Summer 2013 Law Student Internship-Refugee Protection Program

Job Title	Summer 2013 Law Student Internship-Refugee Protection Program
Job ID	659224
Begin Date	6/1/13
Duration	10-12 week period
Location	New York,  10001
Other Location
Description	Human Rights First is a non-profit, nonpartisan international human rights organization based in New York and Washington DC. We build respect for human rights and the rule of law to help ensure the dignity to which everyone is entitled and to stem intolerance, tyranny, and violence.   Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, developing, and promoting staff across all programs and departments from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTI 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 help make our advocacy work stronger and more effective.     Human Rights First welcomes law students to apply for a Summer 2013 internship in our Refugee Protection Program. We are looking for students who are currently enrolled in law school, have a strong interest in and commitment to human rights, are fluent in a relevant second language, and want to work on behalf of asylum-seekers.  Interns will be based in HRF’s New York office and will be expected to work at least 35 hours per week for a 10-12 week period.  This is an unpaid internship. Interns will be responsible for securing their own funding or arranging to receive course credit at their law schools. The Refugee Protection Program works to provide indigent asylum seekers with quality legal representation in their asylum cases.  The program also advocates for legal reform and policy change on issues affecting asylum seekers in the United States.   DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:   Assist staff in conducting intake interviews with potential asylum clients by taking notes, providing interpretation services (depending on foreign language ability), and writing interview-based reports with extensive country research; Travel to the immigration detention centers in New Jersey to assist with intake interviews of potential asylum clients, as needed;   Assist staff with legal research, preparation for trainings, meetings, special projects, and other events; Represent Human Rights First at various NGO-government liaison meetings and take detailed notes for HRF staff, as needed;   Assist staff in identifying, analyzing, and responding to legal or procedural changes that affect asylum seekers, including statutory changes, proposed regulations, and decisions from federal courts or the Board of Immigration Appeals;   Other tasks as needed.   EDUCATION: Applicants MUST be law students who are currently enrolled in U.S.-based institutions and attending classes this spring semester. START DATE: Summer 2013   TO APPLY: Applicants must send a cover letter, resume, references, and a writing sample to AdamsL@HumanRightsFirst.org The subject line of the email must be: “Summer 2013 Law Student Internship”   SUBMISSION DEADLINE: Open until filled. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.  No phone calls.    HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. WE CONSIDER APPLICANTS FOR ALL POSITIONS WITHOUT REGARD TO RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, CREED, GENDER, NATIONAL ORIGIN, AGE, DISABILITY, MARITAL OR VETERAN STATUS, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, OR ANY OTHER LEGALLY PROTECTED STATUS.                                                                                                           www.HumanRightsFirst.org
Required Skills	•Demonstrated interest in human rights, asylum, and immigration issues (experience in asylum and immigration issues preferred but not required);  •Excellent oral and written communication skills;  •Excellent research skills;  •Fluency in a second language (especially Spanish, Russian, French, or Mandarin);  •Ability to handle several tasks at once while working independently or as a member of a team;  •Compassion, empathy, and a sense of humor.