Scam Prevention Intern

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 20,664 - 27,552; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexibility to blend remote work with in-office collaboration

Potential for academic credit or external funding support

Supervised by a licensed attorney

Job summary

The Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota is seeking a Pro Bono Immigration Services Scam Prevention Intern. This role focuses on protecting immigrants from fraud by assisting victims and educating the community about valid immigration service providers. The position offers a hybrid work environment with in-office options.

Ideal candidates will demonstrate strong communication skills and a commitment to immigrant rights and consumer protection. Fluency in English and another language such as Spanish is preferred.

Qualifications

• Fluency in English and at least one additional language spoken by Minnesota immigrant communities.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage follow-up tasks.
• Interest in social justice and consumer protection.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary point of contact for victims of immigration fraud.
• Help community members verify providers' legitimacy.
• Assist in filing reports with relevant agencies.

Skills

Fluency in English

Knowledge of Spanish, Hmong, or Somali

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent organizational skills

Interest in immigrant rights and consumer protection

Job description

Title:ProBonoImmigrationServicesScamPreventionIntern

Location:Flexibleworkenvironmentwithhybrid&in-officeoptions;mayrequirein-personinteractionsbased out of Twin Cities Metro Area

Introduction:ILCM is launching a project to protect Minnesota immigrants from immigration services fraud - a serious problem in which people get scammed for no actual legal services, non-attorneys charge fees for immigration help they are not qualified to provide or provide incorrect or harmful assistance with immigration forms and applications. Victims may lose money, have their cases damaged, or face other serious consequences as a result.

This intern will work directly with Minnesota immigrants in two core ways: (1) helping those who have already been harmed make formal reports to law enforcement and government agencies, and (2) helping community members identify whether the person or organization they are considering hiring is a licensed attorney or a legitimate nonprofit or company authorized to provide immigration services. This is open to Minnesota residents only.

What’s initforyou?

• Theopportunitytomakeanimpactinthecommunityby enhancingopportunitiesforimmigrants and refugees in Minnesota and North Dakota.
  • We believe inharmony with work-life. This role offers the flexibilityto blend remote work with in-office collaboration.
  • Students may be eligible for academic credit or external funding support; supervisor willing toassist.
  • SupervisedbyalicensedattorneyatILCM.

PrimaryResponsibilities

ScamReportingSupport

• ServeasaprimarypointofcontactforMinnesotaimmigrantswhohaveexperienced immigration services fraud.
  • Conductintakeconversationswithvictimstogatherdetailedinformationaboutwhat happened.
  • Helpvictimscollectandorganizesupportingevidence,includingdocuments,contracts, receipts, and communications.
  • Underattorneysupervision,assistvictimsinpreparingandfilingreportswithrelevant agencies, including local police departments, county offices, and the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office.
  • Followupwithvictimsandagenciestotracktheprogressofreports.
  • Maintainorganizedandconfidentialcaserecords.

ScamPreventionandCommunityEducation

• Helpcommunitymembersverifywhetheraproviderisalicensedattorneyingood standingwiththeMinnesotaStateBarortheirrespective StateBar.
  • Assist individuals in identifying legitimate nonprofit organizations and accreditedrepresentativesauthorizedtoprovideimmigrationlegalservices.
    • Providegeneralguidance onwhatconstitutesunauthorizedpractice of immigration law and what warning signs to watch for.
    • SupportILCMstaffindevelopingresourcestohelpcommunitymembersprotect themselves from fraud.
    • Be available to support clients funneled through the MN Immigration Hub (seehttps://www.lawhelpmn.org/minnesotas-immigration-legal-services-hub-initiative )

Qualifications|Knowledge,Skills&Abilities

• Fluency in English and at least one of the following languages: Spanish, Hmong, or Somali.ProficiencyinotherlanguagesspokenbyMinnesotaimmigrantcommunities (e.g., Amharic, Oromo, Karen) is also welcome.
  • Stronginterpersonalandcommunicationskills;abilitytoworkwithindividualswho may be in distressing or vulnerable situations.
    • Excellentorganizationalskillsandattentiontodetail.
    • Abilitytoworkindependently,managefollow-uptasks,andkeepaccurate records across multiple cases.
    • Interestinimmigrantrights,consumerprotection,orsocialjustice.
    • Abilitytocommittothepositionfor6monthsorlongerisstronglypreferred. Commitments of 2 months or less will generally not be considered.
    • MustbeavailabletoserveMinnesotaresidents(remoteandin-person).
    • Nospecificeducational backgroundrequired;studentsandnon-students areequally welcome to apply.

ApplicationSubmission:

• Pleasesendaletterofinterest orcoverletterandresumeto:[e-mail] .Openuntilfilled. In your cover letter, please describe:
• Yourlanguageproficiency(specifylanguageandlevel).
  • Yourinterestinimmigrantrights,consumerprotection,orfraudprevention.
    • Youravailabilityandexpectedlengthofcommitment.
    • Anyotherrelevantinformation.

Notsureyoumeetallthequalifications?Letusdecide!Researchshowsthatmembersofunder-representedgroupstendtonotapplytojobswhentheythinktheymaynotmeeteveryqualification, when, in fact, they often do! We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and stronglyencourage you to apply.