Children's Legal Services Intern (Summer 2026)

About the role

The Children’s Legal Services (CLS) Intern will assist CLS staff in providing services to unaccompanied youth who entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian and who face deportation/removal in immigration court proceedings. The intern will work closely with CLS staff to assist with case management, monitor status of immigration court removal proceedings, conduct country conditions factual research to support asylum and other immigration applications, draft immigration application(s) (e.g., Employment Authorization) and provide follow-up communication and other client services which may include supporting clients with research and referrals that the social services navigator is exploring on the client(s)’ behalf.

Responsibilities

• Aid CLS staff in providing services to clients, including setting up consultations and drafting immigration applications under the supervision of an immigration attorney.
• Perform research on various factual, legal and social service issues.
• Aid staff in monitoring status of clients’ immigration court removal proceedings.
• Assist staff with sorting, scanning and filing documents in case files.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy. Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients. Respect their beliefs and values.
• Provide occasional translation and interpretation (if the intern is fluent in written and spoken Spanish).
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about U.S. immigration law in the context of unaccompanied minors and youth.
• Develop problem solving and client services skills.
• Learn how to manage client cases within established deadlines.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 hours or up to 37.5 per week; preference for those that can work 37.5 hours.
• Undergraduate level studies or equivalent experience in public service community work.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but is not required.
• Strong desire to help immigrant youth in Maryland.
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and have high attention to detail.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management.
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Patience, understanding, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
• Adherence to IRC code of conduct, volunteer and workplace policies.

Benefits

• Medical insurance starting at $163 per month.
• Dental starting at $6.50 per month.
• Vision starting at $5 per month.
• FSA for healthcare and commuter costs.
• A 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching.
• Disability & life insurance.
• An Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Contact Information

To apply, click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume, cover letter, and a list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is May 22, 2026. This position is for the Summer semester and requires a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office is required. Summer 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 1st, 2026 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. Summer 2026 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 Michalina Kulesza at michalina.kulesza@rescue.org. 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.

Contact Information

For more information, please visit our website at www.rescue.org. 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. For further inquiries, please contact the IRC Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@rescue.org.