Internship - Immigration Impact Unit - Fall 2026

Committee for Public Counsel Services•Malden, MA

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Immigration Impact Unit (IIU) of the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is seeking applicants for Fall 2026 internship positions. We are interested in law students both with and without SJC Rule 3:03 Certification. We fight for equal justice and human dignity by supporting our clients in achieving their legal and life goals. We zealously advocate for the rights of individuals and promote just public policy to protect the rights of all. CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The Immigration Impact Unit (IIU) is available to assist all Massachusetts court-appointed attorneys understand and address the collateral immigration issues a client faces. The IIU serves as an expert resource for attorneys statewide who are appointed to represent indigent clients including in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person and sex offender registry cases, as well as related appeals and post-conviction matters. In criminal matters, the IIU assists appointed counsel to advise noncitizens about the specific immigration consequences of criminal dispositions and to mitigate those consequences where possible. The IIU publishes practice advisories and case notes on significant legal issues. We also provide trainings throughout Massachusetts on a range of immigration-related topics, including the immigration consequences of criminal conduct. We engage in systemic litigation where due process and constitutional rights of indigent noncitizen criminal defendants in Massachusetts are affected. We also provide direct representation to a limited number of noncitizens each year in post-conviction matters.

Requirements

Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the protection of fundamental constitutional and human rights.
Experience with criminal and immigration law through coursework, prior internships, and/or clinics
Able to decipher a Massachusetts criminal record (CORI)
Minimum 30 hours per week
Access to reliable transportation or public transportation to travel to courts
Access to a personal computer with home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Nice To Haves

SJC Rule 3:03 Certification

Responsibilities

Review criminal conviction records, CORIs, and immigration documents
Conduct legal research on criminal-immigration issues
Draft post-conviction motions
Argue at least one post-conviction motion in court (3:03 certified students only)