Ray D’Uva Legal Services Intern, Community Justice Project

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker religious organization that promotes lasting peace with justice, as a practical expression of faith in action. Drawing on continuing spiritual insights and working with people of many backgrounds, we nurture the seeds of change and respect for human life that transform social relations and systems.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

TITLE: Ray D’Uva Legal Services Intern, Community Justice Project

JOB CATEGORY: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

STATUS: Part-Time 10 hours per week (approximately 150 hours)

TYPE OF EMPLOYMENT: Temporary through May 2026

DIRECT SUPERVISOR: Managing Attorney

REGION/UNIT: US/Northeast

LOCATION: Newark, NJ USA Hybrid.

DATE APPROVED: August 2021 REVISION DATE: December 2025

BACKGROUND

The American Friends Service Committee promotes a longstanding Quaker concern for the causes and impact of human migration. AFSC’s New Jersey Immigrant Rights Program integrates legal services, advocacy, and organizing, and provides legal representation in challenging immigration cases while also ensuring that immigrant voices in New Jersey and beyond are heard in policy debates. Since 1996, AFSC has provided legal counseling and representation to thousands of immigrants, including people in detention, youth, survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, asylum seekers, and individuals who have faced long struggles to obtain legal status. AFSC also conducts training sessions and education to immigrant communities, social service providers and attorneys in New Jersey

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Ray D’Uva Legal Services Intern will work with and under the supervision of AFSC Immigrant Rights Program Community Justice legal services staff to conduct intakes with immigrants for eligibility for humanitarian and family-based forms of immigration relief; provide critical support in removal defense cases; prepare applications for submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS); assist with legal research and writing; and work with clients to gather information and documents needed in support of their immigration cases. The internship will offer the opportunity to observe and participate in immigration court proceedings, as well as USCIS interviews as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Assist in or conduct intakes to determine eligibility for immigration benefits such as asylum, withholding of removal, protection under the Convention against Torture, cancellation of removal, VAWA, U Visa, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status or other immigration relief.
• Provide support in removal defense cases and observe and participate in immigration court proceedings, as appropriate.
• Research legal issues and prepare country conditions documents.
• Draft briefs and legal memoranda.
• Gather documentation and assist with application preparation.
• Translate documents or assist with interpretation, as necessary.
• Participate in Immigrant Rights Program and other AFSC meetings.
• Meet regularly with supervisor.
• Regular attendance and punctuality are required.
• Operates safely in all conditions and follows policies and procedures.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

SUPERVISORY / MANAGEMENT REQUIREMENTS

NA

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Current law school student required. Rising 2L or 3L in law school preferred.
• Minimum one year of personal experience with immigration law and or policy is preferred.
• Fluency in a foreign language (Spanish preferred) in addition to English preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends and to travel, as required.
• Ability to work effectively independently and within a team environment.
• Experience with standard Microsoft Office and related technology.
• Must be capable of working under tight time constraints in a high-volume environment with multiple priorities.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.
• Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
• Respect for and sensitivity to cultural, ethnic, racial, gender and religious diversity and familiarity with non-violent approaches to problem solving.
• Ability to organize, plan ahead and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

COMPENSATION

The AFSC offers a competitive Total Rewards package. This position is Salary Family: Intern Job Code Intern Starting Hourly Rate $20. There are no medical, dental, or life insurance benefits, short-term or long-term insurance benefits with this position. AFSC does participate in unemployment, worker’s compensation, and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity within our organization. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This position is not represented.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities. The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.