what it is like to be an immigration lawyer

by Vanessa Lakin 5 min read

Like other lawyers, immigration lawyer education and training is extensive and takes quite a while to complete. Immigration lawyers are attorneys who specialize in the law surrounding immigration and permanent travel between countries.

Full Answer

What are the requirements to become an immigration lawyer?

A person’s immigration status might impact and intersect with other legal matters too, such as family law, criminal law, business, and tax law, and being well versed in immigration law is necessary for attorneys practicing in those areas as well.

What education is needed to become an immigration lawyer?

Jan 16, 2019 · Immigration is a hot topic these days and the demand for immigration lawyers is rising in the US and worldwide. If you’ve ever thought about becoming an immigration lawyer you’re in for a treat. Marcus Yi, a practicing immigration lawyer agreed to speak with us today and provide some insight into the exciting world of immigration law.

How long does it take to become and immigration lawyer?

Apr 18, 2022 · Whether you would like to obtain a work permit, get a permanent U.S. residency or any immigration-related issue, you can be sure that a lawyer can assist you. While it might be possible for you to undertake the process on your own, there are chances of making grave mistakes that will delay your application process.

How can I become an immigration attorney?

Immigration lawyers are attorneys who specialize in the law surrounding immigration and permanent travel between countries. Their work can help refugees to seek asylum, obtain legal residency status for individuals in the country on work visas, or prove the need for those work visas on behalf of corporations.

image

How stressful is immigration law?

Practicing law is stressful, and immigration lawyers are commonly faced with circumstances that make their jobs immensely draining. In addition to the physical costs of keeping up with a heavy case load, the emotional toll can be significant.Dec 5, 2019

What are the pros of being an immigration lawyer?

Here are seven advantages of being an immigration lawyer:Helping others. ... Meeting people. ... Learning different areas of law. ... Varying types of employers. ... Opening a practice. ... Advancing your career. ... Improving your job outlook. ... Long path to employment.More items...•Oct 14, 2021

Is learning immigration law hard?

Immigration laws are typically very complex, and the average person often needs legal assistance to fully understand them. Immigration lawyers work with people regardless of their resident status.Mar 8, 2021

Is immigration law a growing field?

Immigration law is a field that is growing in importance, given the large numbers of noncitizens in the U.S., the prominence of immigration-related issues in policy spheres, the nexus between immigration law and national security, and the intersections between immigration law and other practice areas.

How much do immigration lawyers make?

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.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Types Of Lawyers That Make The Most MoneyMedical Lawyers – Average $138,431. Medical lawyers make one of the highest median wages in the legal field. ... Intellectual Property Attorneys – Average $128,913. ... Trial Attorneys – Average $97,158. ... Tax Attorneys – Average $101,204. ... Corporate Lawyers – $116,361.Dec 18, 2020

What are the pros and cons of being a lawyer?

Top 10 Being a Lawyer Pros & Cons – Summary ListBeing a Lawyer ProsBeing a Lawyer ConsLawyers can earn really good moneyLawyers often work long hoursBeing a lawyer implies excellent career optionsStress can be enormousLawyers can work in many different jobsBeing a lawyer may affect your family life7 more rows

Can immigration lawyer speed up process?

An immigration lawyer cannot magically speed up your applications process once it has been submitted, however by hiring an immigration lawyer you can greatly decrease your chances of unnecessary delays caused by mistakes in your application.

Why do you want to work in immigration law?

Why? 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.

What are the 3 types of immigration?

There Are Many Different Types Of Immigration Status. As An Immigrant, You Might Be One Of The Following:United States Citizen. If you were born in the United States, you are a U.S. citizen, even if you were raised in another country. ... Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) ... Temporary Visitor. ... Undocumented Immigrant.

What are the different areas of immigration law?

Immigration law can be segmented into 1) Business Immigration; 2) Family-based Immigration; and 3) Asylum, Deportation and Removal, with each segment having its own set of laws and regulations.Feb 15, 2008

What type of law does immigration fall under?

civil lawShe added that immigration is civil law, not criminal law, and does not afford many protections afforded those accused of criminal law, such as the right to government-funded counsel.

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.

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.

Who is Marcus Yi?

Marcus Yi, Esq is an O1 visa lawyer that provides personalized immigration law representation for both employment and family based immigration matters. He has represented corporations, non-profit organizations and individuals in the process of obtaining temporary visas for work, study and training, lawful permanent residence (a “green card”) and U.S. citizenship. He advises employers and individuals on all phases of immigration applications, from screening prospective hires to identifying visa strategies for new jobs and career transitions, through employment-based paths to permanent residence and naturalization. Mr. Yi graduated from St John’s University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate degree in 2011. He is a member of the New York State Bar and is licensed to practice in State and Federal court. He is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

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.

What are the courses that an immigration lawyer can take?

It is at this point that an aspiring immigration lawyer would begin to study immigration law. Courses in immigration law might include topics such as: Immigration law. International human rights law. Refugee and asylum law.

How long does it take to become an immigration lawyer?

In order to become an immigration lawyer, it is necessary to complete a 4-year bachelor's degree, as well as a 3-year Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, following the exact same steps to become a lawyer of any other variety. After completing the necessary immigration lawyer education, graduates will have to pass the bar exam in order to receive ...

Do immigration lawyers work for the government?

Immigration lawyers can also work for the federal government. Lawyers will also have to complete continuing education in order to remain in practice. Continuing education requirements and the periods between renewal can vary from state to state, so lawyers should be sure to consult with their state's bar association on these requirements.

What does "instability" mean in legal advice?

The instability means that we must slavishly follow developments.

What airline did the judge order the woman to travel on?

The catch was that she needed to travel on Lufthansa -- the only airline following the judge’s order. Shortly after she had purchased her new ticket, another federal judge denied a motion to extend the injunction past its one-week Sunday deadline.

What does it mean to be a lawyer?

Being a lawyer means being a writer. Just when you thought those law school papers were done, that's not quite the case. "I'm a litigator, which can be a bit like writing a term paper every night for the rest of your life," Devereux says.

What are the common problems lawyers face?

Burnout, stress, and depression are incredibly common among lawyers. Make sure you take advantage of mental health days, vacation days, and sick days, and if you're truly struggling (or your colleagues are), consult a mental health practitioner. 15. You probably won't be rich.

Do lawyers work a lot?

" Lawyers work a lot of hours, and clients can have issues requiring your attention at any time, regardless of whether it's a weekend, holiday, or during your vacation. And, thanks to technology, you can and will be expected to respond and perform the work from wherever you are as soon as humanly possible," Devereux says. This is just kind of the reality for some types of law. Also, certain seasons are specifically busy (for example, if you're a tax attorney).

Do lawyers spend time in court?

You probably won't spend much time in court. All the movies that show lawyers only working when they're in court are not at all accurate. " In fact, you might never see a courtroom," Devereux says. You'll probably be spending a lot of time alone, in an office, researching cases, and processing paperwork.

Can I pass the bar exam on the first try?

You may not pass the bar on the first try. The bar exam wasn't exactly designed with everyone in mind. " Here’s the thing. The bar exam—like most academic exams in our country—was first developed by white, affluent, powerful men (a.k.a. the patriarchy) who very much wanted to retain their power," Rodgers says.

Can you work remotely with copyright clients?

And it may allow you to move around or work remotely. "Because trademarks and copyrights are regulated by a federal agency, you can work with trademark and copyright clients from any state. This gives you lots of flexibility if you don’t want to be stuck in the state in which you are barred," says Rodgers. 6.

Can you make a partner?

It's not easy to make partner (or become a part-owner of a firm instead of an employee), even if you're a top performer. "In my experience, most people I worked with did not make partner," Jamie says. Often, it's worth it to leave and go to another firm to get to that level, she admits.

image