Undergraduate Internship- Detained Adult Program, Direct Representation

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights • Undergraduate Legal Intern • Remote • 3w ago

Description

Who We Are

The Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition is now Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (“Amica Center” for short). Click here to learn more about our new name. Since our founding in 1999, we have grown significantly and added new services to support immigrants in detention. Recently, Amica Center has outgrown our name, expanding beyond our initial services and geographic boundaries.

“Amica” is the Latin word for “friend,” and that echoes the way we approach what we do. Just as friends stand with one another, Amica Center stands with our clients to achieve the safety, stability, and opportunity we all deserve.

We are the only non-profit organization in the Washington, D.C. area that is exclusively focused on providing legal assistance to adult and child immigrants detained by the government in the Capital Region and beyond.

Position Summary

The Amica Center for Immigrant Rights is seeking undergraduate students with a passion for advancing immigrants’ rights to be part of our internship program for the Detained Adult Program (DAP). The Detained Adult Program works with hundreds of adults who are detained by ICE in Maryland and Virginia, providing information, support, and legal representation. We provide trauma-sensitive, client-centered services, and deeply value our clients’ autonomy as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system. The Detained Adult Program is comprised of three sub-programs: The Legal Orientation Program, Universal Representation Program, and the National Qualified Representative Program.

We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2026. Our Summer Internship Program asks for a commitment of 35 hours a week for at least 10 weeks, starting on or about May 26, 2026.

Applicants from historically underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply. If relevant, please discuss in your application how your background motivates your interest in this position or otherwise affects your career goals.

Internships are unpaid; however, Amica Center can assist students seeking internship credit or funding.

Scholarship Opportunity:

Amica Center for Immigrant Rights invites all prospective interns to apply for the Amica Center Scholarship for the Summer 2026 semester. Amica Center will distribute four $1,000 tax-free* scholarships to eligible interns for the primary purpose of educational and professional development. To learn more, please visit https://amicacenter.org/join-the-fight/careers-internships/.

*Scholarship funds are intended to be used to pay for tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance at an educational institution, or for fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses at the institution. Scholarship recipients are advised to speak to a tax-expert and report the scholarship funds in their gross income to the IRS.

Remote Work:

To keep our internships accessible to all students regardless of geographic location, this Summer 2026 internship may be remote. We encourage applicants from local law schools and those from outside the D.C. area to apply. There is no requirement that interns conduct any in-person work during their internships, but interns may have the opportunity to appear in or observe court in person. There will be opportunities for in-office work, in-person meetings, and events with staff and fellow interns in compliance with Amica Center’s COVID-19 policies.

General Duties and Responsibilities:

Undergraduate Interns will provide invaluable administrative and programmatic support to our staff at the Detained Adult Program. This internship offers exposure to immigration law and current immigration issues.

Conducting individualized country conditions research for asylum and other protection-based cases;
Assisting in the preparation of applications for immigration relief and other forms related to the immigration case such as FOIA requests;
Assisting with interpretation and translation;
Assisting with our hotline for detained adults;
Obtaining criminal and medical records and collecting other evidence in support of clients’ cases;
Communicating with clients and their family members via telephone;

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for the internship, please fill out the application link below and attach the following materials in .pdf format to your Paylocity application.

A cover letter indicating your interest in the position. Please describe what experiences, personal and professional, have motivated you to apply.
A resume;
At least 2 references; and
A writing sample. In addition to legal memoranda and briefs, research papers and articles are accepted. Only one writing sample is required and preferred.

Please apply to ONLY ONE department within Amica Center. For example, if you apply for this internship with the Immigration Impact Lab, please do not also apply for an internship with the Detained Adult Program. Please choose the department that best matches your preference, skills, and experience.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Interviews may be scheduled and offers given before the deadline, so please apply as soon as you are able.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: February 15, 2026

Requirements

Qualifications:

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program;
Ability to commit 15-20 hours a week;
Spanish fluency;
Strong interest in human rights, social justice, and immigration rights issues;
Excellent research and writing skills;
Willingness to complete administrative work;
Ability to work independently and within a team;
Ability to relate to and work with low-income clients with histories of trauma and/or previous interactions with the criminal justice system is a plus.

Required Resources:

A laptop or computer (*);
Reliable internet; and
A phone

*Amica Center may be able to provide access to a temporary laptop as needed.

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