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Is it really necessary for Immigration Lawyers to do 7 years of school after High School ?
#immigration #school #lawyer
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Suzanne’s Answer
America, this is a great question. If 7 years more schooling is unappealing, it's definitely worth looking into other ways to provide legal support to immigrants that doesn't require a law degree or bar membership (which require 7 years of school). Particularly as a paralegal or in some similar role to what Kim suggests. If you are interested in working as an immigration attorney, consider reaching out to a legal clinic or a law firm that supports immigrants and asking the lawyers and other professionals there what roles there are, and what it takes to fill those roles. You may also find that there are opportunities for you to volunteer or possibly work at such organization even while you are a student, on a part time basis. For example, a lot of immigration work involves helping immigrants identify, assemble, and provide documents that support their applications. You don't need a degree to learn/be trained in how some of that works, and you could start helping people years before you have a degree, and get an idea of what a career in the area is like.
try googling "immigration clinic" for a clinic near you, and call or email the clinic to ask for an information interview, or if there are opportunities for you to work or volunteer with the clinic
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Updated
Mackenzie’s Answer
No, it is not typically necessary for Immigration Lawyers to spend 7 years in school after high school. Becoming an Immigration Lawyer in the United States typically involves the following educational path:
1. **Bachelor's Degree**: After high school, individuals usually complete a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years to complete. While there's no specific major required for law school admission, many aspiring lawyers choose majors related to law, politics, international relations, or a field that aligns with their interests.
2. **Law School (Juris Doctor or JD)**: Law school typically takes three years to complete, not seven. After earning a bachelor's degree, you'll attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Law school itself is a three-year program focused on legal education and training.
3. **Bar Exam**: After graduating from law school, individuals must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to practice law. The bar exam assesses knowledge of state-specific laws and legal procedures. While bar exam preparation is essential, it's not considered part of the formal education timeline.
In total, the path to becoming an Immigration Lawyer involves seven years of education after high school: four years for a bachelor's degree and three years for law school. After passing the bar exam, you can become a licensed attorney and may choose to specialize in immigration law through additional training or experience.
Keep in mind that the specific educational requirements can vary by country and jurisdiction. Additionally, some countries offer integrated undergraduate law programs, which allow individuals to begin their legal education immediately after high school, but this is not the standard in the United States.
1. **Bachelor's Degree**: After high school, individuals usually complete a bachelor's degree, which typically takes four years to complete. While there's no specific major required for law school admission, many aspiring lawyers choose majors related to law, politics, international relations, or a field that aligns with their interests.
2. **Law School (Juris Doctor or JD)**: Law school typically takes three years to complete, not seven. After earning a bachelor's degree, you'll attend law school to obtain a Juris Doctor (JD) degree. Law school itself is a three-year program focused on legal education and training.
3. **Bar Exam**: After graduating from law school, individuals must pass the bar exam in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to practice law. The bar exam assesses knowledge of state-specific laws and legal procedures. While bar exam preparation is essential, it's not considered part of the formal education timeline.
In total, the path to becoming an Immigration Lawyer involves seven years of education after high school: four years for a bachelor's degree and three years for law school. After passing the bar exam, you can become a licensed attorney and may choose to specialize in immigration law through additional training or experience.
Keep in mind that the specific educational requirements can vary by country and jurisdiction. Additionally, some countries offer integrated undergraduate law programs, which allow individuals to begin their legal education immediately after high school, but this is not the standard in the United States.
Updated
Maya’s Answer
Hi America!
Generally in order to become a lawyer, you will have to complete around 4 years of undergraduate education and then another three years of law school regardless of which area of law you are interested in pursuing. However, there are other options for lawyers to gain credentials as a lawyers such as apprenticeships, but all students who want to be lawyers need to take and pass the BAR exam. These requirements and the contents of the exams you will take are going to differ by state but most people generally prefer going to law school over apprenticeships because law schools are geared towards preparing you for the BAR exam while that might not be the case with apprenticeships. I know seven years seems like a lot but if you are passionate about immigration law there are other careers in law besides being a lawyer and even then there is no reason why you can't achieve this goal. I also provided a link below that lines out the requirements in more detail if you want to take a look. Hope this helps!
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/lawyer/
Generally in order to become a lawyer, you will have to complete around 4 years of undergraduate education and then another three years of law school regardless of which area of law you are interested in pursuing. However, there are other options for lawyers to gain credentials as a lawyers such as apprenticeships, but all students who want to be lawyers need to take and pass the BAR exam. These requirements and the contents of the exams you will take are going to differ by state but most people generally prefer going to law school over apprenticeships because law schools are geared towards preparing you for the BAR exam while that might not be the case with apprenticeships. I know seven years seems like a lot but if you are passionate about immigration law there are other careers in law besides being a lawyer and even then there is no reason why you can't achieve this goal. I also provided a link below that lines out the requirements in more detail if you want to take a look. Hope this helps!
https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/lawyer/
Updated
Kim’s Answer
Paralegals can make pretty good money. This is usually either a 2 year degree, or, a 4 year degree followed by a special course to become a paralegal. If you go this route, do your homework. There are many schools, and they are not all equally good. You want to find one that is approved by the American Bar Association.
Otherwise, yes, the traditional law school path is 4 yr bachelor degree followed by 3 years of law school. And within the first month after starting your first job, you will come to realize how much you still do not know!
Otherwise, yes, the traditional law school path is 4 yr bachelor degree followed by 3 years of law school. And within the first month after starting your first job, you will come to realize how much you still do not know!