We Are . . .

The Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks about and acts towards immigrants and immigration and by working toward a more fair and just immigration system that opens its doors to those in need of protection and unleashes the energy and skills that immigrants bring.

The Council’s Legal Department is staffed by experienced immigration lawyers who play a leading role in immigration litigation across the country. In line with the mission of the Council, the Legal Department pursues legal strategies to limit unfair enforcement policies, protect due process rights and ensure a fair immigration process, and reduce restrictions in business immigration.

The Legal Department:

• Conducts impact litigation, including class actions and other affirmative lawsuits against the immigration agencies
• Appears as amicus curiae in cases before the federal courts and administrative tribunals
• Files and litigates Freedom of Information Act requests
• Engages in administrative advocacy
• Issues practice advisories and other resources for immigration lawyers

Compensation:

If the applicant cannot secure their own funding, the Council offers a salary of $18/hour for 37.5 hours/week for the duration of the internship.

Interns must be dynamic self-starters with excellent research and writing skills and a demonstrable commitment to social justice and immigrant rights. Prior immigration law or advocacy experience or immigration law course or clinical experience is preferred. Intern assignments generally include assisting with active or developing litigation, including legal research, legal drafting (research memos, pleadings, briefs, or practice advisories), document review and summarizing, and cite checking legal pleadings. Interns also may have the opportunity to blog on recent legal developments and update www.holdcbpaccountable.org.

The Council encourages individuals who have been impacted by the immigration and/or criminal legal systems, as well as bilingual candidates, to apply.

For consideration, qualified applicants are to submit a resume and cover letter. The cover letter should include a summary of how your background, knowledge, and skills relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position.  

NOTE: Applications without cover letters may not be considered.  

The American Immigration Council is an equal opportunity employer, and is committed to treating all applicants and employees without regard to unlawful considerations of race, religious creed, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veteran status, citizenship and immigration status, or any other classification protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws. This equal employment opportunity commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to, advertising, recruiting, hiring, job assignment, compensation, promotion, demotion, benefits, training, discipline, and termination.

The Council believes that diversity is a strength. The Council is committed to being a safe, respectful, and inclusive space, where a broad range of viewpoints and experiences are encouraged and every member of its staff and board is given the opportunity to thrive.