Selection Criteria for the Michael Maggio Immigrants’ Rights Summer Fellowship Program
Host Sites
Fellowship host sites must be recognized non-profit organizations. These include:
- Nonprofit organizations serving low-income and underserved immigrant communities.
- Legal services organizations that serve immigrants.
- Civil rights organizations that advocate on behalf of immigrants.
- Community-based organizations that engage in pro-immigrant advocacy.
The host organization must be willing to host the student for 10 weeks and provide a $1,000 stipend. The $1,000 amount may be paid from the host organization’s funds or may be provided by the law student through other means, e.g., law school public interest funding, independent fundraising, etc. The host organization must commit to supervise and provide all logistical needs of the Fellow including office space and supplies. Host organizations in underserved regions or performing work that supports people who have less access to immigration assistance or resources will be prioritized.
Fellowship Projects
Selection criteria include:
- Projects which provide direct legal services to low-income and underserved individuals, including intake, client and
witness interviews, courtroom advocacy and legal research and writing. - Projects which provide community education and outreach.
- Projects which advocate for more just and humane immigration laws and policies.
Fellows
Fellowship recipients must meet the following criteria:
- Law students enrolled in law school program.
- Demonstrated commitment to social justice and/or immigrants’ rights issues.
The fellowship program aims to support applicants from diverse backgrounds, including applicants with personal experience of the immigration enforcement system, immigrants, women, people of color, persons with disabilities, persons with diverse gender and sexual identities, and formerly incarcerated people.
Application Requirements
A complete application will include the following items:
- cover letter;
- completed application form (parts I & II);
- letter of support from the host organization, including information about the organization, the work the Fellow will be doing and the name of the person responsible for supervising the Fellow); and
- applicant’s resume.
THE 2024 APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW OPEN: DEADLINE FEBRUARY 16, 2024
Please also submit a cover letter and a resume.
How To Submit Your Application
(1) To apply electronically (preferred method):
Please send your application via email to Erin Lynum at elynum@aila.org with the following information in the subject line “[your name] – Maggio Fellowship 2024” and attach both the completed application form (see below) and the essays.
Part I and Part II constitute the entire application and should be submitted as an attachment to your email. (PDF preferred)
DEADLINE TO APPLY FEBRUARY 16, 2024
Questions?
Email Erin Lynum at the American Immigration Lawyers Association elynum@aila.org with any questions.
