Course

10110171 Immigration Law
Course Information
Description
Examine the historical, legal, and policy foundations of the field to apply key statutes and regulations to current immigration matters. Differentiate between temporary (non-immigrant) visa categories and examine permanent visa requirements, and prepare the necessary legal forms for both, including citizenship and naturalization documentation. Outline the processes for seeking asylum, refugee status, and humanitarian protection. Locate rules related to removal, and its defenses, and summarize enforcement and detention rules governing U.S. borders. Apply interview and fact-gathering techniques, use analytical skills and critical thinking to solve practical legal problems, and apply ethical principles.
Total Credits
3
Course Competencies
  1. Examine the historical, legal, and policy foundations of U.S. immigration law
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Describe the key historical developments in immigration law
    Illustrate the influence of historical events on immigration policy
    Identify major statutes and regulations related to immigration law
    Differentiate the structure, roles, and rules of different agencies
    Relate the development of a legal act to controversy
    Use key terms found in the U.S. immigration system

  2. Apply key statutes and regulations governing U.S. immigration matters
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Correlate immigration law to the U.S. Constitution
    Locate sources of immigration law such as statutes (Immigration and Nationality Act, etc.), regulations, case law, and agency guidance
    Apply legal research techniques
    Identify federal regulations related to immigration and nationalities
    Identify legal authority structures
    Use accurate legal terminology

  3. Apply interview and fact gathering techniques in preparation for a client meeting
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Use industry-specific terminology accurately
    Identify relevant documents needed for the interview setting
    Create common interview questions
    Determine if the client is impacted by inadmissibility grounds
    Identify relevant forms
    Organize case files
    Manage documentation using standard immigration law office procedures and ethical practices

  4. Differentiate temporary (nonimmigrant) Visa categories, options, and forms
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Differentiate between major temporary (nonimmigrant) visa categories
    Correlate the type of non-immigrant visa to a student, tourist, worker, etc.
    Justify the reasons for shifting from one visa to another
    Explain the change of status
    Forms are filled out accurately
    Choose a form that aligns with scenario details
    Determine qualifications for Visa options and classifications
    Determine qualifications for independent and dependent Visa applications
    Describe what makes a Visa dependent

  5. Examine permanent Visa requirements, classifications, and forms
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Categorize immigrant visas (family-based immigration, employment-based immigration)
    Explain eligibility criteria for permanent Visa options and classifications, sponsor requirements, employment qualifications
    Interpret “lawful permanent residence”
    Explain the diversity visa lottery
    Compare adjustment of status v. consular processing
    Identify disqualifying factors and grounds of inadmissibility
    Locate instructions, forms, documents
    Use the USCIS website and resources
    Choose a form that aligns with scenario details
    Implement an effective process
    Identify bias within the categorization process
    Defend your decisions based on scenario details
    Permanent family-based and employment-based immigration forms (Green Cards) are completed successfully

  6. Outline the processes for seeking asylum, refugee status, and related humanitarian protections
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Analyze eligibility criteria for asylum, refugee status, and related humanitarian protections
    Explain the legal status and the associated statute
    Describe eligibility differences with international law
    Specify the steps, evidence requirements, and deadlines
    Document the interview process and anticipated questions
    Identify the steps and criteria during hearings
    Justify your conclusion related to an applicant
    Reference appropriate statutes, limitations
    Evaluate credibility issues that affect the application process
    Use strategies to overcome barriers or obstacles in the application process

  7. Prepare United States citizenship and naturalization forms
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Identify the requirements for the acquisition of US citizenship (birth, derivative citizenship)
    Differentiate eligibility requirements
    Define “good moral character”
    Apply strategies to overcome barriers or obstacles during the process
    Relate the role of the English and Civics knowledge test to citizenship and naturalization
    Explain the final steps in surrendering Green Cards (give up home country citizenship) for another country’s citizenship
    Explain dual citizenship
    Identify requirements for Form N-400
    Identify potential barriers to citizenship, such as criminal history, fraud, and application errors
    Compare timelines for different Green Card scenarios, depending on category (employment-based, family-based)
    Compile evidence
    Predict the ramifications of incorrect/false information on applications and forms

  8. Locate rules related to removal, and its defenses, and summarize enforcement and detention rules within U.S. immigration law
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Identify different venues to seek relief before the courts
    Differentiate different appeal processes depending on the type of application submitted
    Explain the appeal before the administrative appeals office or the USCIS referral to an immigration law judge
    Explain the role of immigration court which falls under the Executive Office for Immigration Review
    Describe what happens in a removal proceeding
    Explain the role of the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the forms involved
    Identify different federal court relief like writ of mandamus, writ of habeas corpus, and petition of certiorari
    Analyze different immigration case laws

  9. Apply the critical thinking process
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Determine purpose, need, and/or question
    Gather information
    Evaluate the quality of information sources
    Distinguish between facts and opinions
    Evaluate claims and assumptions
    Assess multiple perspectives
    Arrive at a solution
    Evaluate the consequences of a solution
    Avoid fallacies of reasoning
    Identify bias types
    Seek accuracy

  10. Use analytical skills to solve practical immigration law problems
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Discriminate between factual and non-factual information
    Identify inferences, judgments, and assumptions
    Identify characteristics of statements of fact
    Identify characteristics of statements of inference
    Identify characteristics of statements of judgement
    Distinguish between subjective and objective perspectives

  11. Apply ethical principles
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Case Study, Scenario, Quiz and/or Exam
    Criteria
    Respond to diverse points of view in ethical situations
    Response avoids giving legal advice to clients
    Justify your decision-making process in an ethical dilemma
    Explain the implications of your decision-making

  12. Deliver an oral presentation
    Assessment Strategies
    Oral Presentation
    Criteria
    Presentation focuses on an immigration topic
    Presentation includes an introduction, body, and conclusion
    Presentation includes at least five outside sources (articles, statutes, rules and/or websites)
    Presentation includes citations
    Presentation is about 10 minutes
    You speak so that others understand

  13. Practice giving, receiving, and incorporating feedback
    Assessment Strategies
    Written Product, Oral Response
    Criteria
    Identify feedback in given peer situations
    Incorporate strategies for giving positive verbal or written feedback
    Incorporate strategies for sharing what needs improvement
    Paperwork is submitted per instructor's guidelines
    Apply feedback to your own work