Undergraduate Internship, Detained Adult Program - Know Your Rights (KYR)

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

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Amica Center seeks undergraduate students with a passion for advancing immigrants’ rights to be part of our internship program with the Know Your Rights (KYR) Team, housed within the Detained Adult Program. The KYR Team works with hundreds of adults detained by ICE each year, providing information and support to people who are unrepresented. We provide trauma-sensitive, client-centered services, and deeply value our clients’ autonomy as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. Applicants from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If relevant, please discuss in your application how your background motivates your interest in this position or otherwise affects your career goals. Internships are unpaid; however, Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit or funding. Amica Center for Immigrant Rights invites all prospective interns to apply for the Amica Center Scholarship for the Fall 2026 semester. Amica Center will distribute four $1,000 tax-free scholarships to eligible interns for the primary purpose of educational and professional development. Scholarship funds are intended to be used to pay tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the institution. Scholarship recipients are advised to speak to a tax-expert and report the scholarship funds in their gross income to the IRS. An internship with our KYR Team requires in-person support and therefore we can only consider applicants who are local and can come into the office regularly. There will be opportunities for in-office work, in-person meetings, and events with staff and fellow interns in compliance with Amica Center’s COVID-19 policies.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
• Must be 18 or older
• Spanish High/intermediate skills or fluency is required
• Ability to work well both individually and as part of a team
• Detail oriented
• Self-starter
• A laptop or computer
• Reliable internet
• A phone

Nice To Haves

• Ability and/or prior experience relating to and working with low-income clients with histories of trauma and/or previous interactions with the criminal justice system is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Enter intakes and messages from jail visit onto our client database
• Assist with preparation and breakdown for monthly jail visit. [Please note that this requires the intern to be in the office at least twice a week, though we welcome people to be in office more than that].
• Provide support to our detention hotline which includes: answering calls, transferring to legal representatives or programs and on occasion answer questions for individuals
• Research political, economic, and social country conditions articles for asylum applicants without an attorney
• Prepare informational materials distributed at each jail visit
• Prepare documents for filing in immigration court
• Participate in bi-weekly breakdown and review of intakes from jails/detention centers
• Attend training opportunities within the office
• Shadow trial prep and other various case follow up on a jail visit, through video teleconference, phone, or written messages
• Expand our country conditions database
• Observe immigration court hearings
• Filing and other administrative assistance as needed
• OPTIONAL: Attend a jail visit with the KYR team

Benefits

• Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit or funding.
• Four $1,000 tax-free scholarships to eligible interns for the primary purpose of educational and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern