Immigration Justice Project - Unpaid Summer Law Fellow

Summer Law Student Fellow

The mission of the American Bar Association (ABA) Immigration Justice Project (IJP) is to promote due process and access to justice at all levels of the immigration and appellate court process by providing high-quality pro bono legal services for those in Immigration Court proceedings. IJP provides direct representation for indigent immigrants and facilitates legal orientation programs for unrepresented immigrants in removal proceedings. IJP focuses its services on immigrants who are detained, under monitoring, suffering severe mental illness, or are members of a vulnerable population in the San Diego region, including unaccompanied minors.

Summer Law Student Fellows are rising 2L, 3L, and LLM students who will assist attorneys in providing pro se assistance and direct representation to immigrants and asylum seekers in removal proceedings before the Immigration Courts of San Diego. Fellows will draft legal arguments and motions, conduct legal research, work with clients to develop evidence, and prepare testimony. They will also learn about the most common forms of legal relief from deportation and assist pro se immigrants in a detention facility to prepare their cases. Fellows will have opportunities to observe immigration court proceedings. IJP's summer fellowship program boasts rigorous training and a range of experience. Foreign language ability and immigration law experience or coursework are required. Students who previously served as legal interns during the semester are preferred.

This position is full-time, 9:00am to 4:30pm, for 10 weeks starting May 27, 2025. IJP's office is hybrid with a minimum of 3 days per week in person and 2 days per week remote.

The American Bar Association is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with the American Bar Association, please call 312-988-5188.