Immigration & Citizenship Intern (Unpaid)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

BACKGROUND: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in more than 40 countries and over 20 U.S. cities, the IRC provides resettlement, education and empowerment support to refugees and displaced people.

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.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Student will learn about immigration law and policy

Student will learn about refugee resettlement and refugee social services

Student will develop research and outreach skills

Student will learn how to interact with multi-cultural and limited English speaking clients

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

This position reports to the Senior Legal Representative

IRC leading the way From Harm To Home.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.