2007 FALL LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION FOUNDATION
IMMIGRANTS’ RIGHTS PROJECT, NY

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project seeks interns for the school year of 2007. Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union, with national offices in New York and Washington and 53 affiliates across the country, is America’s foremost advocate of individual rights.

OVERVIEW:
The Immigrants’ Rights Project is a national project of the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation with offices in New York and California. Using targeted impact litigation, advocacy and public outreach, the Project carries on the ACLU’s historic commitment to protecting the civil rights and civil liberties of immigrants. In federal district and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, the Project conducts the nation’s largest impact litigation program dedicated to defending and expanding the rights of immigrants, enforcing the guarantees of the Constitution and achieving equal justice under the law.

The Project has focused on challenging laws that deny immigrants access to the judicial system, impose indefinite and mandatory detention and constitute discrimination on the basis of “alienage” by governmental and private entities. In addition, the Project has been challenging post-9/11 practices, including litigation against Secretary Rumsfeld and military commanders for torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan, FOIA litigation to disclose government documents about such torture, suits challenging selective enforcement and other forms of discrimination, and the use of “enemy combatant” and “material witness” designations to impose detention without trial.
Our Education program is focused on reaching out to the immigrant community and addressing the effects of “vigilante” actions around the country as well as the impact of the recent REAL ID legislation.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Working closely with IRP staff, interns assist in all aspects of litigation including legal research, factual investigation, and drafting of memoranda, affidavits, and briefs. Interns may also assist IRP staff in providing assistance and advice to ACLU affiliates, private attorneys, and others who seek our help; screening potential cases; and researching or drafting materials for public education. Interns will attend regular staff and supervisory meetings.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• One year of law school must be completed before beginning the internship.
• Commitment to civil liberties and immigrants’ rights and an interest in working toward racial and social justice.
• Strong writing and research skills.

Internships are full-time or part-time. Part-time internship positions require a minimum commitment of six hours per week. Internships are for credit only. Arrangements can also be made with the student's law school for work/study stipends.

HOW TO APPLY:
Send a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to:

Legal Internship Selection Committee
ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004-2400
Or by email to: ImmRights@aclu.org.

Students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, as interns are selected on a rolling basis.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.