how to become an immigration lawyer reddit

by Dr. Leland Williamson PhD 6 min read

How do I become an immigration lawyer?

Yes, there is the side of immigration law that deals with removal defense and green card work but there is a another more lucrative side to immigration law in employment-based immigration. Companies pay LOTS of money to petition for foreign employees to come to the US to work and through that process they are able to petition for permanent ...

Who is I am a Canadian immigration lawyer?

One of the great things about corporate immigration work was that it was 90% through client HR departments, so it was professional-client interaction. One of the four lawyers in our practice group was also a young mother, as I remember it. One of fellow paralegals from that job went onto law school and has been doing corporate immigration work ...

What can you do with an immigration law degree?

TheDefenseNeverRests. · 1y. I am a former Colorado PD, now a PD in a different agency. The key is commitment to the cause and willingness to do things the way they tell you to. If you go in very clear on your commitment to indigent defense (I’m sure your immigration background will help a lot) and very clear that you want to learn the right ...

Can attorneys who don’t specialize in immigration law represent immigrants?

I’ve been practicing Canadian immigration law for the past thirteen years. My areas of practice include: all Canadian immigration and citizenship matters, including immigration litigation and enforcement, assisting Canadian employers with hiring and maintaining a foreign workforce, and the transfer of employees across international borders.

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What is the purpose of immigration laws?

Immigration law regulations and processes created by the federal government are for determining who is allowed to enter the country, for how long, and how people can become U.S. permanent residents and citizens.

What happens when a foreigner enters the US without permission?

Also, when foreign nationals enter the United States without permission, overstay their authorized duration of stay, or otherwise lose their legal immigration status, immigration law regulates how they may be detained, deported or barred from the country.

Do immigration lawyers have to keep up with the latest developments?

An immigration lawyer must always keep on top of the latest developments. Unfortunately, not all immigration regulations our set in case law. This means that research is much harder. Sometimes you only discover that USCIS has changed their policies internally after the fact.

How long does it take to get a bar license?

You'll need to pass the bar exam to obtain licensure in the state where you intend to practice immigration law. According to the BLS, most states give a 6-hour Multi state Bar Examination, which tests you on several areas of law.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

An immigration lawyer enables immigrants to live and work in the U.S. by helping them obtain a green card or visa, gain lawful permanent status, or be granted political asylum. According to Cornell Legal Information Institute, as an immigration lawyer you'll also defend illegal immigrants or help them become naturalized citizens ( www.law.cornell.edu ). Typical duties will likely include meeting with and interviewing clients, researching cases, writing motions and arguing cases in court. A bachelor's degree, a doctoral degree and a state-issued license to practice law are required to begin practicing as an immigration lawyer.

Do immigration lawyers work for the government?

They must keep themselves informed on new policies and legal changes, many of which come from the federal government. Immigration lawyers may work for a firm or set up their own practice. They may specialize in working with immigrants from a particular country or region so they are able to become experts.

What is location quotient?

Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

What is an immigration specialist?

An Immigration Specialist works with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). They manage and control immigration programs and help foreigners with the immigration process. They also ensure that all paperwork, like applications for visas, is accurately filled and submitted in time.

How many immigration specialists have a masters degree?

In terms of higher education levels, we found that 13.3% of immigration specialists have master's degrees. Even though most immigration specialists have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED. Choosing the right major is always an important step when researching how to become an immigration specialist.

What is the USCIS?

Lawful immigration to the United States is controlled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ( USCIS), which provides services like citizenship, immigration of family members, work permits, adoptions, and humanitarian programs. An Immigration Specialist works with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

What are the best states for immigration specialists?

The best states for people in this position are Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Washington.

What is the skill section on a resume?

The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on.

Who can represent immigrants in removal proceedings?

This is already the case in many other countries, and in the United States is institutionalized in immigration law practice, where certain non-lawyers accredited by the federal Board of Immigration Appeals are allowed to represent immigrants in removal proceedings or in administrative matters before the Department of Homeland Security.

Is practicing law a 9 to 5 job?

Clearly, practicing law is never a 9-to-5 job. Being a lawyer is a high-stress, plummeting-prestige profession—the work is demanding, the economics of the profession are increasingly challenging, and in the views of some, the psychic or status rewards of working as a lawyer rank below nail technician.

Average Immigration Attorney Salary Over Time

Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.

How Much Do Immigration Attorneys Make In Different Industries?

Immigration attorney salaries can vary on many factors, including what industry a job is in. In fact, jobs with professional, transportation, and insurance companies tend to be the highest paying. Furthermore, an immigration attorney can make a yearly salary of $80,865 while working for professional companies.

Average JOB Salary by Field

A lawyer is a legal practitioner who specializes in understanding and interpreting laws and other legal matters. Their responsibilities revolve around providing legal counseling and advice, representing clients in different kinds of court proceedings, conducting research, collecting evidence, and coordinating with various experts.

Which Companies Pay Immigration Attorneys The Most?

To earn a high income as an immigration attorney, working for Seyfarth Shaw or Fast Enterprises might be your best bet, as they are the highest paying companies in this field. In addition, companies like Robert Half International and Hudson Group report highly competitive wages for immigration attorneys.

Average Immigration Attorney Salary by Demographic

Asian immigration attorneys have the highest average salary compared to other ethnicities. Black or african american immigration attorneys have the lowest average salary at $67,852.

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