Shattered Dreams
So, if it’s not already obvious, my lifelong dream has been to become an immigration attorney. Today I emailed AILA, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, regarding membership and I got back the following, stunning, heartbreaking response:
Dear [PT-LawMom],
Thank you for inquiring about AILA’s student membership. In order to qualify for law student membership status, you must meet all of the following qualifications:
–You are enrolled as a full-time student;
– You attend an accredited law school;
– You are pursuing a degree in law.At this time our policies do not accommodate
part-time students
.
+++++++++++++++++++
AILA Membership Dept.
918 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20004
Phone: (202) 216-2400
Fax: (202) 783-7853
Okay, so this may not seem like such a big deal to you, dear readers. But apparently AILA is *the* organization to join if you want to be an immigration attorney; without it, you’re shunned from local USCIS meetings with the District Director and other office heads and with it you get a liaison to help smooth the way between you and USCIS officials. With it, I can attend AILA conferences and get immigration law-specific publications; without it, nada. I am so bummed! Between this news and the WSJ story on crappy post-law school salaries (less than I make now as a legal secretary), I really need to find a way to win the lottery or otherwise come into some big money so I can afford to quit work and go full-time. Not likely. 
P.S. I have emailed AILA’s executive director to point out that one of the reasons I’m going part-time is to reduce my loan burden so I can serve that population. Doesn’t seem very fair to make it harder for me to succeed by not allowing me to join!
September 26th, 2007 at 1:29 pm
What? Bullshit. What the hell does AILA care if you go part-time? Way to fire back at them.
September 26th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
That’s a terrible policy! You’re practically superhuman to manage working and going to school and it makes No sense to be penalized for it. Keep us posted on what the AILA reponds.
September 26th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
I will echo the PBB and LL, keep bugging them. If need be as OL applying to a part time law program myself I certainly can understand the need to work.
If you doing well in school then why should it matter full or part time your learning the same things.
September 26th, 2007 at 6:51 pm
Talk about an artificial barrier to entry! That’s an outrage. Do not go quietly.