Immigration Intern (Fall 2026- UNPAID)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

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.  Domestically, our 28 offices across the U.S. ensure new arrivals have food, shelter, and clothing, and work with refugees to help them gain self-sufficiency.

SCOPE OF WORK: Immigration intern will work directly with the immigration team assisting IRC clients in preparing applications for adjustment of status to permanent residence, naturalization petitions, family reunification applications, travel documents, renewal and replacement applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Attend Volunteer/Intern Orientation

• Draft USCIS applications (green card applications, naturalization, etc.)

• Contact clients

• Keep and maintain records of immigration files

• Track cases with USCIS

• Organize immigration files

• Prepare invitation letters to IRC clients

• Communicate regularly with IRC staff, keeping the immigration caseworker informed of any changes of schedule that may affect the work

• Follow IRC policy on confidentiality, consider all personal information that intern might learn about clients as confidential

• Work may include some clerical work, such as copying and filing

• Record hours and submit completed timesheet for each month via the IRC’s online Volunteer Dashboard.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate, graduate degree, or recent graduate. Preference for people pursuing a JD

• Preference for candidates to be in-person at the Charlottesville office

• Excellent oral and written English skills, bilingual is preferred but not required

• Willingness to follow the IRC intern and workplace policies, including confidentiality

• Attention to details and timeliness

• Solid computer skills (Excel, MS Word, Immigrant tracking software)

• Commitment to work with refugees, and to learn about people from a broad global environment

This position is unpaid reports to the Immigration Program Manager

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

US Benefits: We offer a comprehensive and highly competitive set of benefits. In the US, these include: 10 sick days, 10 US holidays, 20-25 paid time off days depending on role and tenure, medical insurance starting at $163 per month, dental starting at $6.50 per month, and vision starting at $5 per month, FSA for healthcare and commuter costs, a 403b retirement savings plans with immediately vested matching, disability & life insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program which is available to our staff and their families to support counseling and care in times of crisis and mental health struggles.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.