Description:
Summary:Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) seeks law students for full-time summer internship positions in its Granger, Seattle, Tacoma, and Wenatchee offices. Interns will be asked to commit to 35-40 hours per week for a period of 10-12 weeks. Applicants with additional language skills are strongly preferred. Internships may be hybrid (default), in-person, or remote, subject to office capacity and unit placement. Select positions in NWIRP's Eastern Washington offices are funded; all other positions are unpaid, but NWIRP will work with applicants to secure outside funding or academic credit when possible. Interns will have direct exposure to a fast-paced work environment centered on immigration law and advocacy.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so early submission is recommended.
See specific internship info and funding availability for each office: Granger and Wenatchee, Seattle, and Tacoma.
About Northwest Immigrant Rights Project
Founded in 1984, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is a nationally recognized legal services organization on the front lines of defending and advancing the rights of immigrants. With over 200 employees, NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to thousands of people with low incomes who come from over 150 countries and speak over 60 different languages.
NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants. NWIRP is also a trusted provider of immigration-related community education for immigrant communities and social service providers. NWIRP serves the community through four offices in Washington State (Granger, Seattle, Tacoma, and Wenatchee), but the impact of our work is felt nationwide.
Responsibilities:
Under attorney supervision, interns will assist with case matters before U.S. immigration agencies, including the Immigration Court, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State consulates and embassies. Specific duties and responsibilities vary depending on office and unit placement. Generally, intern responsibilities may include the following:
- Identifying legal issues and potential forms of immigration relief;
- Drafting legal briefs and memos in support of applications;
- Preparing forms, motions, and other filings with immigration and State courts and agencies;
- Drafting client declarations and gathering evidence in support of applications;
- Conducting legal, policy, and country condition research;
- Appearing in immigration and State court hearings or USCIS interviews;
- Conducting legal intakes;
- Participating in workshops and other community education and outreach events; and
- Performing various administrative tasks as needed.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to immigrant rights and willingness to support NWIRP's mission, vision, and values
- Minimum commitment of 35 hours a week for 10-12 weeks
- Availability to fulfill internship hours within NWIRP's business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00A – 5:00P Pacific)
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, and the ability to present information clearly and concisely
- Commitment to working in a diverse work environment
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
- Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently as well as collaboratively
- Proficiency in the use of web-based software, Google Suite tools, Microsoft Office applications, including Word and Excel, and web peer-to-peer communication platforms
- Fluency in English and one other language (especially Spanish, but any additional languages) preferred
- Physical demands: While performing the duties of this job, the intern is regularly required to be stationary as well as move throughout the office or external offices; communicate over phone; and operate keyboards, computer, phone, and other peripherals. Internship may be hybrid or remote, so interns should have the ability to complete tasks off-site if necessary.
- Emotional demands: While performing the duties of this job, the intern is regularly required to discuss topics including, but not limited to, discrimination, domestic abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and violence.
Commitment to Inclusivity, Equity, and Representation:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants (including people who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds and language abilities.
NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please email HR@nwirp.org for any accommodation requests.
To Apply:
The internship is open to 1L, 2L, 3L, and LLMs. Spanish proficiency may be required for certain positions (see specific office descriptions), but applicants with any secondary language skills are strongly preferred.
Please apply online and submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references (2-3). Please address in the cover letter your interest in NWIRP and the immigrant rights movement, and how your lived or work/volunteer experience would make you a good fit for this role. The unedited writing sample can be a legal assignment or any written work (no more than 15 pages) that demonstrates your analytical writing skills.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis until positions are filled, so early submission is recommended.
Contact: internship@nwirp.org (Please do not submit application materials to this email.)
Granger & Wenatchee Offices
NWIRP's Granger and Wenatchee offices provide humanitarian-based immigration legal services to immigrant communities in North Central and Eastern Washington. At NWIRP's Granger and Wenatchee offices, law students will gain exposure to a variety of immigration law areas in both affirmative and defensive postures, and have the opportunity to improve their client interviewing and advocacy skills, as well as legal research and writing skills.
The Granger and Wenatchee offices work closely with farmworking population and support rural communities in Eastern Washington.
Our work focuses on:
- Asylum: Helps people who face persecution in their home countries in applying for asylum, and assists asylees and refugees in applying for permanent resident status and petitioning for their families.
- Children & Youth Advocacy: Helps children and youth seek various immigration reliefs, including Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) classification, asylum, DACA, and protections for survivors of violent crimes and human trafficking. Our Unaccompanied Children's Program (UCP) also provides direct representation on a universal representation model to unaccompanied immigrant children throughout North Central and Eastern Washington, and represents children before Washington State courts, immigration court, and USCIS.
- Family Services: Promotes family unity and stability by assisting with family visa applications and waivers.
- Naturalization: Assists immigrants and refugees, particularly elderly and/or people with disabilities, in obtaining citizenship, including seeking disability waivers from the required English and civics tests, and analyzing complex criminal and immigration history.
- Removal Defense: Represents detained and non-detained individuals facing removal proceedings in immigration court and other agencies.
- VAWA: Assists immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other crimes in obtaining U-, T- visas, and other immigration benefits derived from the Violence Against Women Act.
Applicants proficient in Spanish are strongly preferred.
Laurel Rubin Farm Worker Justice Project Funding
Laurel Rubin interns in NWIRP's Granger and Wenatchee offices (4 positions total) will receive a stipend of $10,500 for the duration of their 10-week service, disbursed on a monthly basis, funded by the Laurel Rubin Farm Worker Justice Project. Established in memory of Laurel Rubin, a devoted farm worker advocate and attorney, the Project funds internship opportunities with Washington State organizations that provide civil legal aid to farm workers. No separate application is required to be considered for Laurel Rubin funding.
Seattle Office
NWIRP's Seattle office serves immigrant communities in Island, King, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties. Interns would manage a caseload, work directly with clients,