The Immigration Legal Assistance Program (ILAP) at Ascentria Care Alliance currently seeks applicants for law student spring 2024 internships.

ILAP provides free and low-cost immigration legal assistance to indigent and low-income refugees and immigrants in New England, with a focus on Central and Western, MA. Our services include applying for various types of immigration relief such as asylum, U (crime) & T (trafficking) statuses, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), deportation/removal defense, marriage visas, DACA & Temporary Protected Status (TPS), cancellation of removal, family-based petitions, permanent residency, employment authorization, and citizenship, among other related types of assistance.

Duties under supervision of an attorney or DOJ accredited representative:

  • Research country conditions and legal issues.
  • Write legal memoranda.
  • Meet with client and draft client declarations to support immigration applications.
  • Assist with preparation of immigration petitions including Special Immigration Juvenile (SIJ) and humanitarian or family-based applications.
  • Support ILAP Legal Director and/or other ILAP staff as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Committed to immigrant and social justice; immigration legal experience preferred but not required.
  • Currently enrolled in a JD or LLM program.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong attention to detail.
  • Ability to work well independently and be a self-starter in a deadline driven environment.
  • Demonstrated language proficiency is highly valued (Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Haitian Creole or Pashto/Dari) but not required.

Work: 20-30 hours per week (flexible); unpaid.
Location: This opportunity is hybrid. Internship is located at either our Worcester, MA or West Springfield, MA office; intern will be able to meet regularly in person with our legal staff.
Term: Position intended to last approximately 10 weeks beginning end of January/ beginning of February.
Application: Apply directly on Handshake or send a resume and cover letter to Kaylah Connor, Program Manager at KConnor@ascentria.org

ILAP firmly believes diversity has the power to enhance our organization, making our work more effective and successful. People of color, LQBTQI+ individuals and individuals from diverse backgrounds or immigrant communities are strongly encouraged to apply. ILAP does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic background, citizenship status, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age or disability.