Legal Volunteer Intern – Civil Division, Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) (Spring 2027)

The Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) litigates immigration cases on behalf of the United States in the federal district courts and courts of appeals. District Court litigation involves a wide range of immigration, nationality, civil-immigration detention, and related issues, including programmatic and class action challenges to visa determinations and agency policies, as well as affirmative denaturalization actions. Appellate Court litigation addresses whether an individual is removable from the United States and often presents complex questions of constitutional law, statutory interpretation, and criminal law. OIL attorneys draft briefs and dispositive motions, appear for oral argument and trials, and coordinate with other components of the executive branch to promote the uniform application of the immigration laws.

Law student volunteers in the Office of Immigration Litigation (OIL) will work closely with attorney-mentors on assignments that mirror the Office's district court and appellate practice. Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting legal research and drafting memoranda on immigration, nationality, detention, and related issues
• Drafting briefs and other pleadings for filing in federal courts, including dispositive motions and appellate submissions
• Assisting with case preparation and litigation strategy, including reviewing records and supporting trial and oral argument preparation
• Preparing and delivering a moot oral argument before a panel of experienced OIL attorneys
• Attending OIL trainings, Division-wide programs, tours, and networking events, as schedules permit
• Observing "first cuts" meetings where OIL leadership considers whether to seek further review in cases decided adversely to the government

The Spring 2027 internship program is expected to begin in mid-January.

Eligibility Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required
• Must be a current second- or third-year student at the time of internship
• Must have completed at least one year of law school by the start date of the internship
• Must be a current law student enrolled at least half-time at an accredited U.S. law school
• Must have a cumulative law school GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Must be able to successfully complete a background check and any required security forms
• Must be able to commit to a part-time (20 hours per week) or full-time (40 hours per week), in-person schedule for at least 10 weeks during the Spring 2027 term

Current 1Ls, law school graduates, and LL.M. students are ineligible for this unpaid volunteer internship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills
• Demonstrated interest in immigration law or national security
• Sound judgment, professionalism, and strong attention to detail
• Effective interpersonal and oral communication skills

Submit the following materials as a single PDF file to the Intern Leadership Team at oil-gla.internprogram@usdoj.gov with the subject line:

[LAST NAME], [FIRST NAME] – OIL Spring Internship Application

Required materials:

• Cover letter
• Resume (not to exceed two pages)
• Law school transcript (unofficial accepted)
• 5–10 page legal writing sample
• Undergraduate transcript (unofficial accepted) — optional

Application materials that do not adhere to these requirements (including format and file naming) will not be considered.

Additional Information

• Please do not apply if you will not be available for the full internship period
• Selected candidates will be required to complete security forms and a background check

Positions are unpaid. OIL will work with law schools to ensure Volunteer Legal Interns receive academic credits for their work. Transit subsidy available for in-person commuting.

The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and treating employees with fairness, dignity and compassion. We must ensure that no applicant for employment or employee of our Department is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex – including pregnancy – or because of age, physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor and that all have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field. To learn more, please view the Department’s full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.

Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://help.usajobs.gov/working-in-government/non-citizens). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.