Immigration Lawyer: Career Summary, Occupational Outlook, and Educational Requirements
Research what it takes to become an immigration lawyer. Learn about job duties, education requirements, average salary and employment outlook to find out if this is the career for you.
What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?
When an immigrant's official status in the U.S. is expected to change, the expertise of an immigration lawyer can be invaluable. Immigration lawyers work with clients on immigration issues like visas, residency or deportation. Many of these law experts work for companies that have global ties and need employees to work in other countries. Others work independently to fix local immigration problems through proper paperwork or within a courtroom if necessary. The following chart gives you an overview of what you need to know about entering this field.
<table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctor</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Key Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Assist clients who are establishing legal residency or facing deportation; communicate with clients, research cases, write motions and argue in court</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Licensure</b> </td><td> Pass the bar examination in the state where you will practice</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 9% for all lawyers*</td></tr>
<tr><td> <b>Average Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $148,910 for all lawyers*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---ImmigrationLawyerDefined">Immigration Lawyer Defined</h3><p>As an immigration attorney, you provide advocacy and administrative services to foreigners wishing to establish legal residence in the United States or handle the deportation process. According to the American Bar Association, immigration is constantly changing and requires varied skills. Immigration lawyers work in a variety of settings, including government agencies, universities, corporate offices, general practice law firms and immigration law clinics.
</p><p>You must be knowledgeable in the laws governing immigrant entry and residence, and use your knowledge to help individuals transition successfully and lawfully from one country to another. Immigration lawyers also represent their clients in court. The subfield of immigration law is very complex, and many immigration lawyers focus on only one aspect of it, such as foreign national employment or marriage-related immigration.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsMyEmploymentOutlook">What Is My Employment Outlook?</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a large number of law school graduates were expected to enter the workforce between 2020 and 2030, which will lead to significant competition for jobs. Most new attorneys begin in firms; however, about 17% of lawyers were self-employed in 2020, according to the BLS. Employment growth was projected to occur at a rate of 9% for all lawyers during the 2020-2030 decade, which is as fast as average rate of growth when compared to other occupations. The combination of these factors suggests that there will be more competition for jobs in the field. As of May 2020, the BLS reports that the average annual salary for all lawyers was $148,910.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatTypeOfEducationIsRequired">What Type of Education Is Required?</h3><p>To become an immigration lawyer, you must earn a bachelor's degree and a Juris Doctor (JD) law degree; this means completing seven years of study beyond high school. There is no specific degree requirement at the baccalaureate level. The admissions process for law school is quite intense; you must complete the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) examination prior to application. During law school, you take courses in immigration law that involve citizenship, advising, interviewing and statutory analysis. You also want to seek out internships and practical experiences. After graduation from law school, you must become licensed to practice law. The specifics of this process differ by state and jurisdiction.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeRelatedAlternativeCareers">What Are Some Related Alternative Careers?</h3><p>Similar occupations involving law could include specializing in fields like tax law, defense law, or international law. Lawyers in these fields represent clients or companies with problems in these areas. Other related fields could include arbitration or mediation, where professionals help solve problems between people or groups without necessarily going to court. These positions would require a bachelor's degree at minimum. Working as a paralegal or legal assistant is another option - these professionals need an associate's degree or equivalent. Paralegals gather information for attorneys or help clients with paperwork, among many other duties in a law practice.</p>