Hiring Organization
Criminal Division (CRM)
Hiring Office
Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP)
Location:
Washington, DC 20005 - United States
About the Office
The Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section (HRSP) protects the American public and U.S. interests by investigating and prosecuting complex international immigration and violent crime cases over which the U.S. has jurisdiction, specifically against: (1) leaders and members of criminal networks and cartels responsible for prolific international alien smuggling, human trafficking, and related immigration fraud crimes; (2) persons who have committed genocide, torture, war crimes and other atrocities outside the United States, including those who then flee to the United States seeking safe harbor or commit immigration fraud by concealing their past crimes; and (3) persons who committed violent crime abroad where a U.S. citizen is a victim or perpetrator.
Combatting the Dangers of Human Smuggling, Trafficking, and Related Immigration Crimes
HRSP investigates and prosecutes complex immigration offenses that undermine the integrity of our nation's borders and our national security. HRSP targets international criminal networks and cartels involved in smuggling of aliens, placing particular emphasis on prosecuting the leaders and organizers of those organizations to eliminate those international networks that terrorists and other criminals could exploit to enter the United States without detection. HRSP also prosecutes human trafficking crimes. The office leads Joint Task Force Alpha (JTFA), an inter-agency partnership between DOJ and DHS that combines dedicated prosecutors, agents, and analysts with specialized expertise from across the country to build criminal cases against leaders, organizers, and facilitators of human smuggling and trafficking crimes. JTFA targets criminal networks operating along the southern and northern borders and the Caribbean that smuggled aliens into the United States.
Ensuring Accountability for Human Rights Violations and Related Immigration Crimes
Where U.S. federal jurisdiction exists, HRSP seeks to prosecute persons who have committed atrocity crimes abroad under the federal criminal statutes proscribing torture, war crimes, genocide, female genital mutilation, and recruitment or use of child soldiers. The Section also prosecutes human rights violators under other statutes as appropriate, including U.S. criminal and civil immigration and naturalization laws in order to revoke U.S. citizenship or other legal status and obtain criminal penalties as appropriate. HRSP is also part of a coordinated, interagency effort to deny safe haven in the United States to human rights violators, working closely with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, among other agencies, to identify such individuals and prevent them from entering the United States.
Prosecution of International Violent Crimes
HRSP prosecutes certain other cases of crimes of violence committed abroad, particularly crimes that fall under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act (MEJA). In its MEJA enforcement work, HRSP coordinates and participates in investigations and prosecutions of individuals employed by or supporting United States military forces overseas who commit murder, sex crimes, and other federal felony offenses. Similarly, HRSP investigates and prosecutes cases involving violent crimes that fall under the Special Maritime and Territorial Jurisdiction of the United States.
Interagency and International Work
HRSP is part of a coordinated, interagency effort to deny safe haven in the United States to human rights violators. HRSP works closely with the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State, among other agencies, to identify such individuals and prevent them from entering the United States. HRSP participates in various domestic and international initiatives that pertain to its mission. The Section works with other DOJ components and other federal agencies to enhance the security of the United States.
Job Description
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. This internship requires students to work a minimum of 15-20 hours per week (Fall/Spring) or 10 weeks (Summer) in the Washington-D.C. office of HRSP.
Qualifications
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.
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 successful completion of a suitability review and a favorable determination based on information provided in their security forms, a credit report, and fingerprint check.
Application Process
Please submit a single PDF file via e-mail that contains a cover letter (including dates available), resume (not to exceed 2 pages), writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), transcript (official or unofficial), and three references.
All applications must be emailed to
[email protected] with your name and the semester and year that you are applying for (for example Watkins, Patrick-Fall 2024).
Application Deadlines
Summer: January 15
Fall: June 15
Spring: October 15
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Salary
Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
