NILC Summer Internship 2026

About the Organization

Founded in 1979 the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILCs mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race gender/gender identity immigration status or economic status should have equal access to justice resources and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF) a 501(c)(4) organization work to advocate more directly for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission which intersects race immigration status and class through racial economic and gender justice and equity orientation.

About the role

The National Immigration Law Center seeks highly motivated law students for internship positions in Summer 2026 for work involving a wide range of immigrants rights issues. Legal Interns will be fully embedded in the legal and/or policy team(s) and will actively work with staff attorneys and other NILC staff to conduct legal research write legal memoranda and complete a policy and legal research project in response to current immigration rights injustices.

NILC encourages applications from law students to work remotely on projects benefiting low-income immigrants in one of NILCs priority areas: challenging abusive immigration enforcement policies and practices; ensuring that immigrants have fair and equitable access to education health care and other economic supports; defending and advancing workers rights; defending democracy at the intersection with immigrants rights and immigrant justice; and building power and pro-immigrant momentum through federal and state policy gains and narrative change. NILCs recent work has focused on litigation challenging the current administrations treatment of immigrants over the last several months. Interns will engage in a variety of projects such as:

Assisting with research and drafting pleadings and motions related to active litigation under an attorneys supervision.

Research and writing related to litigation and other forms of immigration advocacy. Depending on the focus area interns may conduct research on federal and state immigration statutes and regulations as well as procedural and evidentiary issues.

Participating in hearings strategy sessions client meetings site visits and/or depositions.

Engaging in immigration policy discussions with government officials and community groups.

NILC provides a rich environment for legal interns to learn about the immigrants rights movement and to work alongside attorneys and policy analysts involved in national policy analysis impact litigation community education and advocacy.

Summer interns are full-time for a minimum of ten (10) weeks.

This role is not a member of the Bargaining Unit.

Requirements

Current 2L (rising 3L) law school student in good standing (No undergraduates will be considered).

Strong academic record demonstrated through law school and/or other postgraduate coursework

Excellent legal research and writing skills.

Commitment to NILCs mission of defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. Previous experience in the immigrants rights movement is highly preferred.

Strong desire to pursue a career in the public / nonprofit sector.

A genuine interest in and commitment to helping NILC create and foster an equitable and inclusive workplace

Qualified applicants are enthusiastic creative proactive and detail-oriented; have excellent research writing communication and interpersonal skills; and can work independently.

Fluency or proficiency in a language other than English is a plus but not required.

To Apply

Applications consist of a resume cover letter a writing sample and a list of at least two professional references. Please submit as a single PDF file under the resume upload section of the application. (If you are experiencing difficulty with submitting one comprehensive file please submit your materials to the corresponding fields.)

(If you have any difficulties uploading the single file please submit resume and cover letter in the designated application fields then email a copy of your writing sample and references to with the subject line Legal Internship Summer 2026 - Writing Sample and References).

The application period for summer law interns begins Oct. 3rd. Interested students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible but no later than Dec. 12. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

At NILC we know that talented people may have different backgrounds or experiences and if your education and experience doesnt exactly align with the above thats okay! NILC believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants. NILCs goal is for our people to reflect the communities in which we live and serve and to ensure representation of people of color women veterans and individuals with disabilities in our organization. We encourage you to apply and let us know in your cover letter why you are qualified and the right fit for this role and NILC.

Work Environment

Location & Travel:

NILCs office is in Washington D.C. For this role some overnight interstate travel may be required.

Compensation & Benefits:

NILCs compensation and benefits philosophy are to provide a competitive offering in the nonprofit sector and ensure equity across the organization.

Physical Demands

Remaining in a stationary position often standing or sitting for prolonged periods

Communicating with others to exchange information.

Repeating motions like typing or answering a phone that may include the wrists hands and/or fingers.