About the role#
The Children's Legal Services (CLS) Legal Externship supports attorneys providing legal services to unaccompanied youth facing deportation in immigration court. This role involves assisting with applications for Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and other humanitarian forms of relief. Externs gain experience in immigration law while working directly with clients to support their cases.
What you'll do#
- Assist CLS attorneys in providing client services, including interviews and communications.
- Conduct factual and legal research, including country conditions research and analysis of client cases.
- Help clients draft personal declarations and gather evidence for immigration applications.
- Draft immigration applications, legal cover letters, briefs, and court motions.
- Record client notes in the case management system and manage case files.
- Assist staff in monitoring the status of client immigration court removal proceedings.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program.
- A strong desire to help immigrant youth.
- Ability to work independently with high attention to detail.
- Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Location & details#
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
- Term: Fall 2026 (September - December).
- Modality: On-site.
- Commitment: Minimum of 15 hours per week, with a preference for 37.5 hours. A minimum commitment of 24 hours per week is required for this specific internship.
- Compensation: This position is unpaid. Fall 2026 interns may be eligible for a per diem reimbursement of $15 per day to offset food and travel costs.
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