There are many reasons why you might want to study law. Maybe you are interested in corporate law and have always wanted to be directly involved in mergers and acquisitions. Or perhaps your calling is in family law, where you can help people to deal with issues such as divorce, child custody, or adoptions. Alternatively, it could be that you want to become an immigration attorney because you have a passion for helping immigrants to have a better life, like the good folk at Graham Adair. Whatever your reason, the following is a brief outline of what immigration lawyers do and what you would need to make a good immigration attorney.
What Immigration Lawyers Do
The U.S. has applications from people from all over the world who want to move to the country and make a better life for themselves. Some want to live and work here while others want to study before returning to their own country to work. No matter the reason for a person wishing to enter the U.S., a visa is required. This is where an immigration lawyer can help.
Securing a visa to enter the U.S. for anything other than a leisure trip can be a complicated process which can take a lot of time. Every case is different and there may be times when other issues come into play such as a person’s immigration status having an impact on other areas of law such as business law, tax law, family law, and even criminal law. An immigration lawyer must have an in-depth knowledge of all areas of law to do their job properly.
An immigration lawyer will be able to advise clients of their legal rights when it comes to immigration. They may also represent clients in court when required.
When it comes to a business hiring foreign workers, the counsel of a professional immigration attorney is hugely advantageous. Immigration lawyers provide assistance in completing the correct paperwork and can give information about what steps an employer needs to take in order to secure the appropriate visa.
What Skills Does an Immigration Lawyer Need?
To become an immigration lawyer, you will need to earn a law degree by completing an undergraduate degree course and then going to law school. After obtaining your Juris Doctor degree from law school, you will need to pass the bar exam in your home state or the state where you intend to practice.
But in addition to studying to become a lawyer and passing the state bar exam, there are certain attributes that a person should have to become a successful immigration attorney.
You should preferably have an interest in human rights, and you should enjoy working closely with people from other countries as this is what you will be doing on a day-to-day basis when qualified.
In addition to knowledge of the immigration laws in the United States, an immigration attorney will need to know about the law in other areas such as civil rights, crime, the constitution, entertainment, families, education, sports, business, and tax.
When it comes to personal attributes, it helps if you are an empathetic person and a strong communicator. You will have success if you genuinely care about those you are helping. It will mean that you can develop a good relationship with the individuals you are working with.
Lastly, good attention to detail is vital for an immigration attorney, as tiny errors have the potential to cause massive problems for an immigration case.
If you fit the profile and have a passion for helping others, then immigration law could be the career for you.
