how to become certified in attorney immigration

Is employment law taught?

Employment Law in Practice. All of us in the workplace are governed by laws, but these laws are rarely taught as part of professional training or covered in any onboarding process. In many cases, we don't know about the laws governing the workplace until something goes wrong.

Is international talent always straightforward?

The decision to pursue international talent, however, is not always straightforward — it requires significant consideration.

Where did Professor Yale-Loehr practice law?

From 1982 to 1986, Professor Yale-Loehr practiced international trade and immigration law at a large law firm in Washington, D.C.

What is an immigration lawyer?

Immigration lawyers are responsible for interpreting and giving advice on citizenship, migration, political asylum, business immigration, and securing work, travel, or student visas. Aside from these, they may also represent people who are facing deportation and assist families with processing international adoptions.#N#They have a lot of work options, as they can work in the government, enter private practice, apply at a law firm, or work for non-profit organizations.#N#Aside from passing the bar exam, candidates have to obtain state-specific licenses and take continuing education courses to be able to qualify as an immigration lawyer. They must also be up to date with current events and policies related to immigration.

How much do immigration attorneys make?

Immigration Attorneys in America make an average salary of $79,866 per year or $38 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $139,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $45,000 per year.

What are the best states to work as an immigration attorney?

The best states for people in this position are New York, California, Washington, and Massachusetts. Immigration attorneys make the most in New York with an average salary of $110,990. Whereas in California and Washington , they would average $110,954 and $109,040, respectively. While immigration attorneys would only make an average of $105,197 in Massachusetts , you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

What is location quotient?

Location Quotient is a measure used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) to determine how concentrated a certain industry is in a single state compared to the nation as a whole. You can read more about how BLS calculates location quotients here

Where did the majority of immigrants come from in 2013?

Large numbers of immigrants also came from Vietnam, China, the Philippines, India and Korea. Immigration to the US from Asian countries has continued to grow for several years and represents the largest group of immigrants to the US.

What are some ways to meet practitioners in the field?

Attend an annual conference to rub shoulders with establish immigration attorneys. The continuing legal education courses offered by professional organizations are a great way to supplement your law school education.

Become an Authorized Provider

Anyone wishing to provide the public with immigration services must be authorized by the Department of Justice (DOJ)'s Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). Visit the OLAP’s Recognition and Accreditation Program page to learn how an organization can apply for recognition and accreditation (R&A).

USCIS Role in Review

OLAP offers USCIS the opportunity to review applications for applicants' qualifications.

Why Become Authorized?

DOJ-recognized organizations and accredited representatives provide essential support to USCIS and the public. They provide:

Purpose

To identify those lawyers who practice immigration and nationality law and have the special knowledge, skills, and proficiency, as well as the character, ethics, and reputation for professionalism to be properly identified to the public as board certified in immigration and nationality law.

Becoming Board Certified

All applicants for board certification or recertification should carefully read the Rules Regulating The Florida Bar to be sure you have met each of the requirements prior to filing your application. Unless the rules provide for a waiver of a specific requirement, each of the requirements must be met by the dates indicated in the rule.

Exam Tools & Information

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How to prepare for the exam

Visit the exam information webpage to get information regarding eligibility requirements, registration details, and updates regarding the Legal Specialist Examination.

Examination results

Exam results are valid up to three years after the exam. The 2019 Legal Specialist Examination results were sent via email on March 13, 2020, to the preferred email address identified on your Admissions Applicant Portal .

Requirements for certification

After passing the exam, you can submit a post-exam application for certification through the Applicant Portal. Your certification application will need the following information for the California Board of Legal Specialization (CBLS) to review:

Review process

The review process generally takes about six months from the time you file your post-examination application.