Yes, undocumented students can do unpaid internships, but they may face legal and practical challenges in obtaining the required documentation and in finding employers willing to hire them.
Detailed answer question
Undocumented students in the United States face many challenges, including in obtaining employment and participating in internships. When it comes to unpaid internships, these students face both legal and practical difficulties. Legally, many internships require applicants to provide a Social Security number, which undocumented students may not have. However, in some cases, students may be able to obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) instead. Practically, some employers may be hesitant to hire undocumented students as interns due to concerns about liability or immigration status.
According to the National Immigration Law Center, “An undocumented student’s employment options are limited by a tangle of immigration laws, employment laws, and employer policies. But the good news is that there are some options available—even for undocumented students.” One option they suggest is seeking out internships with nonprofits or advocacy organizations that may be more open to hiring undocumented individuals. It’s also important to note that unpaid internships must meet certain guidelines to avoid violating labor laws, such as providing educational benefits to the intern and not displacing paid workers.
In addition to legal and practical considerations, undocumented students face broader challenges in pursuing their educational and career goals. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has provided some relief for undocumented individuals who arrived in the US as children, temporarily protecting them from deportation and allowing them to obtain work permits. However, the future of DACA and the broader immigration system remains uncertain.
As the Brookings Institution highlights, “Immigrants, both documented and undocumented, make important contributions to the United States in many ways, including paying taxes, contributing to economic growth, and bolstering the workforce.” The conversation around undocumented students and internships is just one example of the larger challenges and opportunities facing the country as it grapples with immigration policy.
Table:
| Benefits of Internships | Challenges of Internships |
|---|---|
| Professional experience | Finding opportunities with reputable employers |
| Networking opportunities | Unpaid internships may not be financially viable for all students |
| Skill-building | Legally obtaining necessary documentation |
| Potential for future job offers | Ensuring compliance with labor laws |
As Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Undocumented students have the potential to make valuable contributions to society, but systemic barriers can prevent them from reaching their full potential. As the conversation around immigration policy continues, it’s important to consider the many ways that undocumented individuals contribute to our communities and explore ways to support, rather than hinder, their success.
See the answer to “Can undocumented students do unpaid internships?” in this video
Daniela Bravo from Ohio tells her inspiring story of securing an unpaid internship in New York City while being undocumented by lying about living in NYC to get the internship. She endured an 18-hour bus ride to make it to the interview and took on four side jobs to support herself. Her scrappy and persistent approach helped her build a valuable professional brand, focusing on details and good work ethic, and allowed her to move ahead in her career faster.
Surely you will be interested in these topics
Subsequently, Can undocumented students get paid internships? The reply will be: Yes. Many organizations and companies offer internships for undocumented students. However, students are typically required to prove their eligibility to work in the United States. Students should confirm that an internship or fellowship accepts undocumented or DACA-eligible applicants.
Can undocumented students get a stipend?
Answer to this: Undocumented students with AB 540 status qualify for many forms of financial aid, including exemption from nonresident tuition — which means you’ll be eligible for in-state tuition and fees — along with Cal Grants, UC grants and scholarships, and private scholarships.
Consequently, Can undocumented students be hired?
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have an employment authorization document (EAD) in addition to a social security number (SSN) to work legally. The only policy that grants these two documents to undocumented immigrants is Deferred Action, also called DACA.
Keeping this in consideration, Can you work in the US if you’re undocumented?
All workers, including those who are undocumented, have the same basic employment rights as other workers, regardless of their immigration status. There are several different laws which provide for these rights.
Is it illegal to do an unpaid internship?
Immigration takes the position that unpaid internships are employment, therefore it is not permitted. The one exception is if you are doing true volunteer work such as changing bedpans at a hospital or serving food at a soup kitchen. Note: The below answer is provided for informational use only.
Can undocumented immigrants work in the United States?
Undocumented immigrants, unless they have been approved for DACA, do not have legal authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to work in the United States in any capacity. You cannot hold a paid internship. Federal law forbids any employer, including a company offering an internship, to pay you for your work.
Then, Which racial groups are most likely to have unpaid internships? However, only 6% of those with paid internships were Black (underrepresented) while Black students made up nearly 7.3% of unpaid internships (overrepresented). Hispanic and Latino students were more likely than any other racial group to have not had an internship by the time they graduated.
In this way, Can I get an internship without DACA?
Answer: Without DACA, you cannot accept payment for an internship, but for some students, the experience is an investment in the future. Talk to the fieldwork office at your school to see if you can work an internship in exchange for course credit. I am not a DACA beneficiary. Am I barred from pursuing any job opportunities?
Secondly, Is it illegal to do an unpaid internship?
In reply to that: Immigration takes the position that unpaid internships are employment, therefore it is not permitted. The one exception is if you are doing true volunteer work such as changing bedpans at a hospital or serving food at a soup kitchen. Note: The below answer is provided for informational use only.
Beside this, Can undocumented immigrants work in the United States?
Undocumented immigrants, unless they have been approved for DACA, do not have legal authorization from the Department of Homeland Security to work in the United States in any capacity. You cannot hold a paid internship. Federal law forbids any employer, including a company offering an internship, to pay you for your work.
In this way, Which racial groups are most likely to have unpaid internships?
The answer is: However, only 6% of those with paid internships were Black (underrepresented) while Black students made up nearly 7.3% of unpaid internships (overrepresented). Hispanic and Latino students were more likely than any other racial group to have not had an internship by the time they graduated.
Hereof, Can international students get a job if they don’t get paid?
The response is: This guideline extends to international students without authorization to work in the United States. While such students are only allowed to participate in unpaid internships, the internship still must pass the primary beneficiary test; the students’ legal inability to accept compensation does not provide companies with a legal loophole.