Undergraduate Internship, Detained Adult Program - Know Your Rights (KYR) in Washington, District of Columbia at Amica Center for Immigrant Rights (Amica Center)

At Amica Center for Immigrant Rights, we confront the impact that the unjust immigration system has on our clients and communities through direct legal representation, impact litigation, education, and client-centered advocacy. We engage in unwavering legal defense and strategic litigation for immigrants facing detention or deportation, regardless of background, because everyone has the right to be free, safe, and supported. 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

Amica Center seeks undergraduate students with a passion for advancing immigrants’ rights to be part of our internship program with the Know Your Rights (KYR) Team, housed within the Detained Adult Program. The KYR Team works with hundreds of adults detained by ICE each year, providing information and support to people who are unrepresented. We provide trauma-sensitive, client-centered services, and deeply value our clients’ autonomy as they navigate the fundamentally inhumane immigration system.

We are currently accepting intern applications for Fall 2026. Our Fall Internship program asks for a commitment of at least 20-35 hours a week during normal working hours (Monday – Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM ET) for at least 12 weeks, starting on or about August 31, 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 Fall 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 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.

In-Person Position: An internship with our KYR Team requires in-person support and therefore we can only consider applicants who are local and can come into the office regularly. 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:

• Enter intakes and messages from jail visit onto our client database
• Assist with preparation and breakdown for monthly jail visit. [Please note that this requires the intern to be in the office at least twice a week, though we welcome people to be in office more than that].
• Provid support to our detention hotline which includes: answering calls, transferring to legal representatives or programs and on occasion answer questions for individuals
• Research political, economic, and social country conditions articles for asylum applicants without an attorney
• Prepare informational materials distributed at each jail visit
• Prepare documents for filing in immigration court

Occasional Responsibilities:

• Participate in bi-weekly breakdown and review of intakes from jails/detention centers
• Attend training opportunities within the office
• Shadow trial prep and other various case follow up on a jail visit, through video teleconference, phone, or written messages
• Expand our country conditions database
• Observe immigration court hearings
• Filing and other administrative assistance as needed
• OPTIONAL: Attend a jail visit with the KYR team

Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program
• Must be 18 or older
• Spanish High/intermediate skills or fluency is required
• Ability to work well both individually and as part of a team
• Ability and/or prior experience relating to and working with low-income clients with histories of trauma and/or previous interactions with the criminal justice system is a plus.
• Detail oriented
• Self-starter

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.

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for the internship, please fill out the application link on our website 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
• Optional: 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.

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Internship application will be open until Friday, July 31.

See above.