Legal Intern, Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (Special Projects) – Fall 2025
Human Rights First
Contract
Remote
Legal Intern - Fall 2025
The withdrawal of the U.S. military from Afghanistan led to the arrival of tens of thousands of Afghans in the United States. In response, Human Rights First created Project: Afghan Legal Assistance (PALA) to coordinate U.S. legal organizations, law firms, resettlement agencies, and other stakeholders to provide legal representation for Afghans in the U.S. PALA is working to assist Afghans and their immigration attorneys navigate the complex processes for finding safety in the United States. PALA is looking for interns to support client and program services provided to the Afghan refugee population.
How will the intern make a difference in the Human Rights space through this internship?
Interns will gain valuable experience working with vulnerable populations, assist with their immigration applications before USCIS and the Immigration Court, and have an opportunity to be a part of a nation-wide coalition working on similar issues. Interns will be able to positively impact newly-arrived Afghans in helping secure them legal status and safety in the US, and assist them in petitioning for their family members to join them.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Intern responsibilities include assisting staff members in meetings with clients, conducting screening and intake interviews with potential clients, and drafting case summaries.
- Interns will work with staff at Human Rights First to draft and edit documents including declarations and other legal advocacy for asylum seekers to submit for review.
- If the intern speaks a relevant second language fluently, interpretation may be involved and other duties and special projects as assigned.
- Interns will assist with preparing and filing forms for Human Rights First’s clients, including asylum applications, family reunification petitions, and applications for permanent residency.
- Interns will have opportunities to attend legal training, advocacy groups, coalition calls, and discussion panels
Desired Skills and Experience
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines at once
- Excellent computer and online research skills, including familiarity with word processing and spreadsheet applications
- Dedicated interest and passion for immigration advocacy and protecting the rights of migrants
- Data management experience is an asset
- Experience working with vulnerable populations and survivors of trauma
- Ability to work collaboratively with staff, clients, and community organizations
- Motivated to work independently/remotely
- Initiative and enthusiasm
- Dari/ Pashto fluency (reading and writing) is a plus, but not mandatory.
- Previous immigration legal experience is an asset.
Education: Enrollment in an accredited JD or LLM program..
Compensation: Unpaid
Start Date: September 2, 2025
Compensation: Unpaid
Start Date: September 2, 2025
End Date: December 5, 2025
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours/week
Submission Deadline: July 28, 2025
Application Instructions: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample, all in PDF.
Application Instructions: Cover Letter, Resume, Writing Sample, all in PDF.
Human Rights First is committed to recruiting, retaining, and developing staff from a diversity of backgrounds, including members of racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, people of all nationalities, and veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. We believe that a diverse staff and an inclusive work environment that welcomes a range of perspectives make us stronger and more effective.