Immigration & Custom Enforement Internship/Externship
Internship/Externship Opportunities
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Office of the Principal Legal Advisor
Erie Gulf Region
Memphis, TN
Positions Available:
Spring and Summer 2027 Law School Students
(Volunteer or Academic Credit) Number of Positions TBD
Deadlines To Apply:
Spring 2027 applications will be accepted until November 13, 2026.
Summer 2027 applications will be accepted until March 12, 2027.
Job Description: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has (in-person) internship openings with the Memphis (TN) Office of the Principal Legal Advisor for spring and
summer of 2027. Placement is available at any of our four offices (New Orleans, Louisiana/Jena/Baton Rouge, Louisiana/Oakdale, Louisiana/Memphis, Tennessee. All law students who are United States citizens are eligible to apply. Prior knowledge of
immigration law is not required. The internship is an unpaid volunteer position. Students may be able to coordinate with their law school to receive academic credit.
The Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA) provides legal advice, training and services required to support the ICE mission while defending the immigration laws of the U.S. in the administrative and federal courts. Pursuant to section 442(c) of the Homeland Security Act, OPLA is the exclusive legal representative for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is the component within the Department of Homeland Security’s
(DHS’s) Office of General Counsel that is authorized to represent the U.S. government in all exclusion, deportation and removal proceedings before the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
The projects assigned will vary based on the office’s current caseload, but some potential projects include: litigating cases as student attorneys before the Immigration Court, preparing litigation briefs, motions, and exhibits, reviewing charging documents for legal sufficiency, compiling information on human rights conditions in countries around the world, drafting briefs for administrative appeals, and researching novel issues of immigration and criminal law.
Working closely with immigration prosecutors, students will be able to develop their research, writing, litigation, and analytical skills while expanding their understanding of immigration law. The internship will provide students with opportunities to explore
criminal and immigration law issues in the context of administrative proceedings.
Throughout the internship, students will be able to observe and then litigate removability and relief hearings, and gain insight into the roles of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the private bar.
Application:
An applicant’s request for consideration should include the following documents:
Cover letter;
Resume;
Writing sample (under 10 pages); and
Law school transcript (unofficial).
The cover letter should explain why you are interested in an externship with OPLA. The letter should also include the number of hours per week you are able to devote to the externship position and your law school’s specific requirements for an intern position if
academic credit is requested.
All application packages should be sent to: NOL-OPLA-INTERNS@ice.dhs.gov
• Subject Line: “2027 Spring Externship – [NAME]” or “2027 Summer Externship – [NAME]”.
Externship Program Requirements:
Students selected for an Externship will be required to complete the following forms as well as undergo a security screening:
Student Volunteer Services Agreement
Three sets of fingerprint cards (#FD258)
E-QIP Information Form
Law School Enrollment Form: Students will be required to provide official documentation to verify the student’s current enrollment in law school. The enrollment form must contain credit hours and the law school’s imprint.
Official Law School Transcript
Questions regarding the Volunteer Intern Program should be directed to NOL-OPLAINTERNS@ice.dhs.gov. For additional information about our office, please visit our web site at http://www.ice.gov
