Law Student Volunteer, Civil Division Office of Immigration Litigation, District Court National Security Section (OIL-DNS) (Spring 2026)

The Office of Immigration Litigation, District Court National Security Section (OIL-DNS), handles immigration litigation with a national security nexus in federal district courts, as well as resulting appeals. OIL-DNS attorneys manage individual and class-based challenges, many of which present issues of first impression involving:

Constitutional rights and entitlements

Statutory interpretation

Federal authority over immigration matters

Agency rulemaking procedures

Article III standing

In federal courts around the country, OIL-DNS primarily represents the interests of client agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State. Work includes all aspects of trial and appellate practice in all jurisdictions nationwide.

OIL-DNS’s diverse national security docket includes:

Defensive and affirmative litigation involving national security-focused challenges to the denials and delays of adjudications for U.S. citizenship, passports, lawful permanent residency, visas, and other immigration benefits

Habeas petitions filed by individuals posing national security threats

Class-action and programmatic challenges to national-security checks and immigration-benefit adjudicatory procedures

Removal and denaturalization of terrorists and individuals who pose a national security threat

OIL-DNS is responsible for developing national litigation positions and strategies, including coordination with U.S. Attorney's Offices and the law enforcement community.

Volunteer Legal Interns will:

Be assigned to one of the OIL-DNS litigation teams

Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda

Provide litigation support under the supervision of an attorney-mentor

Draft motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, oppositions in substantive or procedural matters, or appellate briefs

Prepare and deliver a mock oral argument before a panel of subject-matter experts

Be invited to attend any Department-wide or internal trainings offered during the internship

Interns must work in person at the Washington, D.C. office; no telework or remote work options are available.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen

Must be a current or rising second or third year law student

Must have completed at least one year of law school by the internship start date

Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher

Enrollment in an accredited U.S. law school is require

Successful completion of a background investigation is necessary

Must commit to working at least 10 weeks, approximately 15-20 hours per week

Applicants should submit the following materials as a single PDF file titled "[Last Name, First Name] - Spring 2026 Internship Application by email to CIVOILDNScareers@civ.usdoj.gov. Please use the same format for the subject line of your email.

Required documents

Cover letter

Resume (not to exceed two pages)

Unofficial law school transcript

5–10 page legal writing sample

Two professional references

Additional Information

Please do not apply unless able to commit to the full required internship period.

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