What are the responsibilities and job description for the Legal Internship- Children's Program position at Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)?
Description
Who We Are
The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.
“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.
We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.
Position Summary
The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center) is seeking law students with a passion for public interest law and immigrants' rights to become part of our internship program for the Children’s Program (DUCs). Legal Interns working with the Children’s Program will assist our staff in representing detained children through meeting with clients, preparing filings, conducting detention site visits, and attending hearings.
We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2025. Our Summer Internship Program requires a commitment of at least ten weeks, starting on or about May 27, 2025.
Internships are unpaid; however, Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit.
Part-time and full-time remote internships are available.
Applicants from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If relevant, please discuss in your application how your background motivates your interest in this position or otherwise affects your career goals.
Scholarship Opportunity:
Amica Center for Immigrant Rights invites all prospective interns to apply for the Amica Center Scholarship for the Summer 2025 semester. Amica Center will distribute four $1,000 tax-free* scholarships to eligible interns for the primary purpose of educational and professional development. To learn more, please visit https://amicacenter.org/join-the-fight/careers-internships/.
*Scholarship funds are intended to be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the institution. Scholarship recipients are advised to speak to a tax expert and report the scholarship funds in their gross income to the IRS.
Remote Work:
To keep our internships accessible to all students regardless of geographic location, all Summer 2025 internships may be remote. We encourage applicants from local law schools and those from outside the D.C. area to apply. There is no requirement that interns conduct any in-person work during their internships, but interns may have the opportunity to appear in or observe court in person. There will be opportunities for in-office work, in-person meetings, and events with staff and fellow interns in compliance with Amica Center’s COVID-19 policies.
General Duties and Responsibilities:
Representation of Detained Immigrants:
Legal interns will assist DUCs attorneys in providing direct representation to minor detainees seeking defense against deportation. Interns will have the opportunity to attend trainings, conduct legal research and evidentiary assessments, and prepare motions, pleadings, complaints, and applications for legal relief. Amica Center is committed to ensuring that interns are able to work on a wide array of tasks and legal matters within the scope of Amica Center’s work.
Additionally, interns may assist with identifying potential cases for placement. Interns will be responsible for tasks including contacting family members of potential clients, analyzing criminal, medical, and immigration records, seeking and providing appropriate referrals, conducting legal research to identify relief, and writing placement memos for pro bono placement.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To be considered for the internship, please fill out the application link below and attach the following materials in .pdf format to your Paylocity application.
- A cover letter indicating your interest in the position. Please describe what experiences, personal and professional, have motivated you to apply.
- A resume;
- At least 2 references; and
- A writing sample.
Please apply to ONLY ONE department within Amica Center. For example, if you apply for this internship with the Immigration Impact Lab, please do not also apply for an internship with the Detained Adult Program. Please choose the department that best matches your preference, skills, and experience.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews may be scheduled and offers given before the deadline, so please apply as soon as you are able.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: March 07, 2025
Requirements
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in law school;
- Ability to commit 35 hours a week for 10 weeks;
- Spanish proficiency;
- Ability to work independently and as part of team;
- Ability to pass a background check;
- Familiarity with immigration or family law is preferred, but not required;
- Experience working in the area of immigration law and/or immigrants’ rights is a plus;
- Ability to relate to and work with low-income clients with histories of trauma is a plus.
Required Resources:
- A laptop or computer (*);
- Reliable internet; and
- A phone
*Amica Center may be able to provide access to a temporary laptop as needed.
