How to become an immigration lawyer

How to become an Immigration Lawyer

Becoming an immigration lawyer requires a combination of education, practical experience, and licensure. Here’s an overview of the pathway to the career:

Earn a Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is mandatory before entering law school. While there is no specific undergraduate major required, many prospective immigration lawyers choose degrees in political science, international relations, sociology, history, or foreign languages.

The focus should be on courses that develop strong writing, critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills, as these are essential for law school and legal practice.

Take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT)

• Purpose – The LSAT is a standardized test required for admission to most law schools in the US (or the equivalent in other countries). It assesses logical reasoning, analytical thinking, and reading comprehension.
• Preparation – Many aspiring immigration lawyers take LSAT prep courses, use online resources, and practise with sample tests.

Attend Law School

• Degree – Earn a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or the equivalent authority in your country.
• Curriculum – Foundational subjects include constitutional law, contracts, torts, criminal law, and ethics. To specialize in immigration law, choose elective courses or participate in clinical programs focused on immigration law, human rights law, and international law. Some law schools may offer distinct programs or concentrations in immigration law.

Pass the Bar Exam

• Requirement – After earning your J.D. degree, you must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where you intend to practise.
• Focus Areas – The bar exam tests knowledge of state and federal law, ethics, and procedure.
• Preparation – Enroll in a bar review course and study intensively.
• In addition to passing the bar exam, jurisdictions may require candidates to take an ethics exam, take an oath, and undergo a background check as part of the licensing process.

Gain Experience

• Internships or Clerkships – During law school, gain hands-on experience through internships, externships, or clerkships with law firms or government agencies that handle immigration cases. This can be crucial to provide you with insight into real-world immigration law.
• Volunteer Work – Volunteering with legal aid organizations or clinics that offer immigration law services can provide valuable experience, especially for those pursuing a career in helping low-income or vulnerable populations.
• Begin working as an immigration lawyer, either by joining a law firm, starting your own practice, or working for a government or non-profit organization.

Pursue a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Immigration Law (Optional)
Master’s programs in immigration or immigration and citizenship focus on migration and human rights. They explore the rights of racial and ethnic minorities, women, gender-diverse people, and issues of social and economic fairness. Students take advanced courses in topics like asylum and refugee law, immigration and health policies, defending against deportation, workplace rights, discrimination, human rights advocacy, international law, and poverty-related legal issues.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Immigration law evolves frequently, so staying updated with new laws, policies, and case precedents is crucial. Many states require lawyers to earn continuing legal education (CLE) credits throughout their careers, which often include specialized immigration law topics.

Certifications
There are various certifications available to immigration lawyers that demonstrate expertise in specific areas of immigration law. Here are some prominent ones:

• Board Certification in Immigration Law (US) – This designation is offered by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) or state bar associations (in states such as Florida, Texas, and New York). Candidate requirements include significant experience in immigration law (usually at least five years of practice), a certain number of cases or client representations in immigration law, passing an exam that tests specialized knowledge in immigration law, and peer reviews and continuing legal education in immigration law.
• Immigration and Nationality Law Certified Specialist – This certification is offered by the State Bar of California. Only California attorneys who have earned board certification in immigration and nationality law can advertise or identify themselves as a 'certified specialist' or 'board certified' in this area of law. Candidate requirements include at least five years of practice in immigration law, a significant number of immigration law cases handled, passing an immigration law exam, and demonstrated participation in continuing legal education related to immigration law.
• Global Mobility Specialist – This specialized certification, offered by some organizations and universities, recognizes professionals with comprehensive knowledge in global talent mobility and intercultural management skills. It is particularly relevant for lawyers working with multinational corporations and foreign workers.
• Humanitarian and Refugee Law Certification – Certifications in this area are offered by various institutions and organizations and are targeted at lawyers specializing in asylum, refugee protection, or humanitarian immigration cases.

Professional Organizations
In addition to the certifying bodies referenced above in the Certifications section, the following organizations and associations also support the immigration law sector:

• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) –AILA is the leading professional association for immigration lawyers in the United States. It is dedicated to promoting justice, advocating for fair immigration policies, and supporting immigration lawyers through education, resources, and networking opportunities.
• ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Immigrants’ Rights Project is dedicated to expanding and enforcing the civil liberties and civil rights of immigrants and to combating public and private discrimination against them.
• National Immigration Project (NIP) – The NIP is a membership organization of attorneys, advocates, and community members who are driven by the belief that all people should be treated with dignity, live freely, and flourish. It litigates, advocates, educates, and builds bridges across movements to ensure that those who are impacted by US immigration and criminal legal systems are uplifted and supported.
• National Association of Immigration Judges (NAIJ) – NAIJ is a professional organization which advocates for the independence and professional standards of immigration judges in the United States. It also plays an important role in the broader immigration law community, providing opportunities to engage in discussions about immigration court practices and policies, as well as resources related to the judicial aspects of immigration law.
• American Bar Association (ABA) – The ABA's Commission on Immigration focuses on immigration law, offering resources and advocacy to lawyers practising in this area.
• Federal Bar Association (FBA) – Members of the FBA’s Immigration Law Section include immigration judges and government attorneys from various executive branch agencies as well as private, NGO, non-profit, law student, and academic practitioners. Each practitioner brings their unique perspective and voice to the complexity of US immigration law.
• National Legal Aid & Defender Association (NLADA) – The NLADA is an association that supports public defenders and legal aid lawyers, including those specializing in immigration law. It focuses on improving access to justice for underserved populations.
• International Bar Association (IBA) – The IBA is a global organization that provides a platform for legal professionals worldwide. It offers a wide array of resources to immigration lawyers, particularly through its Immigration and Nationality Law Committee.
• Canadian Bar Association (CBA) – The Immigration Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association supports immigration lawyers in Canada. It offers resources for professional development, advocacy, and networking.
• Immigration Law Practitioners Association (ILPA) – is a UK-based professional association for lawyers and academics practising in or concerned about immigration, asylum, and nationality law.
• European Immigration Lawyers Network (EILN) – EILN is a network of immigration lawyers across Europe. It promotes collaboration and professional development among immigration law practitioners within the European Union.