Jobs and Careers
KI
Legal Intern (Pro Bono Scholar)
Kids in Need of DefenseNew York City, United StatesinternshipVerifiedPosted 22 Nov 2023
About the role
About KIND:
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.
KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.
To address the root causes of child migration from Central America, and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.
KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.
Position Summary:
KIND seeks a Pro Bono Scholar, in the New York field office, for the Spring semester of 2024 (approximate dates are 03/04/2024-05/27/2024) to support the released and/or detained programs in providing pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings, and/or before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and/or state court proceedings. The exact hours and schedule will be discussed during interviews or prior to the start of the internship. The anticipated start date for this internship is March 04, 2024. The Pro Bono Scholar must commit to 12 weeks for 45 hours each week. This internship is unpaid but provides academic credit. We are happy to assist with work-study and funding from external sources is welcomed.
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 670 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country.
KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services.
To address the root causes of child migration from Central America, and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit.
KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.
Position Summary:
KIND seeks a Pro Bono Scholar, in the New York field office, for the Spring semester of 2024 (approximate dates are 03/04/2024-05/27/2024) to support the released and/or detained programs in providing pro bono legal representation to unaccompanied children in immigration court proceedings, and/or before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and/or state court proceedings. The exact hours and schedule will be discussed during interviews or prior to the start of the internship. The anticipated start date for this internship is March 04, 2024. The Pro Bono Scholar must commit to 12 weeks for 45 hours each week. This internship is unpaid but provides academic credit. We are happy to assist with work-study and funding from external sources is welcomed.
Essential Functions:
- Supporting the direct representation of unaccompanied children: Prepare legal filings, such as motions, affidavits, briefs, and/or applications or petitions for relief including: asylum; state court petitions in support of Special Immigration Juvenile Status (SIJS); SIJS petitions ; U-visa petitions; T-visas applications; work authorization applications; and prepare for hearings or interviews before immigration court and/or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Client Engagement: Schedule legal screenings with prospective child clients, adult sponsors, and/or other agencies; observe and conduct legal screenings; draft case summaries and routine client correspondences.
- Legal Research: Research current trends in immigration and family law, other federal laws that may affect unaccompanied children, and country conditions ; and draft memoranda of law.
- Case Management:; Maintain case data management system through data entry, such as tracking court hearing dates and deadlines case activities, client communications, and case referrals
- Develop Sample Materials: Prepare and update sample USCIS and immigration court filings, training materials, pro bono guides, and practice advisories.
- Programmatic Support: Participate in special projects for KIND attorneys and staff.
- Translation and Interpretation: Interpret at client meetings or legal screenings; and translate documents, such as birth, marriage, death certificates, client correspondences, or other Spanish-written documents.
- Meetings: Attend weekly virtual staff meetings, legal trainings, and presentations, if available.
- Community Outreach: Present Know Your Rights presentations at resource fairs, schools, and in other community settings.
Qualifications and Requirements:
- Must be currently enrolled as a 3L in an accredited JD or LLM program.
- Must be taking the February 2024 New York bar exam.
- Fluency in Spanish and English (oral and written).
- Exceptional academic credentials, strong writing skills, and attention to detail.
- Experience in immigration and family law is strongly preferred.
- Experience working with children and survivors of trauma is preferred.
- Must be passionate about issues affecting unaccompanied immigrant children.
- Ability to work within an office environment and have regular interaction via telephone, videoconference, IM, and email with KIND's team.
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