Description
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking an intern for its Immigration Department in Silver Spring, Maryland. The 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.
Responsibilities:
- Review client immigration documents and assist clients with requirements for consultations and application sessions with legal staff
- Answer client questions regarding immigration services and refer clients to the appropriate IRC staff member when necessary
- Provide general administrative support, including tracking, filing, and mailing relevant documents, applications, and notices of action
- Assist in updating client information in the Lolly Law database under the guidance of the supervising Immigration Services Manager
- Help 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, policies, 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 (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
Additional Information:
- This position is for the Spring semester and requires a minimum commitment of 4 months
- Ability to come in-person to Silver Spring office is required (immigration department is currently in-person Monday – Thursday and remote on Fridays)
- Spring 2026 Interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on January 26th, 2026
- Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid; Spring 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day