We will be closed Monday, October 13, for Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will reopen for classes and services Tuesday, October 14.

Internship Opportunities

A

Gain Experience While Making an Impact

When interning at the International Institute of Minnesota, you’ll support immigrant and refugee communities while gaining hands-on work experience with an esteemed non-profit. We value our interns as a vital part of supporting New Americans through resettlement, immigration processes and citizenship.

We are currently accepting applications for an Immigration Services Intern to start October 2025 through May 2026. Please check back October 14th for Spring internships (January – April/May).  

Internship sessions:

  • Winter/Spring Term: January – April/May (Interviews in December)
  • Summer Term: May/June – August (Interviews in April)
  • Fall Term: September – December (Interviews in August)

Open Positions

  • Immigration Services Volunteer / Intern

    The Immigration Services Volunteer / Intern will play a vital role in supporting our immigration legal services team by working closely with refugees and asylees to apply for permanent residency.

    Estimated hours/week: Minimum of 15 hours/week through May 2026 
    Worksite: The International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Ave, St Paul MN 55108

    Learn More Apply Now

  • Immigration Citizenship Services Internship

    Interns will be exposed to a variety of immigration issues, mainly related to the process of U.S. citizenship. This role assists the Institute’s Accredited Representative and program staff with clients as they apply for U.S. citizenship and with overall case management. This is an in-person position at the International Institute of Minnesota.

    Learn More

  • Law Student Clerkship

    Law students 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. This is an in-person position at the International Institute of Minnesota.

    Learn More

  • Housing Navigator Intern

    The Anti-Trafficking Program Housing Navigator Intern will support foreign-born survivors of human trafficking in accessing safe, stable, and appropriate housing. The intern will work closely with the housing navigator and case managers to assist with housing navigation, resource coordination, and client advocacy.

    Learn More

About Our Internships

Our flexible, unpaid internships typically last four months. We are willing to adjust assignments to accommodate your school’s internship requirements.

Students who have worked in or would like to gain experience in nonprofits, refugee services, immigration or similar settings are encouraged to apply.

We are currently accepting Internship Applications for Fall 2025 (September – December)! Interviews will begin in August. Expect to hear back then for next steps.  If you have a school deadline that requires a faster timeline, please reach out to kschweisthal@iimn.org.  

Two women and a child smile during a naturalization ceremony to become U.S. citizens.

What Our Interns Are Saying

Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide using the slide dots.

  • Thank you for all the support … to help me grow during this internship experience! Over the past nine weeks, I have learned so much about the immigration world and myself, and have grown in ways I did not think possible. I am grateful for everything you guys have done to support me.

    Winwin

    St. Olaf College Social Impact Scholar

     

  • The supportive, knowledgeable, and collaborative staff at the International Institute of Minnesota made my internship such a positive learning experience. They took the time to find out my educational and professional interests, and personalized projects that would best fit my goals.

    Betsy Anger, LGSW

    Public Engagement Coordinator for the Office of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan
    Read Full Story

  • My internship experience at the Institute changed the trajectory of my career.  I came to the Institute during my undergrad in Criminal Justice.  I loved that career path however I realized that working with Refugee and Immigrant populations was my calling.

    Seynab Miyer

    Masters of Social Work, University of St. Thomas
    Read Full Story

Contact Us

Call or email us if you have questions about our internship program

Kaela Schweisthal
Volunteer and Community Partnerships Manager
(651) 377-8663

Email Kaela