Founded in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is a leading non-profit organization (501(c)3) in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. NILC’s mission is grounded in the belief that everyone living in the U.S. regardless of race, gender/gender identity, immigration status, or economic status — should have equal access to justice, resources, and educational and economic opportunities that enable them to achieve their full human potential. Together, NILC and the affiliated NILC Immigrant Justice Fund (IJF), a 501(c)4 organization, work to advocate more directly for federal immigration reform policies. NILC is committed to advancing its mission — which intersects race, immigration status, and class — through racial, economic, and gender justice and equity orientation.

NILC seeks to achieve just laws and policies that address systemic inequities, create narrative and culture change for an inclusive and equitable society, and build a healthier and more powerful movement. For more information, please visit www.nilc.org. and www.immigrantjusticefund.org/

NILC is at a moment in its organizational trajectory, supporting our five-year strategic framework and scaling the organization and its work through influencing systems, policy advocacy at the federal and state levels, engaging in movement and power building, and narrative and culture strategies in addition to continuous improvements to our operational model. We are looking for entrepreneurial, results-driven, relationship builders who are committed to NILC’s mission and values of racial justice & equity, valuing diversity, fostering partnerships & collaboration, encouraging respect & personal well-being, and striving for transparency, integrity, and honesty.

FirstGen Advocacy Internship is a ten-week summer internship for first generation undergraduate students who are passionate about pursuing careers in social justice and immigration advocacy. The internship’s mission is to identify, support, and advance emerging first-generation immigrant justice leaders. Interns gain hands-on experience working on immigration issues as full-time public policy and social justice advocates, while also receiving opportunities for professional development Additionally, we strive to provide students with a  greater community of advocates by offering opportunities to connect with established immigration and social justice leaders, including other first generation professionals.. 

Each intern will work with various teams across the Advocacy department while primarily focusing on projects within the Policy and Strategic Partnerships & Campaigns teams. Depending on the needs of the organization, there may be opportunities to work with our Litigation & Legal Strategy and Strategic Communications teams as well. This is a full time internship that pays $18/hour. NILC’s work week is 35 hours.

Internship dates are June 2, 2025 through August 8, 2025.

Potential responsibilities included:

• Research and analyze policy and legislation
• Support in drafting materials that can include: summary reports, policy memos, fact sheets, public comments, hearing statements, or blogs
• Attend internal and external partner or Congressional meetings, briefings, hearings, and webinars
• Occasional administrative support including note taking, data entry, and presentation preparation
• Other duties as assigned

Requirements

• For this internship, first generation students are those whose parents or guardians did not complete a four-year bachelor’s degree.
• Commitment to NILC's mission of defending and advancing the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their loved ones. Previous experience in the immigrants' rights movement or social justice is highly preferred, but not required.
• Strong desire to pursue a career in the public / nonprofit sector.
• Remote work locations are as follows: (Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin).  To be considered, applicants must currently live in one of the work locations.

To Apply

• Applications consist of a resume and short essay answering the following question:
  • Why are you interested in pursuing an advocacy internship with the National Immigration Law Center?
• The application period for The FirstGen Advocacy Internship begins April 4th. Interested students are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible, but no later than May 5th. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.