why do you want to be an immigration lawyer

Full Answer

What is immigration law and why is it important for attorneys?

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.

Does it make sense to go to Law School for immigration?

Suddenly, my decision to go to law school made sense and my desire to be a lawyer became all the more real. Immigration is one of those fields of law where individuals experience government authority in a very visceral way. Immigration laws can have the effect of either saving or ruining the lives of an entire family.

Do immigration lawyers get paid well?

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.

What degree do I need to become an immigration 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).

Why do you love being an immigration lawyer?

In my humble opinion, the vast majority of immigrants – both those “legal” and “illegal” – want the same things as everyone else – safety, warmth, food, a nice life. Helping them get there is a great reward for me.

Why do you want to work in immigration?

Desire to protect citizens: Immigration officers help to ensure the safe and legal immigration of people coming into the U.S. You may want to work in this role because you have a desire to protect U.S. citizens by defending the country's immigration processes.

What skills do immigration lawyers need?

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.

Is becoming an immigration lawyer hard?

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.

How do you answer immigration interview questions?

Answer all questions fully, succinctly, and truthfully, but do not volunteer information unless asked. If you're unsure of the answer or do not understand a question, you should always say so rather than guess.

What should you say about yourself in an interview?

How to answer “tell me about yourself”Mention past experiences and proven successes as they relate to the position. ... Consider how your current job relates to the job you're applying for. ... Focus on strengths and abilities that you can support with examples. ... Highlight your personality to break the ice.More items...

Do immigration lawyers make a lot of money?

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?

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 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

What are the benefits of immigration lawyer?

Here are seven advantages of being an immigration lawyer:Helping others. Often, immigration lawyers help their clients through important transitions in their lives. ... Meeting people. ... Learning different areas of law. ... Varying types of employers. ... Opening a practice. ... Advancing your career. ... Improving your job outlook.

How do I become an 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.

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.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

An immigration lawyer advises clients and businesses on legal matters related to immigration, which is the process of coming to the U.S. from another country to live or work. These lawyers represent their clients in court proceedings, assist them with legal documents and provide recommendations based on their understanding of immigration law.

Pros of being an immigration lawyer

If you're interested in a legal career, there are many reasons to consider becoming an immigration lawyer. Reviewing some advantages of this profession can help you decide whether to pursue a career in immigration law. Here are seven advantages of being an immigration lawyer:

Cons of being an immigration lawyer

While there are many benefits of a career in immigration law, it's also important to understand some challenges of working in this area. Comparing these drawbacks with the benefits of the profession can help you determine whether it's the right career for you. Here are seven cons of being an immigration lawyer:

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.

About Immigration Attorney Marlene Gonzalez

Over the past 20 years, Marlene F. Gonzalez has helped hundreds of clients in the area of Immigration Law in her. Recently she was recognized by the Utah Asian Chamber of Commerce as an “Outstanding Asian Professional”. In addition, Gonzalez Law USA received the honor of “Philanthropic Firm of the Year” by Holy Cross Ministries. Ms.

Contact an Immigration Attorney

If you or a loved one is in need of immigration assistance, please do not hesitate to call our office at (800) 265-2314 to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration attorney.

How to answer why you want to become a lawyer?

You can answer this question by following the steps below to highlight your strengths and make a great impression on the interviewer: 1. Focus on your strengths and skills. Give examples of your strongest skills that make you successful as a lawyer. For instance, your ability to communicate ...

What does it mean to interview for a lawyer?

Interviewing for a position as a lawyer means you'll likely encounter several different types of questions that will help the interviewer get to know you, assess your skills and compare your qualifications with what they're looking for.

What are some examples of skills that make you successful as a lawyer?

For instance, your ability to communicate persuasively, your attention to detail and your compassion towards your clients are strengths that you can have as a lawyer that make you successful at doing your job. Your pride in your skills and expertise can show the interviewer how motivated you are to succeed in the career.

What do you want to know about practicing law?

The interviewer will likely want to see that your core values and philosophy about practicing law connects with the job responsibilities and their firm's mission and values. Describe the character traits you feel you have developed as a lawyer and how these traits helped shape the values you have today. Then, relate these values to what you know about the company and the clients it serves.

Why is it important to hire an immigration lawyer?

One of the most important benefits that hiring an immigration lawyer can offer is less tangible than the others. The help of an expert that has experience making immigrants' dreams into realities cannot be understated. You see, it's invaluable to hire someone that's done it before for thousands in the same position as you find yourself now.

What can an immigration attorney do?

An experienced immigration attorney can walk you through the correct steps to apply for work permits, marriage licenses and citizenship, without allowing mistakes that derail your chance to get these crucial documents authorized by the proper parties. 2. They Are Seasoned by Experience.

What happens if you don't follow immigration laws?

If you don't follow these laws during your time in the country, you could be deported before your visa is expired or after acquiring permanent resident status. A skilled immigration lawyer can help understand these laws so you don't endanger your status as an immigrant with residency in the United States. 6.

Is immigration law a process?

As anyone that's gone through the process will tell you, navigating any area of immigration law is not an endeavor you'd want to go through alone. There is an extensive paperwork process that goes along with immigration that even natural-born U.S. citizens would struggle with, let alone immigrants from other countries for whom English is not their first language.

Can an immigration lawyer help you?

Immigrants have a more difficult time trying to find legal employment than the average American, let alone a job that earns a competitive salary in the United States. An immigration lawyer can assist you in the process of applying to jobs, interacting with human relations staff, and seeking employment opportunities.