Fall 2025 Undergraduate Intern, Human Rights Program

The ACLU seeks an Undergraduate Intern in the Human Rights Program of the ACLU’s National offices in NY. This is a Part-time, Remote or Hybrid position. The Intern is required to be based in the U.S.

The Team:

The Human Rights Program is part of the ACLU’s Center for Democracy, which works to strengthen democratic institutions and values, including the values of government transparency and accountability, and to reinforce the United States’ commitment to human rights and the rule of law. The Center for Democracy includes – in addition to the Human Rights Program – the Speech, Privacy and Technology Project and the National Security Project, and also works closely with staff from the ACLU’s Communications Department, Affiliate Support and Advocacy Department, and Washington Legislative Office.

The Human Rights Program (HRP) is dedicated to holding the U.S. government accountable to its international human rights obligations and commitments. The Program uses human rights strategies to complement existing ACLU legal and legislative advocacy. HRP conducts human rights documentation and related advocacy to combat human rights violations in the U.S., and it engages in advocacy and litigation before U.S. courts and international bodies, including the United Nations and regional human rights bodies (such as the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights). 

What You'll Do:

Our undergraduate internship is designed to provide interns with the opportunity to learn about human rights and other public interest work. Interns will learn about creating change through an array of domestic and international advocacy opportunities, will work under the direct supervision of the Program’s Paralegal, and will have the opportunity to learn from and interact with other Program staff.

Your Day to Day

• • Assist with factual research on issues relating to civil liberties and human rights
  • Assist with research and collecting materials for public education and human rights documentation
  • Assist with research and collecting materials for advocacy before regional and international bodies
  • Assist in preparations for human rights advocacy before the United Nations and other international human rights bodies
  • Online monitoring of human rights hearings and developments

What You'll Bring:

This internship is open to undergraduate students who will have finished sophomore year before the internship commences. Interns should possess the following:

• Demonstrated commitment to the mission of the ACLU, including civil liberties, civil rights, social justice, and international human rights
• Demonstrate a commitment to diversity within the office using a personal approach that values all individuals and respects differences in regard to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, disability and socio-economic circumstance
• A demonstrated / strong interest in protecting and expanding civil and human rights   
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
• Strong computer skills, particularly web-based research including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel)
• The initiative to see projects through to completion
• Knowledge and experience using the human rights framework and the international human rights system are a plus

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is full-time or part-time role that can be Remote or Hybrid from our NY National office.
• Time Commitment: Part-time (20 hours/week) or Full-time (35 hours/week).
• Internship Duration: Full-time internships span 10 consecutive weeks and part-time 12 weeks. This internship has a start date of: September 9th or September 23rd
• • Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
    • Below are the stipend rates:
      • $20/hr for undergraduate students or equivalent experience
      • $24/hr for graduate and law students or equivalent experience

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us. 

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. 

The ACLU is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual with a disability and need assistance applying online, please email benefits.hrdept@aclu.org. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request accommodations for the interview process.