Immigration Intern
International Rescue Committee
Address: 3516 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
Site Supervisor: Laura Brown, BIA Accredited Representative
E-mail: Laura.Brown@Rescue.Org
Tel: 410-558-3260
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee responds to the worlds worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. At work in over 40 countries and 22 US cities to restore safety, dignity and hope, the IRC leads the way from harm to home.
Immigration Program
The Immigration Program helps qualified clients obtain Lawful Permanent Residency (LPR), also known as thier Greencard. They also work to help qualified LPR apply for Citizenship. We assist with the application and help clients use the resources available in the Balitmore area to study and prepare for the Naturalization Interview. We work to obtain fee waivers for as many clients as possible to avoid making our clients pay the USCIS fee's. The IRC also works to reunite families who have been separated.
Immigration Intern
February 2015 - present
As an intern in the Immigration Department, I focus mainly on helping clients apply for their Greencard and Citizenship. Currently I have met and consulted with over twenty clients. I signed and sent my first greencard application on 3/4/2015 and it was extremely exciting. I signed and sent my first citizenship application on 3/25/2015. I am in the office Monday and Wednesday from 9am-5pm and I have usually around two to three appointments per day. During my time at the IRC I met with nearly 40 clients from over 14 different countries. I sent 9 green card applications and 8 citizenship applications.
What Have I Learned?
Interpreters/Language Barriers
I knew in the beginning that the language barrier between the clients and myself was going to be a struggle. For the most part the clients have good enough English that eventually I can figure out what they are saying. However, I have needed to use an interpreter a few times. It is a different experience working with an interpreter and it can provide both benefits and challenges when working with the client. You don't get to build the typical relationship with the client because everything needs to be translated for them. It can also be difficult for the interpreter to get everything across to the client in a way they understand. You would be surprised how many people don't understand the term "Birth Certificate."
Law Logix
We use the online software program caleld Law Logix to keep track of all of our cases. It allows us to input the client's information and then, for the most part, it fills out the forms for us. There are a ton of glitches with the system and I am still working to figure them all out . It is a great tool to have, but you really need to practice with it to get the hang of what you are doing.
Reviewing Case Files
In the beginning I reviewed a lot of old case files and rewrote case notes so they could be officially closed. I spent a lot of time reading through the different files and learning about the diffferent applications and the potential mistakes that can mean the difference between and application taking six months and two years. Having this experience before starting on my own, I feel that I am extra aware of some of the simle and easy mistakes that can happen. I also, very quickly, became an expert at writing case notes.
Skills
Organization
Completing Intake
I-485, N-400, G-325A, G-28, I-912 Forms
Writing Case Notes
Copying and Filing
Working with an Interpreter
Law Logix
My home during my time with the IRC. All the files on the right side are clients I have met with but not have submitted applications for. The files on the left side are those of clients I have submitted applications for.
This map hangs in the IRC Immigration Intern Cubicle. Each red peg represents a country of someone who has come through the Immigration Department.
This diagram comes from my Learning Plan and outlines all the countries I have had clients from. We have an extremely high population of Burmese so there is no surprise that is the largest group!
During my time with the IRC i successfully sent 17 application to USCIS. Two of these applications have moved on to the second round of processing where the client gets his or her finger prints taken, also known as Biometrics.
Of these applications 9 were green cards (I-485) and 8 were citizenship (N-400). Of the 9 green cards not sent most of them need to obtain their medical report and a few need a new food stamps letter for the fee waiver. Of the 12 citizenship applications not sent, three were ineligible at the time, two are waiting on medical form I-685 to excuse them from the test, and the remainder need a new food stamps letter for the fee waiver. Their applications are completely ready when they are!
2010 - present
2010 - present
