What Is an Immigration Lawyer?
Degree Requirements | Bachelor's degree, Juris Doctor degree |
Job Responsibilities | Communicate with clients, research cases ... |
Licensure | Pass the bar examination in the state wh ... |
Job Outlook (2020-2030) | 9% for all lawyers* |
Average Salary (2020) | $148,910 for all lawyers* |
To become an immigration lawyer, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree from a college or university. At some point towards the end of the four-year program, you will take the law school admissions test (LSAT). The standardized exam assesses a person’s reading comprehension, logical, and verbal reasoning proficiency.
Top Colleges for Immigration Lawyers
The need for immigration lawyers is rising. So is the cost. Here’s how to find one and save. courtneyk Getty Images With the new complexities and restrictions of the U.S. immigration system, it has become more challenging for immigrants to move through ...
To become an immigration lawyer and start working with your first clients, follow the steps listed below:Earn a bachelor's degree. Before attending law school, future lawyers first obtain a bachelor's degree. ... Obtain a J.D. ... Gain hands-on experience. ... Develop your skills. ... Earn certifications. ... Gather clients.
What are some of the most important skills for Immigration Lawyers to have? Good judgment, creative solution problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills with customers, the ability to speak in public, compassion and good people skills.
Salary Ranges for Immigration Lawyers The salaries of Immigration Lawyers in the US range from $55,870 to $187,200 , with a median salary of $115,820 . The middle 60% of Immigration Lawyers makes between $115,820 and $120,480, with the top 80% making $187,200.
All told, an aspiring immigration lawyer needs a total of seven years of full-time study after high school to obtain a Juris Doctor degree. He will also need a few more months to pass the bar exam and meet local bar association requirements.
An immigration lawyer usually works in an office environment. He or she may occasionally require to visit courts for legal proceedings or other relevant matters.
The salaries of Divorce Lawyers in the US range from $25,415 to $679,997 , with a median salary of $121,978 . The middle 57% of Divorce Lawyers makes between $121,979 and $306,401, with the top 86% making $679,997.
How much does an Immigration Attorney make in California? The average Immigration Attorney salary in California is $91,050 as of May 27, 2022, but the range typically falls between $77,617 and $105,321.
The average Immigration Lawyer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $72,643 as of May 27, 2022, but the salary range typically falls between $59,674 and $84,685.
Immigration lawyers specialize in the resolution of legal issues related to immigration, such as naturalization and visa renewal. 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. The following chart gives you an overview of what you need to know about entering this field.
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.
Regardless of the eventual practice area, completing a bachelor’s degree is the usual first step in becoming a lawyer, followed by earning a juris doctor (JD) degree.
In many situations, strong interpersonal skills are also needed. During any given day in immigration practice, an attorney may work with people who have undergone exceptionally traumatic experiences, including suffering persecution, human trafficking, or torture.
Does the thought of working on human rights issues excite you? Do you like interacting with people from other countries and cultures? Are you interested in criminal law, constitutional law, civil rights law, family law, education law, entertainment law, sports law, compliance, or business law? Do you hope to be a transactional lawyer or litigate in federal court?
The immigration issues that have seen intense political debate and media coverage in recent years are only part of the story.
Another helpful resource is the American Immigration Lawyers Association, a national organization of more than 15,000 attorneys and educators who practice and teach immigration law. This nonpartisan nonprofit provides continuing legal education, information, and professional services.
Because immigration law provides you with a foundation to represent people who have immigration matters to resolve, but it also allows you to recognize how a person’s immigration status might impact them in many seemingly unrelated ways.
In addition to academics, and as noted above, you should also pursue as many opportunities to gain hands-on experience in the legal field as you can, particularly in immigration law–related work. You might find such opportunities through the clinical programs, pro bono activities, internships/externships, and student groups offered by your law school.