Immigration Legal Services Intern (Summer 2026)

International Rescue Committee

Job Location:

Silver Spring, MD - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: 4 days ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worlds worst humanitarian crises helping to restore health safety education economic wellbeing and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein the IRC is one of the worlds largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO) at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety dignity and hope to millions. If youre a solutions-driven passionate change-maker come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Scope of work: IRCs Immigration Legal Services Department in Silver Spring Maryland provides high quality low-cost immigration services including filing applications for adjustment of status (i.e. green cards) work authorization naturalization and family reunification for a broad range of clients.

Responsibilities:

Responsible for going through client immigration documents and assisting clients with requirements for consultations and application sessions with legal staff.

Answer client questions regarding immigration services and when necessary refer clients to the appropriate IRC staff member.

General administrative support including tracking filing and mailing relevant documents applications and notices of action.

Under the guidance of the supervising Immigration Services Manager assist in putting client information updates in Lolly Law database.

Assist clients with document translation authentication presentation and completion.

Provide special assistance to clients with particular needs.

Promote the IRCs immigration department through online and local networks.

Research immigration issues polices and programs

Build partnerships with local agencies to improve systems of providing immigration services.

Learning Objectives:

Learn about immigration services available to newcomers.

Gain experience in online databases such as Lolly Law and application processing.

Experience working in outreach to support building partnerships.

Qualifications:

Working towards a college degree related to international relief humanitarian work or refugee law related subjects. Must be current student or within 12 months of schooling.*

Passion to work with limited-English speaking refugees (second language proficiency a plus Spanish strongly preferred also seeking French Dari and Pashto)

Interest and/or work experience on U.S Immigration law and outreach knowledge (Prior experience in immigration is a plus).

Excellent research language database management and record keeping skills.

TO APPLY
Click Apply Now at the top of this page. Please attach a resume cover letter and a list of (at least) three references to your application. The deadline to apply is May 22 2026.

This position is for the Summer semester and requires a minimum commitment of 30 hours per week. Ability to work in-person at the Silver Spring office and at a minimum of 15 hours per week is required.

Summer 2026 interns are expected to begin their internship term by attending an in-person intern orientation on June 1st 2026 from 9:15AM-3:30PM.

We currently offer internships during the following semesters:

Spring: January May
Summer: June August
Fall: September December

Internships are typically posted 2-3 months prior to the anticipated start date.

Note: Internships with the IRC in Silver Spring are unpaid. Summer 2026 interns may be eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15/day to offset the costs of food and travel. For information on scholarship opportunities contact your university or the IRC Silver Spring Community Engagement Coordinator Michalina Kulesza at .

*Candidates applying not enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program and outside of 12 months from graduation are welcome to candidates will be processed as volunteers.

To protect our clients the IRC requires all selected applicants to complete background checks. We ask that you make a $30 donation to help us cover the associated costs. Currently 87% of our funding goes directly to programming to support our clients and your help to cover this cost will ensure that no funding is directed away from serving our clients. Instructions will be provided after you have been selected to intern or volunteer.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race sex color national origin religion sexual orientation age marital status veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity Service Equality and accordance with these values the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding Conflicts of Interest Fiscal Integrity and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection power sharing debate and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of the US these include: 10 sick days 10 US holidays 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure medical insurance starting at $163 per month dental starting at $6.50 per month and vision starting at $5 per month FSA for healthcare and commuter costs a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching disability & life insurance and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race sex color national origin religion sexual orientation age marital status veteran status disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Required Experience:

Intern