Immigration Law is the set of national statutes, regulations, and legal precedents that govern immigration. It differs from naturalization and citizenship, though these terms are often conflated. Immigration law is a vitally important field of study, as it focuses on ensuring the safety and stability of immigrant communities and is critical to advancing human rights.
Courses
Courses in immigration law provide students with the skills they need to apply for legal status in the United States. Whether you’re a new arrival or a permanent resident, immigration laws can impact your life in many ways. For example, immigration status can impact your employment status or your ability to obtain citizenship. It can also impact custody determinations. In addition to these practical aspects, immigration law courses teach you about human rights and the various processes involved in applying for legal status.
Experiential learning opportunities
There are a variety of experiential learning opportunities in immigration law. For example, students can work at an immigration law firm or ICE detention center. They can also consult with clients, complete legal research, and draft memoranda of law. In addition, they can also be trained to defend immigrants in court.
Careers
If you have a passion for social justice and want to make a difference in the world, a career in immigration law might be right for you. You will get the chance to work with people from many different cultures, and you’ll get to work on important issues regarding human rights. Immigration lawyers can work in various areas of the law, including criminal defense, constitutional and civil rights, family law, and education law. You can also work in entertainment, sports, and business law.
Faculty
The Faculty of Immigration Law at UC Davis offers a diverse curriculum that combines classroom instruction with practical experience. Students in the program counsel, draft documents and attend hearings in Immigration Court. They work with faculty members with international reputations, substantial scholarship, and extensive practice experience. Clinics, including the Center for New Americans, offer direct legal assistance and information to immigrants and their families. Students also have the opportunity to participate in impact federal litigation.
Research
There are many different ways to conduct your research into immigration law. You may want to start by visiting your local law library, or you can find primary and secondary sources online. Immigration law is a complex patchwork of statutes, administrative regulations, and court decisions. It is also constantly changing, and you may not find every case that relates to your issue in a single book.
Center for Research on Immigration, Population, and Public Policy
The Center for Research on Immigration, Population, and Public policy is a multidisciplinary center at Cornell University that fosters interdisciplinary research and training in migration, demography, and population change. Its faculty and students are committed to understanding population change, migration, and poverty. The center also promotes diversity and inclusion, bringing together diverse faculty, students, and communities to address pressing societal issues.