what to study if you want to be an immigration lawyer

1. Research Immigration Lawyer Career Duties and Education. An immigration lawyer enables immigrants to live and work in the U.S. ...
2. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree. Obtaining a 4-year bachelor's degree is the first step you'll need to take to become an immigration lawyer.
3. Graduate from Law School. Next, you must obtain a Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association-accredited law school. ...
4. Pass the Bar Exam. You'll need to pass the bar exam to obtain licensure in the state where you intend to practice immigration law.
5. Join an Immigration Lawyer Association. There is no set path to becoming an immigration lawyer, but there are some resources you can utilize to help you on your ...

What are the requirements to become an immigration lawyer?

• A high level of organization
• Calm and pleasant demeanor under stressful conditions
• Attention to detail
• Ability to navigate complicated legal processes

What education is needed to become an immigration lawyer?

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.

How long does it take to become and immigration lawyer?

It takes seven years of studying to become an immigration lawyer. These lawyers assist their clients with deportation, seeking political asylum in the US, applying for US citizenship, etc. To increase their chances of getting a job, they learn at least one other language recognized worldwide.

How can I become an immigration attorney?

Take immigration law electives.

• Participate in internships at immigration agencies or firms during the school year. You can often earn credit!
• If your school has an immigration law clinic, sign up and start getting hands-on experience. You will work under the direction of a helpful faculty supervisor.
• Work for an immigration attorney during your summers. ...

What skills do you need to be an immigration lawyer?

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.

What to study before becoming a lawyer?

According to the ABA, students from nearly every educational discipline are admitted to law schools, ranging from English to history, political science to business. Popular undergraduate degree areas to consider include philosophy, economics, political science, journalism, and math.

Why should I study 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.

How do I become a US immigration lawyer?

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.

Which subject is best for lawyer?

Here are the most useful high school subjects for future lawyers:English. ... Public speaking. ... Social studies. ... Science. ... Mathematics. ... Statistics and data science. ... American history and government. ... Communication.More items...•

What is the easiest lawyer to become?

Estate Planning. Although being a legal clerk is the easiest career path, it is only suited for beginners. Estate planning wins the most stress-free legal practice area when practicing law for lawyers. Many lawyers avoid estate planning as it is a field of law associated with death.

Is becoming an immigration lawyer worth it?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for lawyers, which includes those practicing immigration law, is strong. The agency expects employment in this field to grow 9% by 2030, which is about as fast as the average rate of occupations in the general workforce.

What type of lawyer makes the most money?

Some of the highest-paid lawyers are:Medical 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.

What does immigration law fall under?

Immigration laws regulate who can enter the country and how long they can stay, in addition to determining what legal rights and responsibilities noncitizens have while they are here. The Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Is law school difficult?

In summary, law school is hard. Harder than regular college or universities, in terms of stress, workload, and required commitment. But about 40,000 people graduate from law schools every year–so it is clearly attainable.

How many years do you have to study to be a lawyer?

seven yearsBecoming a lawyer usually takes seven years. Aspiring lawyers need four years of study at university to earn an undergraduate degree and an additional three years of law school. Six to 12 months of on-the-job training while shadowing an established attorney is typically part of the process as well.

How long do you have to go to school to be a lawyer?

seven yearsBut how long does it actually take to become a lawyer? In the United States, educational requirements for a prospective attorney take at least seven years to complete, broken down into an undergraduate degree of four years and a graduate law school degree of three years.

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 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 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.

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 is an attorney who accepts a position with a small immigration nonprofit?

An attorney who accepts a position with a small immigration nonprofit, for example, may choose that option with the understanding that while the salary is lower than average, the work offers the opportunity to serve people in life-altering situations who lack the resources to obtain legal assistance otherwise.

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 are the skills required for ABA?

Among them are analytical thinking, problem-solving, critical reading, writing and editing, oral communication, listening skills, and research . The ABA also recommends getting involved in pursuits related to public service, promotion of justice, relationship-building, and collaboration.

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.

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.

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 are the best states to work as an immigration lawyer?

The best states for people in this position are New York, Massachusetts, Washington, and Vermont. Immigration lawyers make the most in New York with an average salary of $138,636. Whereas in Massachusetts and Washington , they would average $123,400 and $116,134, respectively. While immigration lawyers would only make an average of $108,463 in Vermont, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

How much do immigration lawyers make?

Immigration Lawyers in America make an average salary of $93,406 per year or $45 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $178,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $48,000 per year.

What is an immigration lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is a legal professional who helps people from other countries who wish to live, work or study within the United States. 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.

What are the fields of study for lawyers?

Political science. Economics. International studies. These fields of study cover topics such as labor laws, the politics of immigration and the most common reasons for immigration. They also provide you with strong writing and critical thinking skills, from which all lawyers benefit. 2. Obtain a J.D.

How does immigration law impact a person's life?

Immigration law has the potential to impact a person's life in many ways, such as the ability to work or run a business, pay their taxes and take care of their families. Immigration lawyers may occasionally work on criminal cases as well. Some common types of cases for immigration lawyers include:

What to do after a bachelor's degree?

After graduating with a bachelor's degree, it's time to pursue your J.D. from a law school. If you have the option, it's helpful to choose a concentration or specialization in immigration law to better prepare yourself for your future career.

How much will the number of lawyers grow in the next 10 years?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a 4% expected growth rate in the number of all lawyers for the next ten years, which is the average anticipated growth rate for most occupations in that time frame.

What to do after graduation?

Throughout your studies and after graduation, it's essential to gain hands-on experience, as many clients and employers look for this when considering who to hire. Whenever possible, seek out internships, volunteer opportunities and part-time jobs that allow you to gain exposure to anything related to your specialization. While any experience working with the law is good, future employers and clients may prefer experience with immigration law.

Who might be interested in immigration law?

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?.

What do immigration lawyers do?

The immigration issues that have seen intense political debate and media coverage in recent years are only part of the story.

How can you become an immigration lawyer?

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.

What does immigration law pay?

It’s no secret that legal careers tend to pay well, though individual lawyers’ salaries can vary considerably, even within the same legal specialty, like immigration law. The services you offer, clientele you serve, and area of the country you practice in can all affect earning potential.

Where can I learn more?

There are certainly plenty of online resources to help you learn more about becoming an immigration lawyer; however, you may find it’s helpful to start by connecting with people in the field.

How long does it take to become an immigration lawyer?

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. Those who pass the bar exam on their first try can be licensed as attorneys about seven and a half years after graduating from high school.

Do immigration lawyers take bar exams?

Most US law schools offer few if any courses in immigration law. Additionally, immigration law is ignored on my state bar exams and bar review courses. Because of this, and because few immigration cases are published, the typical immigration lawyer’s knowledge comes from hands-on practice experience. The lawyer may start his career in a junior position at an immigration law firm, work his way up, and perhaps even open his own law office.

Is immigration law politically sensitive?

Immigration law is one of the most politically sensitive areas of law, and it can change with astonishing rapidity. Changes in immigration law have proceeded at a dizzying pace during the Trump administration, for example. It is for this reason that when you select an immigration lawyer, you should choose a candidate with recent experience in ...

Is immigration law federal or state law?

Jurisdictional Freedom. Immigration law is federal law, not state law. As a consequence, obtaining a license to practice law in any state will entitle you to practice immigration law anywhere in the United States without taking the time to join that state’s bar association.

Can an immigration lawyer practice in any area of law?

Since the US does not offer separate licenses for different legal practice areas (with limited exceptions), an immigration lawyer is typically entitled to practice in any area of law, and many immigration lawyers do exactly that. Be wary of this type of “jack of all trades” lawyer. Immigration lawyers perform the following tasks, among others:

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.

Andrew John Bartlett

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.

Alena Shautsova

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.

Madeline AF Ellis

Everyone has their own way of finding a 'path'. I had a double major in Education & Psychology with a minor in Computer Science. As a result I can be sensitive to my client's needs and 'teach' them how to do things the 'right' way. Plus, I do quite a few high tech...

F. J. Capriotti III

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.

William J Popovich

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,

Boris Alexander Palant

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!

Scott Thomas Stotz

Whatever you are interested in. Being able to speak a foreign language doesn't hurt.