Background: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading non-sectarian, voluntary organization providing relief, protection, and resettlement services for refugees and victims of oppression or violent conflict.  The Suburban Washington Refugee Center, where the IRC’s Silver Spring resettlement office is located, has resettled more than 2,000 new refugee arrivals, providing them a fresh start and opportunities to use their greatest resources—their motivation, their skills and their experiences—to become independent and self-sufficient new Americans.  Currently, the IRC Silver Spring resettles and/or provides assistance to over 700 refugees and asylees each year. 

Scope of work:  IRC's Immigration Department in Silver Spring, Maryland, provides high quality, low-cost immigration services, including filing applications for adjustment of status (i.e., green cards), work Authorization, naturalization, and family reunification for refugees, asylees, and Victims of Trafficking immigrants and other immigrants. 

Responsibilities: 

Responsible for going through client immigration documents and assisting clients with requirements for consultations and application sessions with legal staff. Answer client questions regarding immigration services, and, when necessary, refer clients to the appropriate IRC staff member. General administrative support, including tracking, filing, and mailing relevant documents, applications, and notices of action. Under the guidance of the supervising Immigration Services Manager, assist in putting client information updates in Lolly Law database. Assist clients with document translation, authentication, presentation and completion. Provide special assistance to clients with particular needs. Promote the IRC’s immigration department through online and local networks. Research immigration issues, polices and programs Build partnerships with local agencies to improve systems of providing immigration services. 

Learning Objectives: 

Gain Exposure to local refugee and asylee community. Understand the various immigration processes and procedures refugees and asylees encounter. Gain understanding of online databases such as Lolly Law. Experience working in a multicultural office environment.