SUMMER INTERNSHIPS 2020
GRANGER & WENATCHEE
https://nwirp.org/jobs
OVERVIEW:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is the only nonprofit organization providing comprehensive immigration legal services to immigrants with low income across Washington State. NWIRP promotes justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education.
We provide services to Washington State residents in affirmative and defensive immigration cases. We also serve persons detained at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
Our work focuses on:
• Asylum: Helps people who face persecution in their home countries in applying for asylum, and assists asylees and refugees in applying for permanent resident status and petitioning for their family.
• Children & Youth Advocacy: Helps children and youth seek Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, asylum, & DACA
• Family Services: Promotes family unity and stability by assisting with family visa applications and waivers.
• Impact Litigation: Works for systemic change through individual and class-action lawsuits.
• Legal Orientation Program (in Tacoma): Provides immigrants who are detained with essential information about court procedures and available options for legal relief through group "Know Your Rights" orientations, individual consults, pro se (self-help) workshops, and referral of cases to pro bono attorneys.
• Naturalization: Assists immigrants and refugees, particularly elderly and/or people with disabilities, obtain citizenship, including seeking disability waivers from the required English and civics tests.
• Removal Defense: Represents individuals, who are either detained or non-detained, facing removal proceedings in immigration court and other agencies.
• VAWA: Assists immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and other crimes in obtaining U & T visas and other immigration benefits derived from the Violence Against Women Act.
COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVITY, EQUITY, AND REPRESENTATION:
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP) is an equal opportunity employer committed to having a diverse staff, board, and volunteer base reflective of the communities we serve and that enhances our ability to create a vibrant environment where all members of the NWIRP community thrive. We strongly encourage applications from people of color, immigrants (including individuals who were formerly detained, undocumented, or who have navigated the immigration legal system), women, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
It is the policy of NWIRP to comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws prohibiting employment discrimination. NWIRP is committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. NWIRP does not discriminate on the basis of class, race, color, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, political ideology, age, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability. Excepting any undue hardship, NWIRP will provide reasonable accommodations upon request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.
ABOUT NWIRP:
NWIRP is a nationally-recognized immigration legal services organization with four offices in Washington State. Our mission is to promote justice by defending and advancing the rights of immigrants through direct legal services, systemic advocacy, and community education. NWIRP provides direct legal representation and assistance in immigration matters to over 20,000 people with low incomes from over 160 countries, speaking over 70 different languages. NWIRP challenges unjust policies through high-impact lawsuits, and advocates for laws and policies that respect the rights of immigrants.
INTERN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under attorney supervision, interns will assist with case matters before the Immigration Court, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of State consulates and embassies. Specific duties and responsibilities vary depending on office and unit placement. Generally, for all offices, interns’ responsibilities may include:
• Identifying legal issues and potential forms of relief for immigrants;
• Drafting legal briefs in support of applications for relief;
• Preparing applications, motions, and other filings with immigration courts and agencies;
• Drafting client declarations and gathering evidence in support of applications;
• Appearing in immigration court proceedings;
• Conducting intakes with individuals;
• Participating in workshops and other community education and outreach events; and
• Performing various administrative tasks as needed.
ELIGIBILITY – MULTIPLE POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Positions are available at offices in Granger and Wenatchee and are open to first, second, and third year law students. Applicants should have excellent written and oral communication skills, an interest in immigration law, an ability to work in a diverse and fast-paced work environment, and a commitment to advancing and defending the legal rights of low-income immigrants and refugees. Spanish fluency is required.
One internship in each of the Granger and Wenatchee offices are eligible for a $6,000 stipend (before tax). Wenatchee’s stipend is funded by NWIRP and Granger’s stipend is funded by the Laurel Rubin Farmworker Justice Fellowship. NWIRP will work with all summer interns to secure outside funding or academic credit if needed.
TO APPLY:
Submit application (with resume and cover letter) at https://forms.gle/yAEQy4CnG9uhQUH17
Offers are made on a rolling basis, so early submission is recommended.
Please see posting.
Please see posting.