ILAW 604 - Family-Based Immigration Law (3 Credits)

Prerequisite: ILAW 601 or five years experience with the field of immigration law.
Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of family-based immigration law, as well as how family relationships affect other areas of immigration. Students will engage in a detailed study of family-based immigration as they learn how U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRS) may sponsor certain family members who can become LPRs through adjustment of status and consular process. Students will also consider how family members of asylees, employment-based applicants for LPR status and others are able to become LPRs based on their familial relationship to primary applicants. The course will also review how changes in age and family circumstances affect eligibility for immigration benefits. Special family situations, such as those involving the foster care system and domestic violence will also be studied. Finally, the affect of immigration status on other areas of law involving families (such as custody determinations, tax implications, and public benefits access) will be discussed.