Asylum & Human Rights Legal Intern - Fall 2026 (Remote)

Legal Intern - Fall 2026 Human Rights First in the N.Y. office seeks motivated legal interns for Fall 2026 to assist in providing pro bono legal representation to asylum seekers before the N.Y. Asylum Office and Immigration Courts. Interns will work directly with clients on interviewing and document drafting and collaborate with attorneys on case strategy. Opportunities to work on direct representation cases include legal strategy, forms completion, advocacy, legal research, and brief writing. Human Rights First is dedicated to inclusivity and will assist interns with externship credit, work‑study, or securing funding from external sources. This unpaid position will support the N.Y. team of HRF and may be performed remotely. A computer and internet connection are required. People of color, women, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBT community are encouraged to apply. How you will make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship? Legal interns meaningfully contribute to the Refugee Representation program, providing legal assistance to asylum seekers who cannot afford an attorney and need help with a claim for asylum or other humanitarian-based forms of immigration relief. Interns actively engage in furthering Human Rights First mission of working in the United States to promote respect for human rights and the rule of law. Through direct engagement with refugees, legal interns assist in furtherance of clients’ cases, applying their legal skills to the advancement of human rights. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Engage in client interviewing, conduct intake interviews, and draft case summaries. Work with Human Rights First staff on asylum cases, supporting draft declarations, briefs, legal memoranda, and other legal advocacy efforts. Assist with preparing and filing forms for affirmative immigration relief with Human Rights First clients, including asylum applications, family reunification petitions, employment authorization applications, temporary protected status, and applications for permanent residency. Conduct legal research in developing areas of immigration law and country conditions for analysis and reporting. Attend legal trainings, advocacy groups, and discussion panels in the greater N.Y. area and virtually. Desired Skills and Experiences Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and creative problem‑solving with the ability to manage multiple deadlines. Legal research and writing skills, particularly in immigration law, administrative law, federal law, and federal regulations. Dedicated interest and passion for immigration advocacy, direct client representation, and protecting the rights of migrants. Experience working with vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma. Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, and community organizations. Motivated to work independently to manage multiple tasks and deadlines. Fluency in a second language, particularly Spanish, is a plus. Education Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program. Compensation Unpaid. Submission Deadline July 31, 2026 Start Date September 8, 2026 End Date December 11, 2026 Time Commitment 30 hours per week. EEO Statement Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective. #J-18808-Ljbffr Human Rights First