IDP Spring & Summer Internship Announcement

The Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) is a national nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes fundamental fairness for immigrants accused or convicted of crimes. IDP seeks to minimize the harsh and disproportionate immigration consequences of contact with the criminal justice system by working to transform unjust deportation laws and policies, and by educating and advising immigrants, their criminal defenders, and other advocates.

IDP is currently accepting applications from law students seeking internships for the upcoming Spring and Summer.

Our interns get unique exposure to both the criminal justice and immigration systems and an opportunity to develop substantive legal expertise. They can work on these issues from a holistic perspective that includes policy, litigation, and community outreach.

Based on interns’ interests and program needs, potential projects for this summer could include:

  • Policy research and advocacy to help us ensure that federal immigration reform efforts restore due process rather than increase detention and deportation
  • Support for impact litigation, including research and writing on cutting-edge legal arguments following major recent victories at the Supreme Court
  • Provision of detailed legal analyses to criminal defense attorneys, immigration advocates, and immigrants and their loved ones on their cases through our free national hotline
  • Know Your Rights presentations and intakes in NYC jails
  • Work with community-based organizations on local and state campaigns
  • Resource development for public defender offices across the country

We have helped many of our past interns find employment at public defender offices, immigrant rights organizations, and other social justice organizations. We work hard to ensure that interns get the most out of their experience and provide trainings and a dynamic work environment.

To apply:

Please submit cover letter and resume to Alisa Wellek at internships2014[at]immdefense[dot]org. Applications accepted on a rolling basis until positions filled, but we encourage you to apply early. Please note that applicants must seek outside funding from their law schools or other funders. We are happy to support these efforts. Term-time internships will also be considered if applicants can commit a minimum of 12 hours/week.

The Immigrant Defense Project is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively recruits women, people of color, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse gender and sexual identities, immigrants, and formerly incarcerated persons.

View PDF of this announcement