About the role#
The Children's Legal Services (CLS) Legal Externship supports attorneys working with unaccompanied youth who entered the United States without a parent or legal guardian. These youth often face deportation or removal proceedings in immigration court. As an extern, you will assist with legal and factual research for cases involving Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and humanitarian relief such as T and U visas.
What you'll do#
- Assist CLS attorneys in providing direct client services, including interviews and follow-up meetings.
- Conduct factual and legal research, including analysis of country conditions.
- Help clients draft personal declarations and gather evidence for their immigration applications.
- Draft immigration applications, legal cover letters, briefs, and court motions.
- Record client notes in the case management system.
- Assist staff in monitoring the status of client removal proceedings.
- Organize, scan, and file documents within client case files.
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.
- Patience, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
Location & details#
- Location: Silver Spring, Maryland.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Fall 2026.
- Commitment: Minimum of 24 hours per week.
- Orientation: Attendance is required on September 7, 2026.
- Compensation: This position is unpaid, though interns may be eligible for a per diem reimbursement of $15 per day to offset travel and food costs.
About International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee is a nonprofit organization that provides humanitarian aid to people affected by war and disaster. Founded in 1933, it operates in more than 50 countries and 28 cities across the United States. The organization focuses on areas such as refugee resettlement, health care, and emergency relief. It employs over 13,000 people to support its mission of assisting displaced populations.
How to get in at International Rescue Committee
Applying early gives you a distinct advantage at the International Rescue Committee because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first before the pile grows. This helps you avoid the frustration of submitting your materials to a massive, stagnant queue. You can reach out directly to the recruiters behind the company's roles to ask about the position or a referral, which materially improves your response rates. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts, allowing you to bypass the standard portal and connect with the people actually hiring for the team.
