Immigration Services Clerkship (Legal)
Internship Overview
The Immigration Services program serves residents of the Twin Cities area, the majority of whom originally entered the U.S. as refugees or asylees. We help bring economic and civic benefits to these recently arrived residents by assisting with their citizenship application, along with other immigration applications, including but not limited to green card application, DACA, and other assistance to recent arrivals from Afghanistan and Ukraine. Since 2001 the International Institute of Minnesota has helped over 16,000 New Americans achieve U.S. citizenship.
Additionally, this position will work with the Institute’s immigration attorney, and the Anti-Trafficking Case Management team, to provide legal representation to immigrant survivors for human trafficking and labor exploitation.
Interns will be exposed to a variety of immigration areas, mainly related to refugee, asylee, and human trafficking issues. They will assist the Institute’s immigration attorney and program staff by working directly with clients on affidavits and forms completion, researching specific questions of law and policy, preparing legal memoranda, and with overall case management (details below).
Interest and coursework in immigration law preferred as well as a familiarity and interest in working with immigrant populations. Bilingual Spanish speakers highly encouraged to apply.
This position accepts second semester 1L applicants.
About the Internship
Please read each section below before applying.
- Assist clients with various immigration applications such as permanent residency (for refugees and asylees), work authorization, citizenship, trafficking visas (T visas), and other benefits for victims for trafficking and labor exploitation
- Conduct interviews with clients throughout the case preparation process to collect information and evidence related to their cases
- Respond to client questions related to their immigration application
- Research applicable laws and legal precedents to provide legal support to the attorney and accredited representatives
- Draft legal documents, particularly legal memoranda and cover letters
- Review case files to determine what additional action is needed by the attorney or accredited representative
- Assist in client interview preparation and attend immigration interviews as a student-certified attorney
- Input case-related information into client database and upload documents
- Must be currently enrolled or recently graduates law school student
- Minimum of 12 hours/week for 4 months. (We are willing to consider less weekly hours if commitment can be made for more than 4 months.)
- Hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- The position is unpaid, though we are willing to work with the student and law school if they are able to facilitate the earning of class credit through their internship or if they are interested in applying for compensation through a fellowship program.
- Available workspace at Institute office
- Free parking and bus line accessibility
- Individualized supervision with Institute attorney and staff
- Opportunity to gain immigration experience and work directly with clients
About Us
Founded in 1919, the International Institute of Minnesota offers New Americans quality services that support their journey to stability and success. Our comprehensive offerings include refugee resettlement, English education, workforce and leadership development, college preparation and support, and immigration and citizenship assistance. The Institute also provides advocacy for policy reforms and supports systems change that improve opportunities for New Americans to move their lives forward.
Contact Us
Call or email us if you have questions about volunteering.
Kaela Schweisthal
Volunteer and Community Partnerships Manager
(651) 377-8663