How to Become an Immigration Attorney

Immigration law is a large part of the legal industry.

Immigration law has many aspects. Though it is possible to concentrate entirely in immigration law, dealing with issues such as getting citizenship, people in business law, criminal law, employment law and even human rights advocacy also spend much of their time dealing with aspects of immigration laws. This includes finding work visas for large corporations or helping an immigrant with a personal injury suit. Immigration lawyers can work in small or large practices.

Instructions

1. During law school, develop your ability to communicate well. Many people you will be working with on a daily basis do not speak English or have only a small grasp of the language.

2. Take a course in immigration law at your school, or speak with your adviser about taking the course at another school and having the credits transferred to your school. Also, the American Bar Association offers yearly seminars on immigration law.

3. Find an internship with a lawyer who already specializes in immigration law in order to get some hands-on experience before you leave law school. You also may be able to get some time working with immigrants at a law clinic or a similar program offered by your law school.

Tips & Warnings

• You may be able to secure a government job working in an office that deals with immigrants, such as the Department of Homeland Security. You can gain a lot of hands-on experience through a position like this.

• The American Bar Association has committees that work explicitly with immigration law and that allow student memberships. These memberships often include newsletter subscriptions that may include practical information for immigration attorneys.

References

• American Bar Association: Hot Practice, September 2003.
• American Bar Association: Hot Practice, November 2000.