2008 FALL INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
NOTICE TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION
Immigrants’ Rights Project, NY

The Immigrant Rights Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) seeks applicants for the Undergraduate Fall Internship in New York City starting in September 2008.

OVERVIEW:
The Immigrants’ Rights Project (IRP) is a national project of the American Civil Liberties Union with offices in New York and California. Using targeted impact litigation, advocacy and public outreach, the Project carries on the ACLU’s commitment to protecting the rights and liberties of immigrants. In federal district and appellate courts, including the Supreme Court, the Project conducts the nation’s largest impact litigation program dedicated to defending and expanding the rights of immigrants, enforcing the guarantees of the Constitution, and achieving equal justice under the law.

The Project has focused on challenging laws that deny immigrants access to the judicial system, impose indefinite and mandatory detention, and constitute discrimination on the basis of “alienage” by governmental and private entities. In addition, the Project has been challenging post-9/11 practices, including litigation against Secretary Rumsfeld and military commanders for torture and abuse of detainees in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan, FOIA litigation to disclose government documents about such torture, suits challenging selective enforcement and other forms of discrimination, and the use of “enemy combatant” and “material witness” designations to impose detention without trial.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Interns will work under the direct supervision of the Project's paralegals and will have the opportunity to work with the attorneys on a range of significant issues and projects.

The work will include:

• Conducting factual research
• Assisting the department with daily administrative tasks
• Screening telephone and written inquiries for individuals seeking legal assistance
• Assisting in the production of complaints and briefs
• Assisting in the maintenance of case files and compiling of press files
• Other projects as assigned

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Commitment to civil liberties
• Strong interest in social justice and legal issues
• Excellent writing, communication, and research skills
• Demonstrated initiative to see projects through to completion
• Ability to perform administrative tasks

Our fall internship requires a 12-16 week commitment, with the opportunity to continue into the next semester. This position is part-time with weekly hours negotiable. The number of interns accepted varies. Interns are highly encouraged to obtain funding from outside sources, as this internship is unpaid. School credit may be available.

HOW TO APPLY:
Fall applications will be accepted until positions are filled. Please send cover letter, resume and non-fiction writing sample of no more than 5 pages to immjobs@aclu.org - reference [IRP Fall Undergraduate Internship] in subject line (also indicate whether you are interested in interning in New York City or San Francisco) – or by mail to:

Immigrant’s Rights Project
RE: IRP Fall Undergraduate Internship
American Civil Liberties Union
125 Broad Street, 18^th Floor
New York, NY 10004

Thank you for your interest in the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project. If you have additional questions, please call the Internship Coordinators, Katie Traverso, at (212) 549-2621 or ktraverso@aclu.org (for New York) or Jessica Paz-Cedillos (for San Francisco, California), at (415) 343-0772 or jpaz-cedillos@aclu.org.

The ACLU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals.