NSLD provides oversight and support for immigration removal proceedings and criminal investigations and prosecutions involving terrorists, foreign intelligence agents, and other threats to national security, and works with other DHS components, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of State, and the Department of Justice on legal and policy matters involving national security. NSLD also provides specialized support, including reviewing administrative appeals and providing general legal and operational advice to Homeland Security Investigations on national security matters, including the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, which oversees the enforcement and administration of laws involving F- and M-nonimmigrant students.

NSLD seeks applicants that possess a demonstrated interest and experience in national security and immigration matters. Applicants should possess strong interpersonal, writing, communication, organizational and team skills.  Clinical and/or doctrinal instruction in immigration law or national security law is preferred but not required.  Applicants must be a 2L, 3L, 4L, or LLM candidate by the start of the internship; a U.S. citizen; and be able to pass a background check.  Applicants should demonstrate the ability to work independently and in a team setting as the internship may take place in person in Washington, D.C. or remotely.  Remote interns will be furnished PIV readers to access personal laptops via DHS PIV.

Interns will serve as a member of the NSLD team to support the NSLD portfolio, which includes:

  • Specializing in cases involving international terrorism, counterterrorism, espionage, immigration visa fraud, and other immigration-related national security matters and provides assistance to 25 OPLA field locations across the country on administrative removal and federal litigation cases with national security implications. 
  • Regularly commenting on proposed regulations, high-level briefing papers, congressional inquiries, and cases in federal and district courts.
  • Frequently collaborating with Department of State and Department of Justice.  

NSLD interns assist NSLD with legal research and writing, reviewing briefs and legal filings, researching legislative history, researching country conditions, and researching terrorist organizations.

Application Requirements: If interested,please send a cover letter in the body of an email expressing interest in the position not to exceed 500 words and one attached document in .pdf format that includes:

  1. Resume (must include name, mailing address, email address, contact number);
  2. Transcript (official or unofficial, with proof of 2.5 or greater GPA);
  3. Legal writing sample (5 pages or less); and
  4. Two references, one of whom is not a law school professor. 

This package should be emailed to OPLA-NSLD@ice.dhs.gov.

  • In the subject line of the email, please write “NSLD Spring Internship”
  • Application materials must be received by 5:00 PM on September 29, 2023.

If you have further questions and need to discuss with a coordinating attorney, please email OPLA-NSLD@ice.dhs.gov and someone will respond to you promptly.