Call for Applications: Semester-Long Internship Opportunities in Migration Justice at The Ark at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST)

The Fordham Initiative on Migrants, Migration, and Human Dignity, with generous funding from the Cummings Foundation, seeks applications from Fordham undergraduate and graduate students for one semester-long paid undergraduate internship at the Ark at CBST. Founded in 1973, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah is the largest LGBTQ+ synagogue in the world. The Ark at Congregation Beit Simchat Torah (CBST) provides pro se legal assistance to asylum seekers in NYC, many of whom are LGBTQ and/or HIV+.

Compensation: $2250, plus $250 transportation stipend (10-12 hours/week over the remaining 12-week semester)

Time Commitment: February 2025-May 2025. Students will complete 140 hours over the semester (approximately 12 hours/week).

To apply, please complete this form by February 10, 2025. First-round candidates will be screened by a panel of Fordham faculty/staff. Finalists will be interviewed directly by Ark at CBST staff.

For details, please see internship descriptions below. Any questions, please contact Prof. Carey Kasten, kasten@fordham.edu.

The Ark at CBST: Asylum Seeker Accompaniment Intern

Position Description
This is a temporary internship. Asylum seekers in immigration court removal proceedings only have a right to counsel at no cost to the government. Many asylum seekers are forced to defend themselves pro se – by themselves – in complicated legal proceedings. The Asylum Seeker Accompaniment Intern will learn to accompany asylum seekers through this process by attending immigration court hearing and assisting in the preparation of applications for relief. The intern will report to Noah Habeeb, Immigration Clinic Director, and will work with agency staff to engage with and learn about the community and the social inequities affecting their accessibility to physical, mental, and emotional health. The schedule will include Wednesday evening remote legal clinics via Zoom (6:00-8:00PM); Friday in-person Employment Authorization legal clinics (10:00AM-2:00PM), and weekly court accompaniments (clexible). This role provides a $2,250 stipend for a commitment of 140 hours over the semester (approximately 10 hours/week).

Job Responsibilities

• Complete immigration court accompaniment and legal clinic trainings
• Attend immigration court hearings with asylum seekers and accompaniment leaders
• Participate in weekly remote asylum legal clinics via Zoom on Wednesdays from 6:00-8:00PM
• Participate in monthly in-person Employment Authorization Document (EAD) legal clinics on Fridays from 10:00AM-2:00PM
• Complete screening phone calls in English and Spanish to recently arrived asylum seekers
• Assist legal clinic staff in completing administrative tasks including copying, scanning, printing, and data entry
• Deliver information using culturally appropriate terms and concepts, including LGBTQ cultural competency

Requirements and Qualifications

• Good communication and interpersonal skills: writing and speaking in English and Spanish is required
• Flexibility; ability to respect and adjust to different customs, cultures, and priorities
• Willingness to learn and interact with immigrant communities
• Experience with Microsoft Office, Google Suite, Zoom, Airtable, and ability to learn our custom database software

Other Skills/Requirements

• Previous experience working with high-need priority populations is preferred
• Language skills – in addition to proficiency in Spanish, other language skills are desirable
• Flu and COVID Vaccination is highly recommended