LAWS 1503 - Immigration and Families

4.5 Credits

Students learn about the Immigration and National Act and federal regulations for sponsoring family members for lawful permanent residence. Topics include an overview of family immigration, affidavit of support requirements, eligibility for adjustment of status, consular processing, grounds of inadmissibility, and waivers of inadmissibility. This course surveys federal immigration laws that provide immigration benefits, battered immigrant spouses and children, victims of trafficking, and special immigrant juveniles.

Note: Enrollment in this course does not qualify any person to engage in the practice of immigration law without a law license.

Prerequisites: (4) LAWS 2327, LAWS 1501, LAWS 1505, and LAWS 1509

Lecture Hours: 4.5
Lab Hours: 0.0
Internship Hours: 0.0
Clinical or Practicum Hours: 0.0

Course Objectives

1. Explain the process of obtaining an immigrant visa (lawful permanent residency, or a “green card”) based upon a family relationship.

2. Identify categories of relatives who may petition for family members.

3. Review and analyze the filing requirements of a relative petition and the processing times involved.

4. Examine and compare the process of applying for an immigrant visa while in the United States with the process of applying for such visa at a US consular post abroad.

5. Discuss the status of derivative beneficiaries of nonimmigrant (temporary) visas.

6. Describe hybrid visas available for fiancés and others.

7. Assess issues of admissibility of individuals applying for immigrant visas.

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