Summer Legal Internship Opportunity
IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS PROJECT
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
New York and California Offices

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project seeks legal interns for the Summer of 2009.

OVERVIEW:
The Immigrants’ Rights Project is a national project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation with offices in New York and California. Using targeted impact litigation, advocacy and public outreach, the Project carries on the ACLU’s historic commitment to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of immigrants. In federal district and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, the Project conducts the nation’s largest impact litigation program dedicated to defending and expanding the rights of immigrants, enforcing the guarantees of the Constitution and achieving equal justice under the law.

The Project has focused on challenging laws that deny immigrants access to the judicial system, impose indefinite and mandatory detention, deprive immigrants of due process or discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived immigration status. The Project is also involved in combating unconstitutional law enforcement practices and state and local anti-immigrant enactments. In addition, the Project has been engaged in litigation aimed at exposing and opposing post-9/11 practices such as the use of “enemy combatant” and “material witness” designations to impose detention without trial and the torture and abuse of military detainees.

The Project is also engaged in broad public education and advocacy efforts. The Project works with the English and non-English language media, immigrant advocacy organizations and ACLU affiliates around the country to empower immigrant communities through presentations about their rights as well as current and proposed immigration laws and policies. The Project also provides analysis of and technical support related to proposed legislation bearing on immigrants’ rights.

INTERNSHIP OVERVIEW:
Working closely with IRP staff, legal interns assist in all aspects of litigation including legal research, factual investigation, and drafting of memoranda, affidavits, and briefs. Interns may also assist IRP staff in providing assistance and advice to ACLU affiliates, private attorneys and others who seek our assistance; screening potential cases; and researching or drafting materials for public education. Interns will attend regular staff meetings.

This summer internship requires a full-time commitment. Summer interns are highly encouraged to seek public interest fellowships to fund their internship. Arrangements can also be made with the student's law school for work/study stipends. Summer interns may be eligible for a stipend if they are unable to secure funding. Interns work under the direction of one or more of our staff attorneys and attend regular staff meetings.

Students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, as decisions are mad on a rolling basis.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year of law school must be completed before beginning the internship.
• Commitment to civil liberties and immigrants’ rights and an interest in working toward racial and social justice.
• Strong writing and research skills.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, list of references, and transcript to the office in which you wish to work. If you are interested in both offices, please apply separately to each and indicate that you have done so in your cover letter.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.