Children's Legal Services Intern (Fall 2026)

International Rescue Committee • Baltimore, MD

11d • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

The Children’s Legal Services (CLS) Legal Intern will support CLS attorneys in providing services to unaccompanied youth who entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian and who face deportation/removal in immigration court proceedings.

The legal intern will work under the supervision of CLS attorneys on specific projects to provide legal and factual research and analysis to support clients’ applications for Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and other humanitarian forms of relief such as T and U visa applications for survivors of human trafficking and other serious crimes. The legal intern will have an opportunity to assist attorneys in preparing for immigration court hearings and/or state court custody/guardianship proceedings relevant to Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. In addition, the legal intern will have direct client interactions to support clients with initial screenings, follow-up meetings, drafting their declarations, gathering and preparing other evidence relevant to their immigration applications. The intern will perform clerical and administrative duties to ensure client notes are current and files are organized and kept up to date.

Requirements

• Minimum 15 hours or up to 37.5 per week; preference for those that can work 37.5 hours.
• Must be currently enrolled in an accredited JD or LLM program.
• Spanish language proficiency is a plus but is not required.
• Strong desire to help immigrant youth in Maryland
• Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, and have high attention to detail.
• Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management
• Effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
• Patience, understanding, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
• Adherence to IRC code of conduct, volunteer and workplace policies

Nice To Haves

• Spanish language proficiency

Responsibilities

• Assist CLS attorneys in providing various client services including:
• Client interviews, follow-up meetings and client communications.
• Factual, Legal Research and Analysis. Intern will engage in fact-finding including country conditions factual research, legal research and analysis of client cases.
• Preparation of Testimony. Intern may assist client with initial drafting of their personal declarations and other personal fact-finding relevant to their immigration applications.
• Draft immigration applications and legal cover letters/briefs and court motions.
• Assist staff with monitoring status of clients’ immigration court removal proceedings
• Record client notes in case management system and assist legal staff with sorting, scanning and filing documents in case files.
• Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
• Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients. Respect their beliefs and values.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset the costs of food and travel of the internship.
• Reimbursement for mileage driven for any approved activities (based on round-trip mileage from the IRC office).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: Associate degree