Non-Legal Intern - Spring 2027

Position: Non-Legal Intern - Spring 2027 Location: New York or Remote

Job Id: 948

of Openings: 1

Non-Legal Intern - Spring 2027

The NY office of Human Rights First seeks motivated non-legal interns for the Spring 2027 semester to assist in providing pro bono non-legal representation to asylum seekers before the Asylum Offices and Immigration Courts in the New York and New Jersey area. Interns will have the opportunity to work directly with clients on interviewing and document drafting and collaborate with attorneys on case strategy. Opportunities to work on direct representation cases include non-legal strategy, forms completion, advocacy, non-legal research, and brief writing, among other tasks.

Human Rights First is dedicated to inclusivity and will assist interns with externship credit, work-study, or securing funding from external sources. This position is unpaid, will support mostly the NY team of HRF and may be performed remotely. A computer and internet connection are required for this position. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT community are encouraged to apply.

How will you make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship?

Non-legal interns meaningfully contribute to the Refugee Representation program, which provides non-legal assistance to asylum seekers who cannot afford an attorney and need help with a claim for asylum or other humanitarian-based forms of immigration relief. Interns actively engage in furthering Human Rights First mission of working in the United States to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. Through direct engagement with refugees, non-legal interns assist in the furtherance of clients’ cases, applying their non-legal skills to the furtherance of human rights.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Interns have the opportunity to engage in client interviewing, to conduct screening interviews with potential clients, and to draft case summaries.
• Interns will work with Human Rights First staff on asylum cases, providing support with country conditions and other non-legal advocacy efforts.
• Interns will assist with updating and maintaining databases.
• Interns will conduct non-legal research in developing areas of immigration law and country conditions for analysis and reporting.
• Interns will have opportunities to attend non-legal trainings, advocacy groups, and discussion panels in the greater NY/NJ area and virtually.

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple deadlines at once
• Non-legal research and writing skills, particularly in immigration law, administrative law, federal law, and federal regulations
• Dedicated interest and passion for immigration advocacy, direct client representation, and protecting the rights of migrants
• Experience working with vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, and community organizations
• Motivated to work independently to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, is a plus.

Education: Enrollment in an undergraduate bachelor’s degree program. Compensation: Unpaid Submission Deadline: November 17, 2026 Start Date: January 29, 2027 End Date: April 23, 2027

Time Commitment: 15-20 hours/week Application Instructions: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample (no more than 5 pages).

Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.

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