Immigration law has been at the forefront of national discourse. Changes in immigration policy and enforcement require lawyers to serve as interpreters, enforcers and advocates.
Immigration law also intersects with a broad range of legal fields, including employment, education, human rights and family law. Such diverse opportunities make immigration law an attractive practice area for aspiring law school students.
If you are pursuing a career in immigration law, here’s what to consider when choosing a law school.
[Consider pursuing a J.D. for an immigration law, policy career.]
Clinical Work
Clinical work is particularly important for aspiring immigration lawyers. Navigating cultural differences and drawing upon foreign language skills are experiences that will make you more marketable upon graduation.
Research law schools before you apply. Look for opportunities to gain hands-on work experience as a law student.
Clinical programs can expose you to a variety of legal issues surrounding immigration. For example, the University of Texas–Austin offers an immigration clinic with cases that help with asylum applications, U visas for victims of domestic violence, citizenship claims and deportation proceedings.
A law school’s location can also play a big role in the type of immigration-focused clinical programs available. Larger cities and border states like California and Texas tend to have larger immigrant populations and, in turn, resources dedicated to immigration issues.
Note that while the majority of clinical programs may focus on defending immigrant rights, enforcement offices like the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services need lawyers, too. Even if you want to enforce immigration policies, advocating on behalf of immigrants through a clinical program can give you valuable perspective.
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Concentrations and Certificates
Those committed to a career in immigration law may also consider formally concentrating their J.D. studies in this field.
Look for law schools with concentrations that offer more than a list of relevant coursework. For example, the University of Virginia‘s Immigration Law program gives students a chance to participate in community service and pro bono projects in partnership with local law firms, legal aid programs, committees and coalitions. These experiences are available in addition to participating in the Immigration Law Clinic.
Loyola Marymount University Law School in Los Angeles offers a concentration in immigrant advocacy that allows students to go beyond coursework by building in clinical work, networking events and honors recognition that signal to immigration law employers that graduates are ready to hit the ground running.
The University of Califronia–Davis School of Law awards an Immigration Law Certificate to students who complete the necessary course requirements and write a significant research paper on a topic related to immigration or citizenship law. Undertaking legal scholarship is an excellent way to engage in discussions about immigration law issues.
Once you’ve identified a list of reach, target and safety schools that offer appealing immigration law programming, think about how to craft an application that showcases what you have to offer as a prospective student.
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Avoid an Immigration Story Personal Statement
Many applicants interested in immigration law have a personal connection to the field. Perhaps you or your parents are immigrants. You can certainly highlight elements of your background that give you insight into the immigrant experience.
However, avoid writing a personal statement that focuses solely on your immigration story. Being an immigrant or descendant of immigrants or or a neighbor, teacher or friend of an immigrant does not qualify you to practice law.
Instead, think about how you can use your personal statement to highlight any academic, professional or extracurricular experiences you have gained that enrich your understanding of immigrant life. Can you demonstrate a thoughtful awareness of executive orders and recently passed legislation? Or consider articulating how you envision using your J.D. to advance immigration issues.
Go beyond personal anecdotes. Convince admissions committee readers that this is an issue you care about because it affects a large segment of the U.S. population.
You’ll earn extra credit if you can weave in your school-specific research to show why you are applying. Admissions committees appreciate when applicants demonstrate genuine interest in the school.
Have questions about how to pick the right law school for you? Email lawadmissionslowdown@usnews.com.
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Pick the Right Law School for Immigration Law Career originally appeared on usnews.com
