Legal Externship (Spring 2027)

Duties And Responsibilities

• Support the legal team’s representation of clients who are eligible for asylum, withholding of removal, relief under the Convention Against Torture, VAWA, T visas, U visas, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.
• Client communication: assist the legal team with client communications and interview prospective clients.
• Preparing immigration forms: supporting legal team in compiling and completing applications for filing submission to USCIS.
• Immigration court hearing preparation: assist attorneys with preparing for court hearings at Baltimore and Hyattsville Immigration Courts, such as with compiling trial binders, preparing requests for prosecutorial discretion, drafting and preparing motions, and observing court hearings if there is availability and interest.
• Asylum interview preparation: assist attorneys with preparing for asylum interviews at Arlington Asylum Office, such as collecting and compiling supplemental evidence, preparing filing submissions, and observing mock interview sessions with clients if there is availability and interest.
• Legal writing and research: with attorney supervision, draft legal documents such as client letters, client declarations, legal memoranda, and briefs. Research country conditions for asylum, VAWA, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and/or U visa/T visa cases.

Requirements

• Commitment to at least 15 hours per week in a hybrid environment, for an internship term of at least 10 weeks, not including school holidays
• Enrollment in accredited law school, excellent research, writing and analytical skills, commitment to or interest in public interest law.
• Enrollment in Law school externship
• Language skills, particularly Spanish, highly desired but not required
• Must work well independently and together with a team of attorneys, paralegals, and social service professionals
• Must be detail-oriented, well-organized, responsible, personable, and comfortable working with diverse populations from a variety of backgrounds
• Sensitivity to working with trauma survivors
• Previous experience in Immigration law, domestic violence or criminal law is helpful but not required