Refugee Representation Bilingual Intern – Spring 2020 (Washington, D.C.)
REFUGEE REPRESENTATION BILINGUAL INTERN – SPRING 2020 (WASHINGTON, D.C.)
Call for Applications
Human Rights First welcomes undergraduate students to apply for internships with the Refugee Representation team. We are looking for students who are currently enrolled in undergraduate studies, have a strong interest in and commitment to human rights, and want to work on behalf of indigent asylum-seekers. Applicants must be fluent in a second language, preferably Spanish or French. We seek part-time interns during each fall and spring semester each academic year (15 hours per week minimum), and full-time interns during the summer (35 hours per week minimum). All internships are unpaid.
We would also consider having interns remain with our program for the entire academic year. Interns will be based in our Washington, D.C. office. The Refugee Representation program works to provide indigent asylum seekers with quality legal representation in their asylum cases. The program also advocates for legal reform and policy change on issues affecting asylum seekers in the United States. The Refugee Representation Bilingual Intern position is a wonderful opportunity for an undergraduate student to learn more about the asylum system and gain direct experience working with asylum seekers.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Assist staff members in conducting foreign language telephonic screening and in-person intake interviews with potential asylum clients and drafting detailed interview-based reports with extensive country conditions documentation and legal analysis;
- Assist Human Rights First attorneys in drafting affidavits, briefs, and other legal documents for asylum seekers;
- Complete immigration forms for Human Rights First’s direct representation clients including family reunification petitions and green card applications when needed. Assist staff with legal research, preparation for trainings, meetings, special projects, and other events;
- Represent Human Rights First at various NGO and government liaison meetings with the Department of Homeland Security;
- Respond to requests for assistance from potential asylum seekers locally, as well as individuals in immigration detention centers nationwide;
- Help with the process of identifying, analyzing, and responding to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions from federal courts or the Board of Immigration Appeals;
- Assist staff with written and oral correspondence with existing clients, potential clients, interpreters, and others involved in the process of case screening, acceptance, and placement with law firms;
- Provide interpretation services in a foreign language on as needed basis.
DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:
- Demonstrated interest in human rights, asylum, and immigration issues (experience in asylum and immigration issues preferred, but not required);
- Excellent writing and editing skills;
- Excellent communication skills;
- Excellent research abilities;
- Fluency in Spanish, French, or another foreign language and ability to conduct both telephonic and in-person interview in the foreign language;
- Ability to handle several tasks at once while working independently or as a member of a team;
- Compassion, empathy, and a sense of humor.
EDUCATION: Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from, an accredited undergraduate or graduate university.
COMPENSATION: Unpaid
START DATE: January 20, 2020
TIME COMMITMENT: 15 hours per week minimum. Internship will run until May 15, 2020.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: December 6, 2019
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: Please include a cover letter, resume, and short writing sample, all in PDF format.
Only selected applicants will be contacted for phone or in-person interviews. NO PHONE CALLS, PLEASE.