Fall 2026 Immigration Intern - UNPAID

About the role

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

The International Rescue Committee (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 28 U.S. cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC in Atlanta office was established in 1979 and has resettled over 30,000 refugees from over 65 countries into the Greater Atlanta area.

As the largest refugee resettlement agency in Georgia, the IRC in Atlanta resettles an average of 1,000 refugees into Georgia annually and provides additional services and assistance to another 2,500 refugees and asylees.

Scope of Immigration Casework Intern Work

The International Rescue Committee's Resettlement office in Atlanta provides its clients with assistance in filing immigration applications, which will allow refugees and newly-approved asylees to travel, become permanent residents and then citizens of the United States. Please note that all internship positions are unpaid.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive intake and needs assessment
• Assist clients to complete applications for various immigration benefits (I-131, I-485, I-765, N-400, I-134) and prepare these for review by the Community Integration Manager, and/or Senior Legal Representative
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date files and detailed case notes on Immigration services to clients, enter required data in a timely manner into databases, and meet all case reporting requirements within established deadlines and standards for final review by a legal staff
• Make service requests and refer case follow ups to caseworkers for complicated cases
• Prepare response for I-485 RFE's
• Assist clients in drafting response on missed USCIS interviews or those who need rescheduling
• Assist clients in making NVC payment
• Conduct File review monthly and address any matter with Managing Attorney
• Assist legal staff in making copies and creating new files
• Assist in Citizenship Workshops
• Complete change of address forms with CIS
• Help maintain the filing system for immigration petitions filed with IRC in Atlanta
• Submit intern hours on volunteer dashboard
• Other duties as needed and assigned by immigration legal staff

Learning Objectives

• Students will develop an enhanced professional skill set, interact with other interns, clients and supervisors remotely and contribute to projects while in the comfort of their own space
• Students will learn data collection and data management methods for program development and reporting
• Students will gain knowledge of USCIS administrative procedures by processing receipts and correspondence from USCIS
• Students will have hands own experience in filling out applications
• Student will gain knowledge of the types of immigration benefits available to refugees and asylees and the steps involved in applying for these benefits
• Apply academic learning to real-world projects and assignments
• Develop workplace skills and acquire specific experience needed to pursue professional goals

Qualifications

• Prefer students or recent graduates with interest and experience with USCIS forms
• Must have reliable work hours and able to commit 3 days a week (9-5)
• Able to work independently and under pressure with multiple tasks and competing deadlines
• The ideal candidates are independent, detail-oriented, and highly organized
• Attention to detail and procedure
• Work or volunteer experience with foreign populations, especially African or Middle and Near Eastern
• Bilingual in client languages including Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, or French is beneficial, but not required
• Computer literacy, preferably with PC systems
• Knowledge of immigration forms beneficial, but not required
• Applicants must be open to evolving responsibilities

Requirements

• Must submit intern hours on volunteer portal.
• Must pass a background check.
• Commitment of 15 hours per week for a minimum of 3 consecutive months.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States. Please note that we are unable to provide sponsorship for a US work authorization.

This is an in-person role. This role will report to Legal Assistant IMM Core Services.

• The internship will be filled on a rolling basis.
• We will continue to accept applications until August 14th, 2026, or until the position is filled, whichever occurs first.
• Internship will begin the week of September 8th, 2026.

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.

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.