The mission of the Human Rights and Specials Prosecutions Section is to enforce federal laws relating to: (1) complex immigration and border crimes; (2) international human rights violations; and (3) certain federal crimes of violence committed outside the United States.
HRSP is responsible for the investigation and prosecution of select torture, genocide, war crimes and female genital mutilation cases. In addition to the criminal prosecution of these crimes, HRSP detects, investigates, and takes legal action to denaturalize naturalized U.S. citizens who, prior to their naturalization, participated abroad in acts of genocide or in acts of torture or extrajudicial killings committed under color of foreign law. The Section is also responsible for detecting, investigating and taking legal action to denaturalize and/or deport U.S. citizens or residents who participated in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution between 1933 and 1945.
Additionally, HRSP investigates and prosecutes complex immigration cases involving alien smuggling, trafficking in fraudulent travel and identification documents, and international criminal travel networks, particularly those that pose potential national security threats. In addition, HRSP is the Department’s central point of contact regarding Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA) investigations and prosecutions which involve felonies committed by overseas military contractors, families of military members and overseas U.S. government employees whose mission supports the Department of Defense. Aside from its operational work, HRSP designs, implements, and supports law enforcement efforts, legislative initiatives, policies and strategies relating to these areas.
Law interns will conduct substantial legal research and writing assignments in the areas of international, criminal, and immigration law. Law interns will also conduct factual research, review and organize documents, and work on policy matters.
Rising second- and third-year law students; full-time International or Comparative Law LL.M. candidates who are not employed while pursuing their advanced degree.
Applicants must have: (1) a strong academic background; (2) excellent research and writing skills; and (3) experience or interest in criminal and international law.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace, and the candidate(s) selected will be required to pass a drug test to screen for illegal drug use. Internship opportunities are also contingent upon the satisfactory completion of a background investigation adjudicated by the Department of Justice.
Please submit a single PDF file via e-mail that contains a cover letter (including dates available), resume, writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), transcript (official or unofficial), and three references.
All applications must be emailed to HRSPInterns@usdoj.gov with your name and the season and year (Fall, Spring, or Summer) that you are applying for (for example Watkins-Summer 2019).
Deadline: May 1
Minimum Weeks Required: Full semester (15 to 20 hours per week; full time externships are also available).