Summer 2020 Immigrants Rights Internship

Summer 2020 Criminal Justice Internship 

Location: San Francisco, CA or Fresno, CA office
Deadline: Please apply early in the hiring cycle as decisions are made on a rolling basis.

The ACLU-NC invites applications for internships for law and policy graduate students in the Legal-Policy Department. Students willing to work with intensity and focus will find an internship at the ACLU-NC a rewarding learning experience. Qualified applicants are enthusiastic, creative, and detail-oriented; have excellent research, writing, and oral communication skills; and, can articulate a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU. 

About the Legal-Policy Department

The Legal-Policy Department pursues cutting edge impact litigation and promotes policy change in order to defend and expand the civil liberties and civil rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The work of the Department covers a vast span of issues with particular emphasis in ten core areas: Criminal Justice, Education Equity, Equality (including economic, environmental, and racial justice, in addition to gender equality), First Amendment, Immigrants’ Rights, LGBT Rights, National Security, Reproductive Justice, Technology and Civil Liberties, and Voting Rights. The Department’s attorneys, policy directors, and assistants are based in San Francisco, Sacramento-metro office, and Fresno. Department staff work closely with the other departments within the ACLU-NC, including Organizing & Community Engagement, Communications, Development, Finance & Administration, as well as with ACLU of California Center for Advocacy and Policy in Sacramento.

Immigrant Rights Internship 

The Immigrant Rights Intern will assist with projects to ensure that the civil rights and civil liberties of immigrants, refugees, asylum-seekers, and other Californians under federal, state, and local law. Interns will have the opportunity to conduct legal and policy research, as well as draft memoranda, legal filings, policy reports and other materials that further the litigation and advocacy work of the Immigrant Rights team. Interns will participate in staff meetings and strategy meetings with coalition partners and assist in fact-gathering for local, state, and federal advocacy efforts through litigation, Freedom of Information Act and Public Records Act requests, field interviews, and other strategies. 

Applicants must currently be enrolled in law school or a graduate program in public policy or a related field. Applicants must demonstrate a passion for immigrant rights and a commitment to work for social justice and the ideals of the ACLU. This internship is only available for the San Francisco or Fresno office.

Application Process

Summer Internships 

Summer internships are full-time for 10 – 12 weeks and usually begin the day after Memorial Day. “Split” summers may be considered where the intern is available for a minimum of 10 weeks. Part-time internships are not available during the summer.

For summer internship funding, students should seek available funding through their schools. For students coming from schools that do not offer summer funding or who do not obtain adequate school funding, the ACLU-NC will consider providing funding to students, as available.

Application deadlines

Applicants are encouraged to apply early in the hiring cycle as decisions are made on a rolling basis.

• Spring term: Applications will be accepted beginning September 15 for the following spring term.
• Summer term: Applications will be accepted beginning October 15 for the following summer term.
• Fall term: Applications will be accepted beginning March 5 for the following fall term.

How to apply

Applications from all interested students are welcome. Applications must include the following in PDF format: (1) Cover Letter that includes a statement about (a) a brief statement about why you want to work on that issue at the ACLU-NC, (b) the office location you are interested in (applicable only to Litigation and Immigrant Rights intern applicants), and (c) how you encountered the internship opening; (2) Resume; (3) Writing Sample; and, (4) List of References with contact information.

 Please apply here: https://boards.greenhouse.io/aclunc/jobs/4489030002

The ACLU of Northern California advances equity and inclusion in the workplace by providing equal employment opportunity to support a work environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age (over 40), sexual orientation, military and veteran status, arrest or conviction record, and any other basis prohibited by law. The organization also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. This equal employment opportunity policy applies to all aspects of employment, including recruitment, selection, advancement, training, problem resolution, and separation from employment. Through this policy, the ACLU-NC strives to establish and maintain an equitable and accessible work environment that is supportive and free from discrimination.