Undergraduate Internship, Detained Adult Program - Direct Representation

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)•Washington, DC

8d•Remote

About The Position

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is seeking law students with a passion for immigrants’ rights to be part of our internship program for the Detained Adult Program (DAP). The Detained Adult Program works with hundreds of adults from Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia communities who are detained by ICE, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, client-centered services, and deeply value our clients’ autonomy as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2026. Our Spring Legal Internship Program asks for a commitment of 15-20 hours a week for 10 weeks, starting on or about Monday, August 31, 2026. Internships are unpaid; however, Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit. There is also a limited number of small scholarship stipends available by separate application. More information on our scholarship fund and the application instructions is available here: https://amicacenter.org/join-the-fight/careers-internships/ Remote Work: To keep our internships accessible to all students regardless of geographic location, all Fall 2026 internships will be remote as a default. We encourage applicants from local law schools, as well as those from outside the D.C. area, to apply. While there will be no requirement that interns conduct any in-person work during their internships, interns have the opportunity to appear in or observe court in-person if they are comfortable doing so. There will also be opportunities for occasional in-office work, in-person meetings, and events with staff and fellow interns.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in law school
Ability to commit 15-20 hours a week
Strong interest in human rights, social justice, and immigration rights issues
Excellent research and writing skills
Ability to work independently and within a team
Intellectually curious
Willingness to work with individuals from low-income communities who might have criminal histories and/or mental health illnesses
A laptop or computer
Reliable internet
A phone

Nice To Haves

Fluency in Spanish or a second language is strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Conducting legal research and writing in support of detained clients applying for relief before the immigration court
Conducting individualized country conditions research and collection of primary evidence in support of detained clients applying for relief before the Immigration Court
Assisting in the preparation and filing of applications for immigration relief
Assistance with legal research and case preparation for habeas corpus relief in federal courts
Assisting with interpretation and translation, if possible
Communicating with clients and their family members via telephone
Attending court hearings and/or visiting clients in detention
Legal research and writing
Client service and communication
Evidence collection and assessment