Cabrini’s Class of 2018 Summer Interns: (left to right) Ruth Garbanzo, Aisha Karim, Ana Suarez Rodriguez, Maria Ortega, Megan Quinn, and Alicia Alvarado. Not pictured: Jeanetly Garcia, Melissa Valencia, Assumpta Iheaso, and Jessie Ames.
Catholic Charities welcomed ten interns to work alongside the St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance this summer where they gained valuable experience and made an impact on the immigrant families the organization serves every day.
The interns attended a three-day orientation with some of Cabrini’s Managing Attorneys, who led training sessions on various topics of immigration law including asylum, U-visas, T-visas, family petitions, and special immigrant juvenile status.
“Providing opportunities for the next generation of lawyers is one of the most important roles we can play as attorneys at Cabrini,” said Gregory J. Guarino, Jr., a Managing Attorney of the Unaccompanied Children Program. “We hope to inspire them to use their education to help those in need in our community.”
These students spent several weeks working with the Unaccompanied Children Program, the Crime Victims Program and our general immigration programs. The interns worked on cases, met with clients, attended outreach events, helped out at workshops, designed outreach and CLE (Continuing Legal Education) presentations, and much more. At the end of the summer, the interns presented an overview of their work.
The students represented several schools including South Texas College of Law, University of Houston Law Center, Baylor Law School, the University of Texas, and the University of Virginia.
“The externship this summer has absolutely been an invaluable experience for me. I have learned fundamentals of immigration law, and how to analyze difficult and complex immigration issues,” said intern Aisha Karim. “The experience with Catholic Charities has furthered bolstered my interest in working for public interest organizations helping immigrants.
I have enjoyed each and every moment of being here at Cabrini this summer and will definitely recommend it to others. I am thankful to Elise [Griesmyer] and Vickie [Giambra] for providing me with incredible and invaluable coaching and reinforcing my commitment in immigration law and in particular to working with and helping people in need.”
Interested in internship opportunities with Catholic Charities?
Contact Karina Hernandez at khernandez@catholiccharities.org for availability and more information.