How Chapters Can Welcome New Immigration Attorneys Now

Immigration attorneys are essential to ensuring access to justice, due process, and lawful pathways for families and businesses. As AC26 registration opens — offering savings of up to $330, chapters have a timely opportunity to strengthen the future of the profession by actively engaging law students and new attorneys.

For many aspiring immigration lawyers, the path forward can feel unclear. Even students who focus exclusively on immigration law in school often struggle to understand the practical realities of the field: Where are the jobs? What does daily practice actually look like? How sustainable are different career models? While webinars and written resources help, direct networking with experienced practitioners provides unmatched clarity and mentorship.

The Power Of Chapter Engagement Each chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) holds unique potential to support the next generation. Law students benefit tremendously from conversations with practicing attorneys across diverse settings, including:

Mid-sized firms specializing in business immigration

Solo practitioners handling removal defense

Nonprofit attorneys representing asylum seekers and unaccompanied children

Government or policy-focused professionals

Students often want answers to practical questions:

What is the pace and emotional toll of removal defense work?

How many family-based cases are needed to sustain a solo practice?

What are compensation expectations in nonprofit roles?

Hearing candid insights from experienced attorneys demystifies the profession and helps students plan strategically.

Mutual Benefits For Members And Students Engagement is not one-sided. Chapters that connect with law students gain access to motivated interns, future associates, and long-term colleagues. The immigration bar faces growing demand for representation across practice areas, and cultivating new talent is critical to meeting that need.

Mentorship programs, networking events, and law school outreach can directly strengthen chapter membership and professional continuity.

Practical Ideas Chapters Can Implement Chapters can take simple, high-impact steps to welcome new immigration attorneys:

1. Career Panels On Law School Campuses Hosting winter or spring panels featuring attorneys from varied practice types allows students to compare career paths in one setting. After structured presentations, open Q&A sessions encourage deeper discussion.

Law schools typically assist with logistics such as reserving rooms, promoting events, and providing refreshments. Chapters primarily coordinate speakers and moderate the event.

2. Speed Networking Sessions Short, rotating conversations between students and practitioners can foster immediate connections and follow-up mentorship.

3. Mentorship Pairings Formal or informal mentorship programs connect students with experienced members who can provide ongoing career guidance.

4. Virtual Events For geographically dispersed chapters, virtual panels via platforms like Zoom can be aligned with regular chapter meetings to maximize attendance and minimize additional scheduling burdens.

5. Student Integration At Conferences In-person student sessions at local or regional conferences provide immersive exposure to professional development and networking opportunities.

Building A Stronger Future For Immigration Law Students consistently express a desire for real-world insights before graduation. By opening their doors, chapters not only support individual career development but also reinforce the profession’s long-term strength.

Encouraging students to attend events such as law student roundtables, join AILA as student members, and participate in chapter meetings helps integrate them into the broader professional community early in their careers.

Immigration law demands dedication, resilience, and skill. Creating intentional pathways for mentorship and engagement ensures that future attorneys are prepared to meet those challenges with confidence.