Legal Internships
The Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) is a nonprofit organization that provides free immigration legal services to individuals in immigration detention and to children and their families throughout Colorado. RMIAN is comprised of three substantive pillars: (1) The Detention Program advocates on behalf of people held at the privately-owned civil immigration detention facility located in Aurora, Colorado: (2) The Children’s Program provides free legal representation to immigrant children and their families who have experienced abuse, neglect, abandonment, trafficking and violence; and (3) The Social Services Project offers wrap-around support to people who are detained, formerly detained, or children and families in need of tools to navigate accessing services in the community. RMIAN is committed to providing educational opportunities for law students interested in pursuing professions in the field of immigration advocacy. As a result, RMIAN hosts law student interns for the fall, spring and summer terms. The organization requests the following commitments:
Fall: 12-20 hours per week, from the end of August to the end of November
Spring: 12-20 hours per week, from the end of January to the ending of April
Summer: 40 hours per week, for 10 weeks, from mid-May to mid-August
RMIAN is willing to alter start and end dates, but exercise strong preference for the stated hours per week. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
RMIAN is offering two full-time, paid summer internships for current law students during Summer 2024. This paid internship opportunity ($8,000) is for law students who work full time for 10 weeks from RMIAN’s office based in Westminster, Colorado. The internship will take place during 10 weeks from mid-May through mid-August, depending on and flexible around academic calendars. Applications for summer internships are due February 28, 2024 and selection will be made by March 15.
During the fall and spring semesters, this is an unpaid internship. Applicants are encouraged to seek alternative funding sources. Many students receive credit for work completed at RMIAN through their law school program.
The Ideal Candidate is:
Dedicated to immigration legal services and committed to working with vulnerable populations, in particular individuals in detention, and children and families.
Aware of and devoted to fighting against systematic inequality.
Has a demonstrated commitment to antiracism, and promotes equity, justice, an inclusion at the organization internally and externally.
Motivated to learn and apply trauma informed lawyering.
Currently enrolled in an immigration law course or previously completed the course.
Dual/multi-lingual demonstrating high proficiency in the non-English language (Spanish speakers encouraged to apply).
A strong researcher, writer, and problem solver.
Is team-oriented and works in collaboration with RMIAN staff members with a focus on advancing RMIAN’s mission.
Is skilled at building rapport with clients/pro se litigants and their support networks. Demonstrated cultural competency is essential for serving RMIAN’s diverse client population.
Responsibilities May Include:
Researching and briefing legal questions related to immigration law, family law, criminal law on the federal and state level.
Assisting legal service providers with individual case tasks, including but not limited to drafting memos, briefs, declarations, collecting evidence.
Preparing applications and filings for federal agencies, such as the Department of Homeland Security’s subagencies and the Department of Justice Executive Office of Immigration Review.
Conducting legal intakes with individuals detained at the immigration detention center in Aurora, Colorado.
Conduct legal and factual research to determine individuals’ eligibility and sustainability of cases for referral.
Working directly (remotely) with clients.
Attending team meetings with RMIAN staff and engaging in legal strategy on immigration cases.
Engaging in community education and collaborating with advocacy based organizations and other service providers.
Other administrative tasks.
You Will Gain:
Knowledge about the immigration legal system.
Engage in hearing observation and/or participation before the Denver and/or Aurora Immigration Courts.
Cultural awareness of RMIAN clients and the immigrant community.
Integration of immigration law and intersecting legal fields, such as criminal and family law.
Experience in a nonprofit work setting.
If this profile calls to you, please send in your resume, a writing sample not exceeding ten pages, and a tailored, authentic cover letter that explains:
Why RMIAN’s mission excites you
Your preferred program—Detention or Children’s
Why this particular role is a great fit for you
Send to: hr@rmian.org in one PDF file.
RMIAN is an equal opportunity employer and recognizes the importance of diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from people of color, immigrants, women, members of the LGBTQ community, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. RMIAN does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, or veteran status. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment free from discrimination.