Legal Intern/Extern (U.S. Legal Services)

International Refugee Assistance Project • New York, NY

3d • Remote

About The Position

The International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP) seeks three law students to work as summer interns with our U.S. Legal Services Department. In particular, IRAP seeks candidates who are interested in working mainly with IRAP’s direct legal services team, although interns/externs will also have the opportunity to work on assignments with other departments. This is a remote internship, but candidates will have the option of working from IRAP’s New York City office space.

We will prioritize the review of applications received by January 23, 2026, so interested students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Requirements

• Must be a rising 2L or 3L, enrolled in a J.D. program in the United States.
• Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Sensitivity to client empowerment and to working with clients of all backgrounds, including LGBTI clients, survivors of trauma, and other vulnerable populations
• Initiative to see projects through and the ability to multitask
• Proficiency in Google Workspace and Westlaw or LexisNexis
• Excellent English communication skills required.
• Must have work authorization in the United States for application for an internship (candidates may apply for an externship regardless of work authorization status).

Nice To Haves

• Ability to speak Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Somali, Pashto, Kurdish, or Spanish is a plus
• Strong interest in refugee processing, immigration law, and human rights.

Responsibilities

• Supporting the direct representation of forcibly displaced people and their family members seeking safe passage to the United States by drafting memos, briefs, conducting fact-finding, and interviewing clients
• Conducting intake interviews and identifying client needs for direct services
• Participating in discrete special projects, including remote legal clinics
• Conducting outreach to affected communities, preparing legal information materials, and participating in public education efforts
• Participating in litigation efforts as appropriate, including conducting factual and legal research, preparing litigation documents, and cite-checking
• Conducting legal research in support of a multi-organizational working group on climate change
• Drafting and updating legal practitioner guides, analyzing changes in law and newly released government documents, and creating other materials to assist IRAP staff and legal aid practitioners.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees