2008 SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
NOTICE TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Immigrants’ Rights Project, NY

The Immigrant Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applicants for the Undergraduate Summer Internship in New York City starting in June 2008.

OVERVIEW:
The Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) is a national project of the American Civil Liberties Union with offices in New York and California. Using targeted impact litigation, advocacy and public outreach, the Project carries on the ACLU’s commitment to protecting the rights and 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.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Project's paralegals and will have the opportunity to work with the attorneys and staff of the Immigrants’ Rights Project on a range of significant issues and projects. The work will include:

• Conducting factual research & providing organizational assistance.
• Responding to written and telephoned inquiries from persons seeking legal assistance.
• Assisting in the production of complaints and briefs.
• Assisting in the maintenance of case files and compiling of press files.
• Other projects as assigned.

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to civil liberties.
• Strong interest in social justice and legal issues.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Must be a self started and demonstrate initiative.
• Ability to perform administrative tasks as well as research and writing.

Our summer internship requires a 10-week commitment, with the opportunity to continue into the next semester. This position is part to full-time with weekly hours negotiable. The number of interns accepted varies. Interns are highly encouraged to obtain funding from outside sources, as the position is unpaid.

HOW TO APPLY:
The summer application deadline is May 1, 2008. Submissions received after these dates are considered only if space is available. Please send cover letter, resume and a non-fiction writing sample of no more than 5 pages to immjobs@aclu.org - reference [IRP Summer Undergraduate Internship] in subject line – or by mail to:

Immigrant’s Rights Project
RE: IRP Summer Undergraduate Internship
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Thank you for your interest in the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. 

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.