Refugee & Migrant Immigration Intern

BACKGROUND

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a leading non-sectarian non-profit

organization providing emergency relief, protection, rehabilitation assistance, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict. The IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity, and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. This year, the IRC in Oakland will be resettling international refugees from Afghanistan, Burma, Eritrea, Syria, among others. Domestically, our 29 offices across the U.S. work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency and ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and overall gain self- sufficiency.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

IRC's Immigration Department assists and provides case management to

refugees/asylees/immigrants/ to petition for family members to join them in the U.S., apply for

American citizenship, green card, work authorization, travel document, and more forms of

immigration benefits. The IRC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide

immigration legal services.

SCOPE OF INTERNSHIP:

The Immigration Intern will work closely with IRC Immigration staff to who provide legal services to

clients seeking assistance with various immigration forms along with support in case management.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understanding the pipeline to citizenship (Includes; screening for eligibility, completing

applications, prepare and explain the IRC immigration process along with the USCIS immigration

process to legal permanent residents)

• Understanding basic immigration law

• Be able to contact appropriate government agencies such as USCIS or NVC when needed for

ongoing case management

• Keep track of client information by utilizing data tracking software

• Mastering the day-to-day operations of a non-profit immigration department

(Includes: mailing/filing/fielding phone calls and inquiries)

COMMITMENT:

• 15 – 30 hours per week

• Six months minimum commitment

• IRC is committed to working with student schedules. We will accommodate time off necessary

for midterms and school holidays and altering weekly schedules to adapt to changing class

schedules.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist clients with filling applications for citizenship, travel documents, family reunification, etc.

• Serve refugees and asylees in reuniting them with family, obtaining green cards and

obtaining naturalization

• Assist DOJ accredited representative with following up on applications, such as contacting National

Visa Center and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

• Maintain clients’ applications and ensure they received important documents that require follow-up

from USCIS

• Provide referrals, file maintenance, data entry, mailing, and other miscellaneous office duties

• If applicable, join team in office to work on file management

• Set-up and conduct intake and immigration intakes virtually

• Support in virtual workshops across the region

INTERNSHIP REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding client information.

• Strong verbal and written skills in English; Punctual and reliable.

• Spanish, Tigrinya, Dari/Farsi, and Pashto speakers highly desirable.

• Strong intercultural communication skills; demonstrated ability to work effectively with

people from other cultural backgrounds.

• Work from the office at least once a week and may be asked to travel to any of our other three

offices in Northern California to support with workshops or events.

INTERN QUALIFICATIONS:

We require that candidates have the following qualities:

• Must demonstrate relevance to career development and/ or higher educational goals (life or

work experience may be substituted for higher education)

• Strong communication skills (both interpersonal and with supervisors)

• Possess a great attention to detail and organizational skills

• Strong sense of personal initiative and be able to work independently in a fast-paced office

• Computer literacy with PC systems and software

• Experience working with multi-cultural populations

• Ability to adjust as needed to changing circumstances