The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety,dignityand hope to millions. Ifyou'rea solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positivelyimpactingthe lives of millions of people worldwide for a better future.
SCOPE OF CHILDREN’S LEGAL SERVICESLEGAL INTERNWORK: The Children’s Legal Services (CLS) Legal Intern will support CLS attorneys in providing services to unaccompanied youth who entered the U.S. without a parent or legal guardian and who face deportation/removal in immigration court proceedings.
Thelegalinternwill workunder the supervision ofCLSattorneyson specific projectsto provide legal and factual researchand analysisto supportclients’ applications forAsylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS),and other humanitarian forms of reliefsuch asT and U visa applications for survivors of human trafficking and other serious crimes. The legal intern will have an opportunity toassistattorneys in preparing forimmigrationcourthearingsand/or state courtcustody/guardianshipproceedings relevant toSpecial Immigrant Juvenile Status. In addition, the legal intern will have direct clientinteractions to support clients withinitialscreenings,follow-up meetings,drafting theirdeclarations,gatheringand preparing other evidence relevant to their immigration applications. The intern willperformclerical and administrative duties to ensure clientnotes arecurrentandfiles areorganized andkept up to date.
RESPONSIBILITIES
AssistCLSattorneysin providingvariousclientservices including:
Client interviews,follow-upmeetingsand client communications.
Factual, LegalResearchand Analysis.Internwill engage in fact-finding includingcountryconditionsfactual research, legalresearchand analysisofclientcases.
PreparationofTestimony. Internmayassistclientwithinitialdraftingof theirpersonal declarationsand other personal fact-finding relevant to their immigration applications.
Draftimmigration applicationsand legal cover letters/briefsand court motions.
Assiststaff withmonitoring status of clients’ immigration court removal proceedings
Record client notes in case management system and assistlegalstaff withsorting, scanningand filing documentsincase files.
Adhere to IRC policies, particularly those related to confidentiality and client privacy.
Display sensitivity to cultural and personality differences of clients. Respect their beliefs and values.
Other related duties as assigned.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Internwill learn about U.S. immigration law in the context of unaccompanied minors and youth.
Internwill develop problem solving and client services skills
Internwill learn how to manage client cases within established deadlines
REQUIREMENTS:
Minimum 15 hoursor up to 37.5per week; preference for those that can work37.5hours.
Mustbecurrentlyenrolled inan accredited JD or LLM program.
Spanish languageproficiencyis aplus butisnot required.
Strong desireto help immigrantyouthinMaryland
Ability to work independently, exercise good judgment, andhave highattention to detail.
Competency in Microsoft Office, data tracking, and file management
Effective communication skills.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.
Patience, understanding, flexibility, and apositive attitude.
Willingnessto learn about IRC history, philosophy, global work, and local efforts.
Adherenceto IRCcode of conduct,volunteerand workplace policies
This position reports to theManaging Attorneyor SeniorStaff Attorney.
Position Details
IN-PERSON: Fall2026 internships will be hybrid. This includes a combination of standard office environment, remote work, and field time within the greater Baltimore area.Internmust be in person onTuesday Thursday(9 AM – 2 PM) and Friday (9 AM – 3 PM).
DATES: Internships start with a required orientation on Monday, September 14th (approx. 9:30 AM – 3 PM). Regular weekly hours start the week of September 14th, 2026, and will continue through December 18th, 2026 (14 total weeks).
HOURS: Internships require a minimum of 15 hours per week for14 weeks. Interns should be able to come to the office at least 3 days per week.
LAPTOP: Interns will be issued an IRC laptop for the duration of the internship to perform both remote and in-office responsibilities.
REIMBURSEMENT: Internships with the IRC in Baltimore are unpaid. University credit may be arranged.Fall2026 interns are eligible for per diem reimbursement at the rate of $15 per day (defined as 7.5 hours) to offset the costs of food and travel of the internship. Interns may also be reimbursed for mileage driven for any approved activities (based on round-trip mileage from the IRC office).
Application Process
DUE DATE:applyonline at careers.rescue.org by 11:59 PM ET on Sunday, August 30th.
INTERVIEWS: Applicants selected for interviews will be contacted to schedule interviews beginning August 2026.Due to the volume of applications, only applicants who are selected for interviews will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted approximately August 4ththrough August 20th, 2026.
OFFERS: Applicants who have interviewed for positions can expect to receive a decision no later than August 25th, 2026.Confirmations will be due at the latest by August 27th, 2026.
This is an unpaid position and is not eligible for benefits.
Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.
US Benefitsfor Regular Employees: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $143 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicantson the basis ofmerit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status,disabilityor any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS
All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.
Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings
US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.