what majors do you need in order to be an immigration lawyer

by Mrs. Amya Romaguera 8 min read

The first step in becoming an immigration lawyer is to earn a bachelor's degree. While pre-law majors do exist, it is not necessary that an aspiring lawyer earn their undergraduate degree in law; majors as diverse as government, mathematics, English, and history are all common among law students.

What degree do I need to become an immigration lawyer?

The first step in becoming an immigration lawyer is to earn a bachelor's degree. While pre-law majors do exist, it is not necessary that an aspiring lawyer earn their undergraduate degree in law; majors as diverse as government, mathematics, English, …

What are the best pre-law majors to become an immigration lawyer?

Sep 18, 2021 · The curriculum of diploma, bachelors and masters law program includes Immigration Law, International Human Rights Law, Refugee and Asylum Law, Labor Law, Racial and Justice law. Once the law degree has been obtained, the aspirant must give BAR exam in order to legally practice law in the country. Certificate and Online Courses for Immigration Law

What should I major in to become a lawyer?

For most people planning to practice law, including immigration law, the JD is the standard degree. But some law school graduates go on to pursue other degrees or credentials requiring additional study, such as the Master of Laws (LLM) or the Doctor of Science of Law/Doctor of Juridical Science (JSD or SJD).

What are the different types of courses in immigration law?

In order to practice law as an immigration lawyer, one must have a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor Law degree. During law school, in order to specialize in immigration law, the course load includes classes in citizenship, advising, interviewing and statutory analysis.

What is the best major for immigration law?

Common undergraduate majors for students considering law school include political science, history, philosophy, economics, social sciences, language studies, and business—but no specific major is required. Even fields like nursing or engineering can serve as “pre-law” majors.

What is the best major to become a lawyer?

The Best Majors for Aspiring LawyersBusiness. A business major is a great option for those who are entrepreneurial-minded. ... Criminal Justice / Criminology. Criminal justice is the identification and explanation of criminal behavior patterns. ... Economics. ... English. ... Philosophy. ... Political Science. ... Psychology.Jan 3, 2022

How do I become an immigration lawyer in the US?

How to become an immigration lawyerEarn 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.Mar 8, 2021

What is the highest paid lawyer?

Highest paid lawyers: salary by practice areaPatent attorney: $180,000.Intellectual property (IP) attorney: $162,000.Trial attorneys: $134,000.Tax attorney (tax law): $122,000.Corporate lawyer: $115,000.Employment lawyer: $87,000.Real Estate attorney: $86,000.Divorce attorney: $84,000.More items...•Dec 14, 2021

What is a psych major?

Becoming a Psychology Major. A psychology major examines the science of human behavior and mental processes. This includes the study of the mind, the brain, and human and animal social interactions. The major touches on many different areas of psychology like social, cognitive, abnormal, personality and developmental.Jul 16, 2019

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.

How long do you have to be in college to be a lawyer?

Study law for four years in a recognized law school The typical law student studies on his own and by the time is called by the professor to answer, already knows the material.

Can a non US citizen become lawyer?

Can foreign lawyers practice in us? To become a lawyer in the US as a foreigner, Foreign lawyers have to sit for the bar exam and pass it to be eligible to practice in the state's jurisdiction. But be minded that merely possessing a law degree from a foreign country doesn't make you eligible to take the bar exam.Dec 10, 2021

What is the job of an immigration lawyer?

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.

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.

Where did the majority of immigrants come from in 2013?

Large numbers of immigrants also came from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, India and Korea. Immigration to the US from Asian countries has continued to grow for several years and represents the largest group of immigrants to the US.

What are the first year courses?

Take required first-year courses. Typical first year courses are contracts, torts, Constitutional law, property, and legal writing. Earn good grades, as your grades are important to future employers. ...

How to get into law school?

Pick a major that you're interested in. There's no pre-law undergraduate major, so law schools don't require you to have a certain major to gain admission. Take useful classes. The best classes to take will emphasize writing, reading, and critical thinking. Foreign language classes can also be helpful.

Who is Jennifer Mueller?

Jennifer Mueller is an in-house legal expert at wikiHow. Jennifer reviews, fact-checks, and evaluates wikiHow's legal content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. She received her JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006.

How often is the LSAT offered?

Send transcripts, letters of recommendations, and resumes to LSAC. Register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is offered four times a year, in June, September/October, December, and February.

How many times a year is the LSAT?

3. Register for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The LSAT is offered four times a year, in June, September/October, December, and February. The September/October exam is the final one to take to qualify for fall admission.

Who is an Immigration Lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is a legal personnel specialised in resolving issues related to citizenship denials, appealing citizenship denials and obtaining visas. In order to become successful in the arena, one needs to stay well-informed with the migration laws of different countries and the process to apply for the same.

Required Skills

To become an Immigration lawyer, one must possess certain skills in order to do justice to the field. Even though most of the skills can be developed over a period of time, after completing a degree in the field. Some skills need to be built by the candidates who aspire to become a successful Immigration lawyer. Given below are some of them:

Courses

The only answer to – How to become a lawyer? Is by pursuing a relevant course in the relevant field. The path toward becoming a successful Immigration lawyer requires a lot of effort, but it is a rewarding career option. Given below is a list of programs that will provide a base to meet your licensing requirements:

Top University to Become an Immigration Lawyer

There are various educational institutions that offer diploma, bachelors and masters program in Immigration law and its related courses. Given below is a list of one of the top law colleges across the world:

Job Prospects

The demand for Immigration lawyers in every corner of the world has increased the career opportunities for students pursuing a course in the very field. Studying a course in the very field from renowned universities abroad have various benefits. Let’s look at some of the job profiles, which students can pursue after completion of course:

Why is immigration law important?

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 do immigration lawyers do?

Immigration lawyers may represent clients in administrative courts, or they may counsel clients about their legal rights and obligations related to immigration, among other things. They also suggest courses of action based on their knowledge of immigration law.

What skills do immigration attorneys need?

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.

What is the American Immigration Lawyers Association?

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.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

High-level capabilities in reading and writing are a must, as is the ability to understand and communicate complex concepts and advocate for your client in an adversarial setting. Law schools both seek out these skills in applicants and cultivate them in their students.

How much do lawyers make?

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the median annual wage for all lawyers is about $120,000. Median salaries top $140,000 for those employed by the federal government, while pay for state and local government ranges from $85,000 to $93,000 annually.

What is the American Bar Association?

The American Bar Association (ABA) advises anyone interested in a legal career, regardless of the chosen specialty, to pursue educational, extracurricular, and life experiences that will foster the strengths and abilities needed for success in the legal world.

How much do immigration lawyers make?

earn the top of the pay scale at $161,000.

What is the definition of immigration?

Immigration technically refers to the process of foreign-born individuals seeking to enter the country with the intention of becoming permanent residents, but the scope of immigration law has long since expanded to handle all categories of legal work dealing with any person entering the country who does not have citizenship. That includes students, tourists, businesspersons, and asylum-seekers, along with the traditional group of foreign-born individuals simply seeking better lives in the land of opportunity.

Is certification a legal specialty?

Certification does not play as big a role in the legal field as in some other professional practices, but some states (particularly those along the southern border) are now offering pathways to specialization in immigration law as a way to deepen the expertise in the field and assure clients of your capabilities. These include:

What is immigration law?

Immigration law has always been a contentious field, subject to the political winds fanned by the administration currently in power. But although some immigration lawyers specialize in working with undocumented immigrants and those who have run afoul of official channels, many more specialize in the routine processing of visa, residency, and citizenship applications. They advise would-be immigrants on the official requirements, and assist them in filing the paperwork required. And they help smooth over small, bureaucratic snags in the process, using their familiarity with the system and the codes.

Do immigration lawyers represent clients?

Immigration lawyers may represent their clients, either individuals or businesses, in court or serve them outside the courtroom by offering legal counsel. However, most rarely frequent the courtroom. They deal with issues such as:

What is the INA?

While the INA is the law of the land when it comes to immigration matters, most of the mechanics of pursuing visas or the coveted Green Card (better known to immigration lawyers as the I-551) for permanent residency and a path to citizenship are set out in regulations and processes set down by the agencies that manage the process.

What is administrative law?

That makes administrative law a significant component of most immigration practice. That includes appearing in front of immigration judges and appellate panels such as the Board of Immigration Appeals as well as filing and pursuing cases in the federal court system.

Andrew John Bartlett

It is a long road. And there are many potential exit ramps on that road where you could end up in a different profession - your undergraduate major should be the area you are most passionate about so you can get the highest grade possible.

Alena Shautsova

History, maybe? Focus on what you like. After college you will need to go to law school. After graduation, you will need to pass a Bar Exam... Once you get licensed in any state of the US, you can practice Immigration. Good luck! Try to become an intern with some firms, so you get a better understanding what it is like...

Madeline AF Ellis

Just choose the majors you would like without worrying about what will get you into law school. If you like the subjects, you will do better than if you don't and better grades help you get into law school.

F. J. Capriotti III

Everyone has their own way of finding a 'path'.#N#I had a double major in Education & Psychology with a minor in Computer Science.#N#As a result I can be sensitive to my client's needs and 'teach' them how to do things...

William J Popovich

Believe it or not, the highest percentage of applicants from particular disciplines accepted to law school come from undergraduate disciplines like engineering, and some of the lowest percentages come from political science and similar disciplines.

Boris Alexander Palant

I recommend the following courses: Spanish, Logic, World Literature, Geography, Political Science (but not a PC BS variety), World History. After undergraduate school you will have to get enrolled in law school - another 3 years of hard work,

Scott Thomas Stotz

First of all, best of luck in your endeavor. I can't say that there is any one major you need. I would recommend becoming fluent in at least one other language. Many of your clients will be limited English proficient. I would also encourage you to find work at an office while an undergraduate. Thee is no substitute for experience! Good luck!

What does an immigration lawyer do?

An immigration lawyer not only helps people to obtain citizenship but does much more. Immigration lawyers assist people on a variety of issues including filing for political asylum or refugee status, defending against deportation, and acquiring work or resident visas. In addition, they can assist companies in International business matters.

What education is needed?

Like any attorney, immigration lawyers need a four-year bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Furthermore, all attorneys need to pass their state’s bar exam before becoming licensed and beginning to work with clients.

Top 8 skills needed to be a successful immigration lawyer

In addition to the proper education and passing the bar exam, it helps for immigration lawyers to have the following skills.

What are the duties of a lawyer?

Their exact duties and responsibilities are: 1 Providing expert advice to clients regarding potential legal issues that they may expose themselves to or ongoing litigations 2 Analyzing all documents involved in a legal case against their clients, such as witness accounts, police reports, accident reports and other official documents 3 Using their knowledge of the law to find passages and precedents that may then be used in the defense of their clients 4 Working with their clients to develop the most appropriate strategy for each situation, based on the particularities of each legal case 5 Preparing various civil legal documents, such as wills, deeds and contracts 6 Appearing in court before a judge and using legal rhetoric to defend their clients' interests

What is a lawyer?

Lawyers, also called attorneys, are tasked with advising their clients and representing them in civil and criminal cases. Their responsibilities span from simply offering legal advice to preparing legal documents on behalf of the client and ultimately representing the client in front of a court of law.

What are the skills required to become a lawyer?

Close reading and reasoning. Lawyers often need to quickly familiarize themselves with relatively large passages of previously unknown text, so classes that involve reading literature very important for developing these skills.

Why is it important to study English in high school?

Excelling in high school English language and literature classes can help aspiring lawyers develop their spoken and written communication skills as well as their comprehension abilities. As many law schools require applicants to submit an essay before admission, working on your English skills is crucial for improving the odds ...

What do lawyers need to know?

Lawyers generally need to have extensive knowledge of any subject that can describe and influence society, such as economics, history, politics, government affairs and other similar ones. Taking a social studies class can help you understand concepts like how laws and regulations are made, how legal procedures and precedents work and other similar concepts that are vital for successfully practicing law.

How long does it take to get a Juris Doctor degree?

You can earn a Juris Doctor degree by graduating from a law school that's accredited by the American Bar Association, which takes three years. During law school, you can choose to focus on one particular area of the law, such as criminal, environmental, tax, property, real estate or family. Pass the bar exam.

Why is math important in law?

Therefore, mathematics is an important aspect of the job, as the skills you acquire when learning how to solve math problems are usually transferrable to several aspects of the law.