Immigration 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: IRC's Immigration Legal Services Department in Silver Spring, Maryland, provides high quality, low-cost immigration services, including filing applications for adjustment of status (i.e., green cards), work authorization, naturalization, and family reunification for a broad range of clients.

Responsibilities:

· Responsible for going through client immigration documents and assisting clients with requirements for consultations and application sessions with legal staff.

· Answer client questions regarding immigration services, and, when necessary, refer clients to the appropriate IRC staff member.

· General administrative support, including tracking, filing, and mailing relevant documents, applications, and notices of action.

· Under the guidance of the supervising Immigration Services Manager, assist in putting client information updates in Lolly Law database.

· Assist clients with document translation, authentication, presentation and completion.

· Provide special assistance to clients with particular needs.

· Promote the IRC’s immigration department through online and local networks.

· Research immigration issues, polices and programs

· Build partnerships with local agencies to improve systems of providing immigration services.

Learning Objectives:

· Learn about immigration services available to newcomers.

· Gain experience in online databases such as Lolly Law and application processing.

· Experience working in outreach to support building partnerships.

Qualifications:

· Working towards a college degree related to international relief, humanitarian work or refugee law related subjects. Must be current student or within 12 months of schooling.*

· Passion to work with limited-English speaking refugees (second language proficiency a plus, Spanish strongly preferred, also seeking French, Dari, and Pashto)

· Interest and/or work experience on U.S Immigration law and outreach knowledge (Prior experience in immigration is a plus).

· Excellent research, language, database management, and record keeping skills.

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 Spring 2027 semester and requires a minimum commitment of 4 months and 30 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required. Overall ability to work in person is preferred.

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.