To apply to become a certified specialist in immigration law with the TBLS, the applicant show substantial involvement and special competence in immigration and nationality law practice by providing such information as may be required by TBLS. The attorney must devote a a minimum of 25% of the practice to immigration and nationality law during each year of the 3 years immediately preceding application.

Additionally, the attorney must show specific tasks he or she has performed related to immigration and nationality law which include:

• Applicant must exhibit substantial involvement and special competence in each of the following immigration and nationality law matters participated in within the 3 years immediately preceding application.
  • Administrative Hearings – Representation of clients in at least 9 contested hearings before immigration judges involving removal or bond determination. No more than 3 of the 9 hearings may have involved only bond matters.
  • Petitions and Applications – Representation of clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and/or the U.S. Department of State in the preparation and filing of petitions and applications.
  • Citizenship/Naturalization – Representation of clients before the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of State, and/or judicial courts in citizenship, naturalization, and/or renunciation or revocation matters.
• In addition to meeting Section VII, B, 1, b, (1), (a-c) above, applicant must meet two of the following categories within the 3 years immediately preceding application.
  • Alien Labor Certifications – Representation of employers and/or aliens before the various state employment services, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Department of Homeland Security in preparation and filing of alien labor certification cases.
  • Administrative Appeals and Advisory Opinions – Representation of clients in appeals and/or proceedings before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Administrative Appeals Office, Board of Alien Labor Certification Appeals, the U.S. Department of State Advisory Opinions office, or other administrative appellate entities with competent jurisdiction over matters related to immigration and nationality law.
• • Review in Judicial Courts. Representation of clients in judicial matters relating to immigration and nationality law such as applications for writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, declaratory judgments, criminal matters involving the immigration law, petitions for review in judicial courts, and ancillary proceedings in judicial courts.
• • Employer Sanctions – Representation of clients in administrative proceedings relating to employer sanction, employment discrimination, and/or document fraud matters under the Immigration Nationality Act.
• • Deferred Inspections, Expedited Removal, Humanitarian Parole, Documentary Waiver Requests, Deferred Action Requests, Private Bills, I-9 and LCA related Audits and Proceedings, Immigration Related Database Corrections, or other administrative proceedings not listed relating to immigration and nationality matters before governmental agencies of competent jurisdiction. Representation of clients in these types of matters.