Jeff Metcalf Fall 2025 Metcalf Clinic - National Immigrant Justice Center
This internship is part of the University’s Jeff Metcalf Internship Program. Click here to learn more about the program, its benefits, and the UChicago community of supporters. By applying to this internship you agree to follow the Student Recruiting Guidelines. This position is not benefits eligible.
Please make sure that if selected for an interview, you communicate to your prospective host organization/employer where you will be physically located during the internship as your location may affect your (or your host organization/employer’s) ability to pursue this opportunity.
If you are an international student, please make sure to visit the OIA website to familiarize yourself with your work authorization eligibility and requirements as soon as possible. If you’d like to make an appointment with your international adviser, please visit this page.
Internship Time Commitment: Fall Quarter, 8 weeks, ~5-10 hours/week
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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 100 attorneys, paralegals, and professionals, along with 2,000 pro bono attorneys, is at the forefront of immigration reform.
The NIJC is seeking fall Metcalf Clinic interns to work with the development and communications or legal department. In your cover letter, please indicate which department you are most interested in.
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Development and Communications
Development and Communications internship at the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) offers hands-on experience in major fundraising campaigns, donor relations, and digital engagement strategies. This dynamic internship focuses on contributing to NIJC's Annual Appeal while developing skills in content creation, data analysis, and donor stewardship in support of social justice work. This part-time internship is hybrid, with approximately two-thirds of the time expected to be spent in NIJC’s downtown Chicago office and the remainder with the option to work remotely.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Annual Appeal Support: Collaborate with Development and Communications teams to plan, research, and execute NIJC's year-end fundraising campaign
- Data Management and Analysis: Assist with data entry, analysis, and maintenance in NIJC's Constituent Relationship Management system and online engagement tools to ensure accurate donor records
- Donor Communications: Draft and develop engaging content for fundraising appeals, newsletters, blog posts, and other supporter touchpoints that highlight NIJC's impact. Use NIJC's online engagement tools to set up and schedule emails and other content as needed.
- Social Media and Digital Content: Create and schedule compelling social media posts and digital content to promote the Annual Appeal and NIJC's impact, and to maximize online engagement
- Donor Relations: Assist in managing relationships with existing supporters, researching current and prospective donors, and conducting donor outreach and stewardship activities
- Content Coordination: Work with program staff to gather, edit, and organize client and volunteer stories that showcase NIJC's work
Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a degree in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Nonprofit Management, or a related field
- Strong attention to detail with ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Interest in nonprofit fundraising, donor relations, and social justice work
- Basic understanding of digital marketing and social media platforms a plus
- Familiarity with content creation tools and fundraising software/databases a plus
- Experience or interest in data analysis and CRM systems preferred but not required
For Undergraduate Students: Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program with an interest in social justice, law, or immigration issues.
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Legal
NIJC seeks fall interns interested in gaining hands-on experience with immigration law. Our internships are ideal for individuals passionate about working with immigrant populations and eager to contribute to meaningful legal work. Interns will assist with various tasks related to immigration benefit applications, client interactions, and legal research.
When applying, please indicate your project of interest.
Immigrant Legal Defense Project:
Undergraduate interns will work with clients to complete immigration applications for family-based or protection-based relief, including adjustment of status, family petitions, U visa, VAWA self-petitions, TPS, DACA, naturalization, and applications for relief in removal proceedings. Undergraduates may also assist with workshops helping individuals prepare applications for relief before USCIS and the immigration court. Undergraduates further support our pro bono projects and community-based work in Chicago.
Non-Detained Kids Project
Undergraduate interns conduct projects including: conducting legal screenings for children and their parents/custodians, conducting legal research to support asylum claims and/or protections for unaccompanied children, and interviewing clients for the purpose of drafting declarations. The intern may have the opportunity to assist with USCIS filings and draft legal memos for immigration court. This is a hybrid position requiring some in-person work at the Chicago office. Spanish fluency required.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist with client interview to gather necessary information for immigration applications
- Assist clients in completing immigration benefit applications, including filling out USCIS forms and collecting required supporting documents
- Draft written declarations with clients to support their immigrations cases
- Help prepare and organize immigration benefit applications, ensuring all required documentation is submitted
- Complete document translations for clients as needed
- Assist with administrative tasks and special projects, contributing to the efficient operations of the office.
Qualifications:
- Strong attention to detail, ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
- Bilingual candidates, especially in Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply
For Undergraduate Students: Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate program with an interest in social justice, law, or immigration issues.
Physical Abilities Statement
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time
- The person in this position occasionally needs to move about the inside of the office to access filing cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Consistently 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.