Legal Projects Intern

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), is a non-governmental, not-for-profit international organization with a mission to protect the rights and address the needs of persons in migration by advancing fair and humane public policy, facilitating and providing direct professional services, and promoting the full participation of migrants in community life. For over 100 years, we have shaped history with the belief that immigrants strengthen our communities, economy and social fabric through freedom, hard work, and family unity. To learn more about our work, please visit our official website at www.refugees.org.  

OVERVIEW OF TEAM 

USCRI’s Policy & Advocacy (P&A) team supports USCRI’s mission by leading the development of the organization’s positions on international and domestic policy. Through research, policy development, advocacy, and coalition-building, the team works to shape equitable systems, elevate refugee and immigrant voices, and drive lasting change locally, nationally, and globally. P&A works closely with programmatic, international, and communications staff to achieve this mission.  

This position does not entail providing or assisting with direct client services. This position requires partial in-person work in Arlington, Virginia. Part-time and full-time options are available. 

POSITION 

The USCRI Policy & Advocacy Legal Projects Intern will work with the P&A team, assisting with projects that involve tracking domestic and international litigation, researching legal issues, and analyzing immigration and civil rights cases. The candidate must be committed to immigration and human rights issues and be able to conduct research, education, and advocacy activities.  Individuals with lived experience of displacement are especially encouraged to apply. 

While the position is unpaid, the supervisor(s) will provide support if the intern pursues academic credit. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Several internship opportunities are available year-round for students during the Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer terms. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Assist policy analysts by tracking domestic and international litigation, research legal issues, and analyze immigration and civil rights cases;
• Listen to and/or attend court hearings and provide summaries;
• Collaborate with policy analysts on developing litigation and issue trackers, as well as related public education materials; and
• Assist policy analysts with web development/design and audio recording/editing.

Other job-related duties may be assigned as agreed upon by the intern and supervisor(s). 

REQUIREMENTS 

• Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from an undergraduate program, graduate program, or accredited law school;
• Experience with legal analysis, research, writing, and editing;
• Strong written and verbal communication, including the ability to summarize legal and policy issues for diverse audiences;
• Ability to work on new, developing projects;
• Knowledge of Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, SharePoint);
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to effectively collaborate with both lawyers and non-lawyers;
• Dedication to uplifting the voices of refugees, asylees, and other immigrant populations;
• Demonstrated sensitivity and empathy for the experiences of forcibly displaced populations and people of diverse backgrounds;
• Ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with staff and collaborators of diverse backgrounds; and
• Dedication to advocating for human rights, an interest in policies affecting refugee, immigrants, asylum seekers, and displaced people.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS (PREFERRED, BUT NOT REQUIRED) 

• Experience with web development and/or design;
• Experience with audio editing and/or podcast production; and
• Experience with media marketing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

• Ability to type, read, and listen or to use adaptive typing, reading, and listening programs.
• Use of repetitive motion, prolonged periods of sitting and standing, and sustained visual and mental applications and demands.
• Occasional lifting (up to 25 pounds), bending, pulling, and carrying.

Don’t meet every requirement? We believe that all people are capable of great things, and we are dedicated to maintaining an inclusive work environment. Because of this, we encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements that are listed within this job description. 

TO APPLY: 

Candidates must submit a resume and cover letter to apply. Candidates must include and describe relevant legal research experience in the cover letter. Upon receiving a request for an interview, candidates should be prepared to submit a brief writing sample (1-2 pages), an unofficial transcript, and two professional references. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY  

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants is an equal opportunity employer. We maintain a policy of equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, domestic partnership status, marital status, physical or mental disability, AIDS/HIV status, age, political affiliation, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.