LEGAL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Spring 2008
American Civil Liberties Union
Immigrants’ Rights Project, NY and CA offices

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project seeks legal interns for the Spring 2008 semester. 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.

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.

Working closely with IRP staff, 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.

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.

Interns will work with one or more of our staff attorneys. Semester internships are full-time or part time. Part-time internship positions require a minimum commitment of twelve hours per week. The Spring IRP internship is for credit only.

HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants should send a cover letter, resume, legal writing sample, list of references, and transcript to the office in which you wish to work.

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.