Description
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.
The IRC's Immigration Legal Services Department in Silver Spring, Maryland, provides high-quality, low-cost immigration services, including filing applications for adjustment of status, work authorization, naturalization, and family reunification for a broad range of clients.
Responsibilities:
- 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
- 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
- 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, 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
- Passion to work with limited-English speaking refugees (second language proficiency a plus, Spanish strongly preferred)
- Interest and/or work experience on U.S. Immigration law and outreach knowledge
- Excellent research, language, database management, and record-keeping skills
Additional Requirements:
- 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
Benefits:
- Unpaid internship
- Possible per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel