Legal Internship, Immigration Impact LAB

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights

. Assist staff with representing immigrants in appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and U.S.

Posted 10/27/2026internshipRemote • United StatesEntry LevelWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates strong legal research, writing, and communication skills while assisting with immigration law cases and collaborating with community advocacy groups. Capable of conducting interviews and developing resources for clients from diverse backgrounds.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Legal ResearchWriting SkillsImmigration Law ExperienceSpanish FluencyOrganizational Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Legal ResearchWriting MemorandaDrafting Habeas PetitionsConducting Phone InterviewsFOIA RequestsCrimmigration Case AnalysisEvidence CollectionAmicus BriefingClass Action CasesTraining Development

Soft Skills

Communication SkillsTime-Management SkillsTeam CollaborationOrganizational SkillsEmpathy

Tools & Technologies

LaptopComputerReliable InternetPhone

Industry Keywords

Immigration LawSocial JusticeAdvocacyCommunity OrganizingPolitical LobbyingTrauma-Informed CareLow Socio-Economic BackgroundsFOIA ExemptionsU.S. Courts of AppealBoard of Immigration Appeals

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Assist staff with representing immigrants in appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals and U.S. Courts of Appeal
Assist with class action cases, amicus briefs, Freedom of Information Act complaints, and habeas petitions in federal district courts and U.S. Courts of Appeal
Assess new referrals
Conduct legal research
Write memoranda
Contribute to amicus and merits briefing
Assist with drafting habeas petitions to secure the release of immigrant adults from detention
Prepare habeas cases for placement with pro bono partners
Conduct phone interviews with clients in detention
Collect evidence
Collaborate with community advocacy groups
Assist with FOIA requests and complaints
Research applicability of FOIA exemptions
Track and analyze FOIA production
Help develop website resources, conduct trainings, and draft practice advisories
Develop crimmigration case analyses for criminal defense attorneys in Virginia and Maryland
Develop public resources available on the website and by request

Requirements

What you’ll need

Second- or third-year law student at a U.S. ABA-accredited law school
Evening students are welcome to apply
Ability to commit a minimum of 15 hours a week for 14 weeks
Strong legal research, communication, and writing skills
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Willingness to work quickly and effectively with a team
Experience and interest in immigration law, immigrants’ rights, social justice, or advocacy
Competency and comfort working with adults and children from low socio-economic backgrounds, with histories of trauma and previous interactions with the criminal justice system
Spanish fluency preferred but not required
Fluency in French, Portuguese, or Arabic welcome
Laptop or computer required
Reliable internet required
Phone required
Cover letter, resume, at least two references, and one writing sample required for application
Background in community organizing or political lobbying is a plus but not required

Benefits

Comp & perks

Internships are unpaid
Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit
Limited small scholarship stipends available by separate application
Fully remote internship option
No requirement for in-person work
Opportunities for in-office work, in-person meetings, events, and observing court in person for interns physically accessible to Washington, D.C.
Amica Center may be able to provide access to a temporary laptop as needed