This advanced course offers a comprehensive and practice-focused exploration of U.S. family-based immigration law and the international legal frameworks governing adoption, with a special emphasis on family reunification pathways, humanitarian relief options, and intercountry adoption processes. Students will examine the statutory, procedural, and treaty-based mechanisms that govern petitions for family members, the legal and ethical complexities of international adoptions, and the rights of children and adoptive parents under immigration law.
Special focus is placed on managing complex cases involving family separation, undocumented family members, children in protective custody, Hague and non-Hague adoption issues, and the role of agencies such as USCIS, DOS, EOIR, and international central authorities. Through hands-on legal training, students will gain experience in preparing petitions, navigating multi-agency approvals, and responding to legal and procedural obstacles in family-based immigration and adoption matters.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
-
Understand the legal foundations of family reunification in U.S. immigration law.
-
Navigate the procedures and eligibility requirements for family-based petitions and visa categories.
-
Interpret and apply laws and treaties governing international adoptions, including Hague Convention principles.
-
Identify and resolve legal complications in adoption-based immigration cases.
-
Draft family petitions, adoption-based filings, and waiver requests with evidentiary support.
-
Advise clients, organizations, or government entities on policy, compliance, and humanitarian strategies.
