referrals that the social services navigator is exploring on the client(s)’ behalf. The intern will perform a series of clerical and administrative duties to ensure client files are kept up to date.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist CLS staff in providing services to clients, including setting up consultations and drafting immigration applications under the supervision of an immigration attorney.
• Perform research on various factual, legal and social service issues
• Assist staff with monitoring status of clients’ immigration court removal proceedings
• Assist staff with sorting, scanning and filing documents in case files.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy. 
• Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients.  Respect their beliefs and values. 
• Perform follow-up communication to clients.
• Provide occasional translation and interpretation (if the intern is fluent in written and spoken Spanish).
• Other related duties as assigned.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Intern will learn about U.S. immigration law in the context of unaccompanied minors and youth. 
• Intern will develop problem solving and client services skills
• Intern will learn how to manage client cases within established deadlines

REQUIREMENTS:

• Minimum 15 hours or up to 37.5 per week; preference for those that can work 37.5 hours.
• Undergraduate level studies or equivalent experience in public service community work
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but is not required. 
• Strong desire to help immigrant youth in Maryland
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and have high attention to detail.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Patience, understanding, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
• Adherence to IRC code of conduct, volunteer and workplace policies

This position reports to the Managing Attorney or  other designated Legal Staff Member

TO APPLY
Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter and list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline for applying is 01/04/2027. 

This position is for the Fall semester and requires a minimum commitment of 24 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.

Spring 2027 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on Jan 25th, 2027, from 9:15AM-3:30PM.

We currently offer internships during the following semesters:

Spring: January – May
Summer: June – August
Fall: September – December

Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Spring 2027 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities, contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator Lalah Ehrari [email protected].

*Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to apply. These candidates will be processed as volunteers. 

To protect our clients, the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently, 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients, and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer. 

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.