Legal Navigation Internship, Spring 2025

ABOUT US

With the exception of immigration detention facilities, the United States lacks a formal system to address the needs of asylum seekers and other underserved newcomers. AsylumWorks was created to bridge this gap. 

Founded in 2016, AsylumWorks provides culturally and linguistically appropriate services to help newcomers meet their basic needs, participate in immigration legal proceedings, and access opportunities needed to integrate into their new communities. Direct client services are free and available to individuals and families living in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia, regardless of language, country of origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, or gender expression. To scale our impact beyond the National Capital Region, AsylumWorks creates and shares expert tools and training resources to support newcomer-serving organizations nationwide.  

INTERNSHIP DESCRIPTION

AsylumWorks is seeking an intern to provide practical assistance to our Legal Navigation program, enhancing client service and programmatic functioning in support our our mission on a volunteer basis. This opportunity is ideal for a driven law student seeking experience in immigration legal services for asylum seekers and other forced migrants. This volunteer internship will allow participants to connect meaningfully with AsylumWorks staff and support critical immigration legal services for AsylumWorks clients. The Legal Navigation Program Manager will supervise the internship. 

AsylumWorks also recognizes that pursuing a law degree is a pivotal time for students to learn their professional goals and develop the skills needed to enter the professional sphere. While this internship is unpaid, the intern will have the opportunity to propose an individual project that can add additional value to their professional portfolio outside of the internship duties. 

This is a hybrid internship; we are seeking an intern who can work approximately 8-16 hours per week starting from January to May 2025, with one day per week in office. The option to extend the internship through to the Spring semester may be available. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Client Services

• Support partnership management by reviewing partner reports and data. 
• Support the facilitation of the Know Your Rights training on immigration-related laws and issues provided by licensed immigration lawyers. 
• Assist the client in translating legal documents in different languages by sending them to the translation service providers. 
• Support the program manager in researching legal frameworks relevant to AsylumWorks programs. 

Administrative

• Organize and contribute to the development of the Legal Navigation Manual. 
• Organize client legal documentation, including legal referrals and tracking sheets. 
• Update the client personal wellness index (PWI) on the client database 2

REQUIREMENTS

• Current law student with experience or a focus of study in immigration law, human rights law, paralegal studies, or a related field; 
• Demonstrated commitment to AsylumWorks’ mission, vision, and values; 
• Willingness to provide hands-on administrative support;
• Strong organization and time management skills; 
• High level of initiative, resourcefulness, and thoroughness;
• Ability to work independently as well as part of a team; 
• A demonstrated awareness of cultural humility; 
• An inherent desire to improve, create, and problem-solve; and
• Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including eligible booster doses, or proof of medical exemption. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Interested candidates should send a resume and letter of interest to [email protected] with the subject line Legal Navigation Program. Immigrants and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. 

A Note to Potential Candidates: Studies have shown that women, immigrants, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ community are less likely to apply for positions unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not think you meet every one of the qualifications as described. 

AsylumWorks is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.