HOW TO BECOME ONE OF THE BEST IMMIGRATION LAWYERS?
After the United States experienced the tragedies brought on by 9/11, immigration has become more of a controversial area of concern. Despite this event, the United States still permits 1 million aliens to become Legal Permanent Residents every year and grants more visas to visitors than any other country in the world. In the United States, the Department of Homeland Security oversees immigration law and grants benefits to aliens.
Being an immigration lawyer is a highly specialized field. A thorough understanding of the law in general as well as a grasp and fluency in the areas of immigration, citizenship and employment set immigration lawyers apart in their field of expertise. The job of an immigration lawyer can be very fulfilling as it assists others to achieve their dream of obtaining U.S. citizenship.
Educational Requirements
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. Internships and other applicable work experience are vital for job applicants who want to stand a head above the rest. Once the law degree has been obtained, the BAR exam must be passed in order to legally practice law in the state of residency.
Immigration Law Programs by Degree Program Level
Essential Information
A student interested in immigration law can earn an undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, which typically includes coursework related to immigration. Some graduates go on to attain Juris Doctor degrees in law with a specialization in immigration law. A Master of Laws degree in immigration law is an option after the J.D. Certificate programs are also offered and may include some online course options.
Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice
When earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, students gain a broad understanding of the U.S. legal system, especially aspects involving corrections, immigration, security, and probation. Most programs examine economic, cultural, social, and political factors that contribute to crime, as well as the effect of legal measures and government policy on crime.
Criminal justice bachelor’s degree programs typically require a minimum of 36 hours of major coursework. Students are recommended to complete internships with a legal firm or advocacy organization that specializes in immigration issues. Typical courses covered in most criminal justice programs include the following:
- Introduction to criminal justice
- Criminology
- Introduction to law
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Ethics in criminal justice
Juris Doctor
A student who has earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-law or criminal justice may go on to receive a Juris Doctor, which provides the coursework and training necessary to pass the bar exam and become a lawyer. For those interested in specializing in immigration law, participation with an immigration law clinic is recommended. It provides students with an understanding of the asylum process in the U.S. and informs them of the public policies regarding immigration and naturalization. Students interested in immigration law will also often work with professional immigration lawyers and their clients to gain hands-on experience before going on to pass the bar exam and become professional immigration lawyers themselves.
To enroll in a Juris Doctor program, students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). Minimum scores for entrance vary by school, with the 90th percentile of test takers scoring an average score of 163.
Students must typically complete around 65 hours of coursework in pursuit of a Juris Doctor program. Many law schools offer, in addition to coursework, legal research project options, internships, and clinics. Typical coursework includes the following:
- Constitutional law
- Torts
- Contracts
- Legal methods
- Civil procedure
Master of Laws with an Immigration Law Concentration
Upon completion of a Juris Doctor, lawyers interested in immigration law may enroll in a Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree, typically a one-year program that allows them to concentrate on a specific area of law. Another option is to pursue a certificate in immigration law. Many Master of Laws programs are elective-based, although some programs are tailored specifically for areas of specialization. These programs usually have strong writing and research components, in addition to practical work, such as internships, that may be required for degree completion. To earn a Master of Laws degree, students must complete around 16 hours of coursework. Typical coursework includes the following:
- Business immigration law
- Constitutional law
- Immigration law
- Federal courts
- Immigration and refugee policy
- International law
Immigration Lawyer Skills
In addition to extensive legal knowledge and specialized training, Immigration Lawyers must also have superb communication skills, especially when it comes to interacting with clients from different countries and cultures, many of whom may not be fluent in English. Immigration Lawyers frequently work with clients who are faced with extremely high-stakes situations, and thus must be able to patiently communicate and gather information even when their clients are anxious, frustrated and scared. Additionally, since Immigration Lawyers handle cases whose success is dependent on the smallest of details, they must also be able to work precisely and meticulously under strong pressure and strict deadlines.
Some other key Immigration Lawyer skills include:
- A high level of organization
- Calm and pleasant demeanor under stressful conditions
- Attention to detail
- Ability to navigate complicated legal processes
Steps to Becoming a Successful Immigration Lawyer
First, Research your Career
The work of every immigration lawyer or express entry lawyer includes helping immigrants gather a green card to work and reside in Canada under settled political asylum. These lawyers also assist illegal immigrants and defend them to ensure that they are accepted as naturalized citizens. Most cases involve meeting client, deciphering cases and scenarios, interviewing clients, writing motions, formulating forms and means to win cases in court.
Second, the Bachelor’s Degree
The start of your immigration career begins via the much-needed bachelor’s degree. You need to enroll yourself for the best college offering a bachelor’s degree in law. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, any novice immigration lawyer needs to enroll in classes related to logic, research, and communication. Further, you also require to be adept in more than one foreign language, as per as have a wide knowledge of world politics and affairs.
Third, Graduation
This isn’t any secret, skilled express entry lawyer have graduated from a good law school in Canada or abroad. Further, participants need to acquire a Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited with the American Bar Association. Additionally, other factors involved include garnering a top score on the Law School Admission Test. This will help you get accepted into the best law school in the vicinity.
After this, you will select your course and pick out immigration law to study.
Fourth, Cracking the Bar Exam
This is probably the toughest stage for all immigration lawyers. Qualifying the bar exam requires giving a 6-hour Multistate Bar Test, that analyzes your skill in various fields of law. Qualifying this one ensures you of a practicing license in your state for immigration law.
Fifth, Joining the Association for Immigration Attorneys
You can either take the assistance of a professional or a mentor for helping you become acquainted with the immigration law practices, or you can join an association for immigration lawyers. These have a network of professionals who can guide you in finding the right company or agency to collaborate with.
So, now that you know of the 5 steps taken up by immigration lawyer or express entry lawyer, ensure that you start with your research today. Find the correct law school, and study hard and diligently to get acceptance. Remember, at the end of the day, hard work, consistency, and dedication will help you achieve a career in immigration law, and gain you steady fast profit.
Ways to Market Your Immigration Law Practice
For many immigration practitioners, whether for-profit or non-profit, there are easy ways to get your organization’s name out there in a meaningful way. Marketing doesn’t have to be costly but at minimum, should be conducted in a smart and consistent manner in order to reap the greatest impact.
Online Blogs
For the practitioner ready to take a bigger step in marketing, blogging is another means to inform existing clients of important news and to attract new clients. According to the same June report by the ABA, there are more attorneys, slowly but surely, blogging now than ever before. This is no surprise because more individuals have greater access to the internet via smartphones, which are essentially hand-held computers with amazing processing capabilities. Blogging is not for the faint-hearted. It requires regular posts meriting commentary or providing readers with timely or thought-provoking information. While blogging may not cost much in terms of money, it’s a long-term investment requiring skill, energy, and lots of time.
Build a Website
The concept of “building” a website can be frightening for many business owners. Fortunately, there are many tools online that will allow you to quickly build a website by using templates. There are plenty of free programs online that will allow you to build a website for “free” provided you allow the designer to advertise their services. Other vendors may charge a basic monthly or annual rate. If you want a fancy website customized to your taste, be prepared to pay more. The ultimate goal of the website is to allow potential and existing customers to find your business location, hours, ways to contact you, and learn about your services and skills. Some attorneys will want their websites to reflect their mission and brand.
Online Client Reviews
Attorneys and legal service providers are quickly learning that reviews by clients are an important tool in showcasing your organization’s legal prowess and client skills. There are sites online devoted exclusive to online reviews of business, including lawyers. Some attorneys have encouraged clients to leave honest feedback on review websites. Other attorneys have provided client reviews directly on their own websites.