The Top 10 Law Schools for Immigration Law

If you're passionate about helping immigrants, refugees, or asylum seekers navigate the legal system, immigration law could be the path for you. It's a field where the stakes are high, the work is personal, and the impact is real. But to get started, choosing the right law school matters. You’ll want a program that offers more than just classes, think immigration clinics, public interest opportunities, and professors who’ve worked on the front lines.

In this guide, we’ll break down ten of the best immigration law schools to help you find the one that fits your mission and career goals.

What Is Immigration Law?

Immigration law governs how people enter, live in, and become citizens of a country. In the U.S., it covers everything from family-based immigration and work visas to asylum, citizenship law, and deportation defense. This field sits at the intersection of criminal law, human rights law, and public interest law, making it both complex and deeply impactful. Immigration lawyers might help clients navigate visa applications, represent them in immigration court, or challenge detention and removal policies.

Many are drawn to the work because of its human stakes, advocating for asylum seekers, undocumented immigrants, and other vulnerable populations. Others are excited by its legal and global scope, which touches on everything from international trade to immigration policy reform.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Law School for Immigration Law

Choosing the right law school is a crucial step for anyone pursuing a career in immigration law. Beyond national rankings, consider these factors to find the best fit for your career goals and interests in immigration and public interest work:

1. Immigration Law Curriculum & Concentrations

Look for schools that offer an immigration law concentration or robust electives in areas like refugee law, citizenship law, and business immigration law. The best immigration law schools provide deep, interdisciplinary coursework in law and policy, plus practical preparation for immigration matters you'll face in practice.

2. Clinical Programs and Field Placements

Hands-on experience is critical. Prioritize law schools with a strong immigration law clinic or immigration clinic, where students can represent clients under faculty supervision. Also, ask about field placement programs or externships with government agencies, legal services, and community organizations that serve immigrants.

3. Faculty and Thought Leadership

Are faculty active in immigration scholarship, litigation, or policy? Do they contribute to legal research or participate in the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)? The best immigration law programs feature professors with both academic and real-world credentials.

4. Location and Practice Connections

Law schools near immigration detention facilities, large immigrant populations, or federal courts may offer more opportunities for hands-on experience. Think about where you want to practice law; local job markets and alumni networks can make a big difference.

5. Career Outcomes and Public Interest Support

Do graduates land roles in law firms, government agencies, or immigration attorney roles at nonprofits? What support exists for public interest law or bar exam prep? The best programs offer both elite academic credentials and real pipelines into immigration law practice.

Top 10 Law Schools for Immigration Law

1. Harvard Law School

Harvard is consistently ranked among the best immigration law schools in the country. Its deep bench of faculty, expansive clinical offerings, and strong commitment to public service make it a top choice for aspiring immigration lawyers.

Sample Courses

• Immigration and Refugee Advocacy
• Asylum and Convention Against Torture
• Crimmigration: The Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law
• Immigration Law and Policy Seminar

Professors of Note

• Deborah Anker: Founder of the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program (HIRC); internationally recognized expert on asylum law.
• Sabrineh Ardalan: Director of HIRC; focuses on trauma-informed legal representation and protection under U.S. and international refugee law.
• Phil Torrey: Managing Attorney at HIRC; teaches and writes extensively on crimmigration and the intersection of immigration and criminal justice systems.

Clinics & Externships

• Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program: One of the oldest and most respected in the country, allowing students to represent asylum seekers and immigrants in removal proceedings.Criminal Justice Institute: Offers experience in criminal defense cases that often intersect with immigration status.
• Field placements with Greater Boston Legal Services and other immigration legal services providers.

Read: How to Get Into Harvard Law School

2. Georgetown University Law Center

Georgetown Law offers a comprehensive immigration law program, emphasizing both academic rigor and practical experience. The Center for Applied Legal Studies (CALS) allows students to represent asylum seekers under close faculty supervision, providing hands-on experience in immigration court.

Sample Classes

• Refugee Law and Policy
• Immigration Law and Policy
• International Human Rights​

Professors of Note

• Professor Andrew Schoenholtz: Expert in refugee law and human rights.
• Professor Philip Schrag: Co-author of leading texts on asylum law.​

Clinics/Externships

• Center for Applied Legal Studies (CALS)
• Immigration Law Clinic
• Human Rights Institute

Read: How to Get Into Georgetown Law School – Acceptance Rate, Ranking, Tuition, & Class Profile

3. UC Berkeley School of Law

UC Berkeley Law's immigration law program combines scholarly excellence with community engagement. The Berkeley Immigration Law Clinic offers students opportunities to assist low-income immigrants with various legal matters.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Citizenship Law
• International Human Rights​

Professors of Note

• Professor Leti Volpp: Renowned for work on immigration law and citizenship theory.
• Professor Hidetaka Hirota: Specializes in U.S. immigration history and policy.​

Clinics/Externships

• Berkeley Immigration Law Clinic
• Policy Advocacy Clinic
• East Bay Community Law Center

4. NYU School of Law

NYU Law's Immigrant Rights Clinic is a leading institution advocating for immigrant communities. Students engage in direct representation and policy work, addressing complex immigration issues.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Crimmigration: The Intersection of Criminal Law and Immigration Law
• Asylum Law​

Professors of Note

• Professor Nancy Morawetz: Expert in deportation defense and appellate advocacy.
• Professor Alina Das: Focuses on the intersection of immigration and criminal law.​

Clinics/Externships

• Immigrant Rights Clinic
• Immigrant Defense Initiative
• Immigrant Defense Externship​

Read: How to Get Into NYU Law School

5. UCLA School of Law

UCLA Law integrates immigration law into its broader social justice mission. The Immigrant Family Legal Clinic provides students with practical experience in representing clients on various immigration matters.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Public Interest Law
• International Human Rights​

Professors of Note

• Professor Ingrid Eagly: Specializes in immigration law and criminal justice.
• Professor Nina Rabin: Director of Clinical Education and expert in immigrant family legal issues.

Clinics/Externships

• Immigrant Family Legal Clinic
• Immigrants' Rights Policy Clinic
• Center for Immigration Law and Policy​

Read: How to Get Into UCLA Law

6. University of Michigan Law School

Michigan Law offers a robust immigration law program with a focus on human trafficking and asylum cases. The Human Trafficking and Immigration Clinic allows students to represent clients in complex legal matters.

Sample Classes

• Asylum and Refugee Law
• Human Trafficking Law
• Immigration Law​

Professors of Note

• Professor Bridgette Carr: Founding director of the Human Trafficking Clinic.
• Professor Kristina Daugirdas: Expert in international law and human rights.​

Clinics/Externships

• Human Trafficking and Immigration Clinic
• Asylum and Refugee Law Clinic
• Immigrant Justice Lab

7. University of Texas School of Law

UT Law's Immigration Clinic provides students with hands-on experience representing clients in deportation defense and asylum cases. The clinic emphasizes advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Refugee Law and Policy
• Public Interest Law​

Professors of Note

• Professor Denise Gilman: Co-director of the Immigration Clinic and expert in asylum law.
• Professor Elissa Steglich: Focuses on immigration detention and policy.

Clinics/Externships

• Immigration Clinic
• Transnational Worker Rights Clinic
• Human Rights Clinic​

Read: University of Texas--Austin School of Law: Program and Application Overview

8. University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School

Penn Law's Transnational Legal Clinic offers students the opportunity to engage in direct representation and policy advocacy on immigration and human rights issues.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• International Human Rights
• Transnational Legal Practice​

Professors of Note

• Professor Sarah Paoletti: Director of the Transnational Legal Clinic and expert in labor migration.
• Professor Fernando Chang-Muy: Specializes in refugee law and policy.​

Clinics/Externships

• Transnational Legal Clinic
• Gittis Legal Clinics
• International Human Rights Advocates​

9. Arizona State University—Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

ASU Law's Immigration Clinic prepares students to effectively represent clients in various immigration matters, emphasizing practical skills and community engagement.

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Criminal Law
• Public Interest Law​

Professors of Note

• Professor Evelyn Cruz: Director of the Immigration Clinic and expert in immigration policy.
• Professor Angela Banks: Focuses on citizenship law and global migration.​

Clinics/Externships

• Immigration Clinic
• Civil Litigation Clinic
• International Rule of Law and Security Program​

Read: How to Get Into ASU Law School

10. University of Minnesota Law School

Minnesota Law offers a comprehensive immigration law concentration through its James H. Binger Center for New Americans, providing students with multiple clinic options and experiential learning opportunities. ​

Sample Classes

• Immigration Law
• Human Rights Law
• Asylum Law​

Professors of Note

• Professor Stephen Meili: Expert in asylum law and human rights.
• Professor Linus Chan: Director of the Detainee Rights Clinic.​

Clinics/Externships

• Federal Immigration Litigation Clinic
• Detainee Rights Clinic
• Rural Immigrant Access Clinic​

Choosing the Right Law School for Your Career Goals in Immigration Law

Choosing the right law school is one of the most important steps toward a successful career in immigration law. As you explore your options, think about the factors that matter most to you—whether it’s clinical experience, faculty mentorship, a strong public interest focus, or opportunities to engage with real immigration cases. The schools on this list all offer rigorous academics and hands-on training, but the best fit will depend on your personal interests and long-term career goals.

If you’re serious about breaking into immigration law, working with a top law school admissions coach can make all the difference. Leland’s expert coaches, including former admissions officers and practicing attorneys, can help you build a standout application tailored to programs that align with your passion for immigration, human rights, and public service.

The Bottom Line

Immigration law is one of the most impactful, fast-evolving areas of legal practice, and the law school you choose can shape the kind of advocate you become. Whether you're drawn to asylum advocacy, policy reform, or representing immigrant families, the right program will offer more than academics. Look for clinics, field placements, and professors who bring real-world insight to the classroom. If you're serious about turning your passion into a career, don’t settle for a generic law school path. Choose a school and a support system that aligns with your mission.

Work With a Law School Admissions Coach

Applying to law school is competitive, especially if you're targeting programs with strong immigration law offerings. Leland’s expert admissions coaches can help you stand out with personalized strategies, feedback on your application, and insider guidance from former admissions officers and top law grads. Whether you're crafting your statement or choosing between programs, get support every step of the way. Explore top law school admissions coaches to get one step closer to your goals.

Read these next:

• The Top 10 Law Schools for Criminal Law
• The Role of Internships in Law School Applications
• Acceptance Rates and Class Profiles of the T14 Law Schools
• The Top 10 Law Schools for Corporate Law

FAQs

What is the best major for immigration law?

• The best majors for aspiring immigration lawyers include political science, international relations, sociology, or foreign languages. These fields build strong analytical, cultural, and communication skills that are useful in immigration law.

Which state has the best immigration laws?

• States like California and New York are known for having immigrant-friendly policies, offering more resources, legal protections, and access to services for undocumented and documented immigrants alike.

Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer?

• Yes, hiring an immigration lawyer is often worth it. Immigration law is complex, and a qualified attorney can help avoid costly mistakes, speed up the process, and improve the chances of a successful outcome, especially in cases involving asylum, deportation defense, or visa complications.

How many years of school to be an immigration lawyer?

• Becoming an immigration lawyer typically takes 7 years: 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree and 3 years in law school. After that, you'll need to pass the bar exam in your state before you can practice law.