Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI) Spring 2027 Intern LGBTQ Project

National Immigrant Justice Center; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 19,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Spanish language support

Job summary

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) invites law students to intern in the LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative during Spring 2027. The program offers hands-on experience with asylum, removal defense, and related immigration matters, including intake work, drafting affidavits, and legal briefs.

Fluency in Spanish is strongly preferred, and applicants with trauma experience and the ability to manage multiple projects are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in a law school program with demonstrated interest in immigration law.
• Spanish communication with clients is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and IT systems is expected.

Responsibilities

• Support LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative by conducting intakes and drafting client affidavits.
• Conduct research related to client cases and draft legal briefs and applications.
• Communicate with clients and coordinate with team members on case progress.
• May appear in immigration court or observe hearings as assigned.
• Manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Skills

Problem-solving

Adaptability

Collaboration

Time management

Analytical thinking

Communication

Independent work

Education

Currently enrolled in Law School

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

This is a hybrid position with one day per week required in the Chicago Loop office.

About NIJC

The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) advances human rights and due process for immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers through direct legal services, impact litigation, advocacy, and public education. Headquartered in Chicago with offices in Washington, DC, Indiana, and San Diego, NIJC's team of over 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.

Job Summary

PILI Law Student Interns gain hands‑on experience across a broad range of immigration matters, including asylum cases, removal defense, appeals, immigrant visa petitions, issues affecting unaccompanied immigrant children, and detained immigrant advocacy. Interns work closely with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds and may have opportunities to observe or participate in court proceedings. Fluency in a relevant second language is strongly preferred. We welcome applicants with a demonstrated interest in immigration law, including those with limited prior experience. We particularly encourage applications from individuals with lived experience in immigrant communities, members of marginalized communities, and those from groups underrepresented in the legal profession.

2027 Spring Internship

NIJC is approved to host a law student intern during the Spring 2027 semester for the LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative.

LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative:

The LGBTQ Immigrant Rights Initiative provides legal services to low‑income immigrants who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) and those who are living with HIV. The intern will support the LGBTQ project's legal services by conducting intakes, drafting client affidavits, conducting research related to client cases, drafting legal briefs, preparing applications, communicating with clients, and other tasks as assigned. The intern may have an opportunity to appear in immigration court and/or to observe a hearing. Spanish fluency is preferred, though fluency is other languages will also be considered. Experience working with trauma survivors and the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines is critical.

This intership has a 200 hour requirement for the semester.

Skills & Competencies

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently and proactively solve problems

Qualifications

• Education: Currently enrolled in Law School
• Language Skills: This position requires regular communication with clients in Spanish. Spanish proficiency is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills with attention to detail
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and IT systems

Physical Abilities Statement

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for 50% of the time.
• This position occasionally requires moving about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy machine.

It is the policy of NIJC not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

For any technical issues please contact [e-mail]

Salary: $17.05 per hour