Immigration & Citizenship Intern (Unpaid)

The Immigration & Citizenship Intern assists immigration staff in helping refugees, asylees, and other immigrants with various immigration applications and benefits. The intern supports community outreach efforts and gains experience in immigration law, refugee resettlement, and client interaction.

Responsibilities

• Assist immigration staff in helping refugees, asylees and other immigrants apply for adjustment of status (green cards), United States citizenship, family petitions, reunification applications, work permits, travel documents, DACA renewals and other immigration benefits
• Assist with accurate completion of application forms for clients
• Meet with clients to review their applications and documentation, obtain necessary client information, information from them, follow up with them in preparing their petitions
• Notify clients via telephone or mailings about matters related to their applications
• Assist clients with additional necessary procedures, such as requests for evidence and follow-up advocacy with USCIS or local or federal political / legislative offices
• Help to strategize, plan and execute community outreach efforts related to immigration matters, including assistance with planning know-your-rights and citizenship workshops as well as other informational forums
• Conduct outreach mailings
• Assist immigration team with tracking, filing, mailing relevant documents, applications and notices
• Maintain up-to-date client data in online immigration database
• Other related duties as assigned by the Immigration Program Manager or Immigration Assistant

Requirements

• JD candidate/law student preferred; will consider a college student
• Fluency in Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Dari, or Ukrainian are strongly preferred
• Familiar with the mission of IRC and willing to represent it appropriately
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to communicate effectively with refugees, asylees and other immigrants
• Ability to work well with a culturally diverse staff
• Prior experience in immigration a plus

Skills

• Immigration Law
• Refugee Resettlement
• Client Interaction
• Community Outreach
• Interpersonal Communication
• Cultural Competence
• Immigration Applications
• Bilingual Communication

Languages

English, Haitian Creole, Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Ukrainian