The Immigrants’ Rights Project, a national project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) with offices in New York and California, seeks legal intern applications for the summer of 2008.

OVERVIEW
Using targeted impact litigation, advocacy and public outreach, the Immigrants’ Rights 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.

The Education component of the Project provides information about immigrants’ rights to immigrant communities nationwide. The Project works with the English and non-English language media, immigrant advocacy organizations and ACLU affiliates around the country to empower immigrant communities through presentations about their rights as well as current and proposed immigration laws.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Working closely with IRP staff, including one or more staff attorneys, legal 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 meetings. The summer internship is full-time and will run for 10-12 weeks.

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.

COMPENSATION
Summer interns are highly encouraged to seek public interest fellowships to fund their internship.
Arrangements can also be made with the student's law school for work/study stipends. Summer interns may be eligible for a stipend if they are unable to secure funding.

HOW TO APPLY
Students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, as decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Suggested application submission periods are as follows:

• 2Ls applying for Summer 2008 should apply between September 4, 2007, and November 15, 2007.
• 1Ls applying for Summer 2008 should apply between December 1, 2007, and January 15, 2008.
  

Send a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, list of references, and transcript to the office in which you wish to work. If you are interested in both offices, please apply separately to each and indicate that you have done so in your cover letter.

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.

The ACLU comprises two separate corporate entities, the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation are national organizations with the same overall mission, and share office space and employees. The ACLU has two separate corporate entities in order to do a broad range of work to protect civil liberties. This job posting refers collectively to the two organizations under the name “ACLU.”