Immigration Legal Services – UAC Legal Intern
Please note that internship applications must be submitted through our website at https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/Intern/Application.
Location: In-person preferred, but not required
The Immigration Legal Services (ILS) Program represents unaccompanied children (UACs) in immigration matters, including affirmative asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and related forms of relief. Our work focuses on providing trauma-informed, client-centered legal services to children navigating complex immigration systems.
ILS welcomes undergraduate, graduate, and law students to support the UAC team through a combination of administrative case coordination and supervised legal support. This role is designed to strengthen case operations while providing meaningful exposure to immigration legal practice.
Intern Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain case program databases, including opening, updating, and closing cases
- Conduct regular case status checks (e.g., SIJS and TVPRA asylum cases) and record updates in case notes
- Schedule client meetings, conduct intakes, and complete internal case-related appointments
- Draft and process client communications, including client agreements, closing letters, declination letters, and lost contact outreach
- Coordinate referrals to partner organizations (e.g., TVPRA, OTIP, VLN)
- Assist with preparation, assembly, and mailing of immigration filings under supervision
- Upload and organize client documents and maintain accurate case files
- Draft case notes and summaries based on client interactions and document review
- Assist with client intake and follow-up communications
- Assist with preparation of affirmative applications (e.g., asylum Form I-589)
- Support case closing procedures, including file organization and system updates
Experience and Qualifications
- Strong attention to detail with ability to manage and follow through on multiple tasks
- Excellent organizational and note-taking skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Interest in immigration law, human rights, and working with immigrant youth
- Cultural competency and sensitivity to working with diverse and vulnerable populations
- Fluency in English required; Spanish strongly preferred
- Experience with Legal Server or similar case management systems is a plus
- Prior coursework or experience in immigration or public interest law preferred
Questions? Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page. If your question is not answered in there, you can email internships@advrights.org. Please note that internship applications must be submitted using the form on our website.
