Office of the Principal Legal Advisor​ Legal Intern​

I interned with the Department of Homeland Security in ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), the Newark, NJ branch. OPLA  primarily represents ICE in litigating against criminal aliens, terrorists, and human rights abusers, as well as conducting immigration removal proceedings.​

Despite being remote, I was able to gain valuable insight into immigration law and litigation. Much of my work was creating research packets for OPLA’s trial attorneys. Additionally, each week, the legal interns would attend multiple instructional meetings on various aspects of immigration law and trial proceedings. We then applied this training in mock trials focused on the topics we learned the previous week.

I found these trials to be the most interesting and unique part of the internship. I was able to use my newly acquired knowledge to craft arguments and problem solve in a creative manner.  ​

During this internship, I learned the basics of litigation, immigration law and how to apply these concepts to actual cases.  I discovered I have a talent for the examination of witnesses and for planning a case.  Overall, I found this internship incredibly rewarding, and I am hoping to pursue a career in the legal field by attending law school next year.