INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF THE EAST BAY

Legal Immigration Department Internship Program

Position: Intern (unpaid)

Ideal position for a college student considering law school and/or future work with immigrants

Reports to: Managing Attorney and/or Staff Attorney

Description of Organization:

The International Institute of the East Bay, in operation since 1919, provides legal and social services for immigrant and refugee communities in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Institute’s mission is to act as a resource for immigrants and refugees; enabling them to achieve self-sufficiency; and to promote mutual appreciation and understanding within the community.

The Institute’s Legal Department provides high-quality assistance to low-income immigrants. The program currently provides information and services to over 1,500 people each year from Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Services include workshops and one-on-one consultations, assistance in filing family petitions and citizenship applications, and aiding battered women without legal status to “self-petition” through Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) applications.

Job description:

Interns will provide the following support to the legal staff by a combination of the following activites: (specific assignments depend on time and ability of the intern, and the positions available in the Institute):

• Serve as the first point of contact for clients that call or walk into the Institute, which requires:
• Identifying what the client needs and determining whether we can assist them
• Making appointments for clients with the appropriate Institute staff member if appropriate, or providing referrals to the client to other agencies
• Assist with administrative tasks related to preparation of petitions and other departmental work, including but not limited to photocopying, faxing, filing, preparing mailings, word processing, etc.

Optional depending on time and commitment and skills of intern

• Under supervision of a Staff Attorney, interns may also:
• Translate documents and interpret attorney-client meetings

• Assist with preparation of petitions and filings for submission
• Assist in document gathering and preparation of evidence
• Assist with intake and assessment of new clients applying for services from the Institute

• Assist clients in filling out forms and application
• Assist in drafting declarations (statements) from clients

Requirements:

• Current enrollment in accredited post-secondary institution
• Minimum time commitment: 4 hours per week for 10 weeks
• Suggested time commitment: 8-20 hours per week
• Good people skills and sensitivity to social and cultural dynamics
• Fluent in Spanish and English, strongly preferred
• Interest in empowering the immigrant and refugee community
• Previous office experience preferred, but not required

Interns will be given training generally on immigration law and procedure, and general office skills. Further training will be provided if interns take on greater responsibilities in assisting with case or document preparation. Interns will gain wide exposure to a variety of issues and needs in diverse immigrant communities, and different kinds of immigration law cases. Interns will also gain insight into the legal profession, in particular how non-profit legal services work, and if interested, can be provided with career counseling on law (especially public interest law) as a career.

To apply:

Send your resume and cover letter outlining your interest in working with IIEB’s legal department to Managing Attorney Susan Bowyer:

Email: sbowyer@iieb.org

Fax: (510) 465-3392

Mail: 449 15^th Street, Suite 201, Oakland, CA 94612