VILLANOVA INTERDISCIPLINARY IMMIGRATION STUDIES TRAINING FOR ADVOCATES: VIISTA
VIISTA — Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates
100% Online | Interdisciplinary | Practice-Oriented
Immigrant communities need people like you.
Across the country, immigrant families are navigating one of the most complex legal systems in the world — often without a lawyer and without anyone who understands what they're facing. More than two-thirds of immigrants confront the immigration system alone. Many of them are children.
The consequences are profound. Families are separated. Employers lose workers. Communities lose neighbors. And the gap between what immigrant communities need and what's available keeps growing.
VIISTA was built to bridge that gap — and to train people like you to become part of the solution.
What Is VIISTA?
VIISTA — Villanova Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates — is a fully online certificate program offered by offered by Villanova University’s College of Professional Studies in partnership with the Mother Cabrini Institute on Immigration that prepares students to advocate for and accompany immigrants and refugees.
The program is intentionally broad, holistic, and interdisciplinary. You'll develop a deep understanding of the global migration phenomenon, immigration law and policy, and the human dimensions of migration — and you'll learn how to put that knowledge to work for immigrant families in your communities.
VIISTA is designed for people like you who want to make a difference — whatever your background, experience level, or role.
Villanova University, as a Catholic Augustinian Institution, follows the teachings of the Church faithfully regarding the dignity and just treatment of all migrants and refugees. We are proud that our VIISTA program is one of the concrete ways in which we live out those values, guided by the clear teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.
Pope Francis called on Catholic universities worldwide to contribute to research and teaching about refugees and migrants. As a Catholic and Augustinian institution with a deep and long-standing commitment to community service and founded to educate immigrants, Villanova is answering Pope Francis’ call.
Villanova is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to VIISTA students:
The CPS VIISTA Scholarship is for students sponsored by a DOJ-Recognized Organization.
The Justamere Scholars Scholarship is for bilingual, bi-cultural students from Pennsylvania.
The St. Augustine Foundation Scholarship is for students from Southern California with a passion for serving immigrant communities.
Applications for all summer scholarships must be submitted by April 1, 2026.
WHO SHOULD ENROLL?
VIISTA Students...
· want to understand immigration better
· are looking to help immigrant communities,
· want to make a meaningful impact, and
· are eager to become part of the solution.
VIISTA students come from many fields and backgrounds, including:
- Recent college graduates
- Retirees
- People returning to the workforce
- Paralegals
- Pastoral workers and others in religious congregations
- Lifelong learners
- Social workers
- Health care professionals
- Educators
- Policy advocates
- Pro Bono Lawyers
- Prospective law students
- Community organizers
VIISTA PERSPECTIVES
Nicole Tan, VIISTA Student
"I joined VIISTA to deepen my commitment as an immigrant advocate. At the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, I have the honor of standing alongside asylum-seeking families seeking the right to protection and safety in the U.S. My day to day work has shown me the huge gaps in access to legal representation across the country and the drastic disparity in outcome, when asylum-seeking families do not have access to an attorney. VIISTA is an innovative model that removes traditional barriers to law school through its’ remote, self-paced classroom model, allowing people like me to gain a comprehensive understanding of immigration law and advocacy. I truly believe VIISTA is the future direction of the immigrant rights movement, to respond to the huge need for legal representation and to give every immigrant family their day in court."
John Kingery, VIISTA Student
"VIISTA provides the education and tools to turn my concern and passion into effective compassion. Along with the law, you will learn the history, spiritual and truly human aspects of immigration.
VIISTA’s interdisciplinary focus will challenge you to grow as a person, ally and companion. I have gained a deeper appreciation of the legal and human issues facing our immigrant families. Knowledge of the law gives you the tools to be effective, VIISTA’s other components provides you the means to be compassionate."
Adam Vincent, VIISTA Student
"I want to make a difference in the lives of immigrants but lacked the proper skills. VIISTA addresses a real need and gives me the tools necessary to step up and provide valuable support to immigrants in my community."
UPCOMING COURSES
SUMMER 2026
Module 1, 2 or 3
Session 1: June 1 - July 12
Session 2: July 20 - August 30
Application Deadline: May 17
Student Orientation: TBD
100% Online
FALL 2026
Module 1, 2 or 3
Session 1: September 14 - October 25
Session 2: November 9 - December 20
Application Deadline: August 30, 2026
Student Orientation: TBD
100% Online
SPRING 2027
Module 1, 2 or 3
Session 1: January 11 - February 21, 2027
Session 2: March 8 - April 18, 2027
Application Deadline: December 14, 2026
Student Orientation: TBD
100% Online
Application opens soon!
WHAT WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DO?
VIISTA graduates can go on to serve immigrant communities in many ways:
- Conducting Know Your Rights presentations and providing legal information in churches, schools, and community centers
- Accompanying immigrants to ICE check-ins, school meetings, doctor visits, interviews, hearings, and appointments
- Supporting lawyers and advocates as paralegals, interpreters, and cultural brokers
- Applying knowledge of immigration in existing roles in healthcare, education, and social work
- Working as immigrant advocates and community organizers
- Pursuing authorization as DOJ Accredited Representatives, eligible to provide low-cost legal representation to migrant and refugee families before USCIS and immigration courts
VIISTA offers an educational program that will help you navigate many pathways for your immigrant-serving career.
YOUR INVESTMENT
Full Program
All 3 Modules
$4,110
Module Cost
Two Sessions
$1,370
Session Cost
$685
The additional estimated cost of books and course materials is $250.
A $685 (cost of one 7-week session) is required to hold your seat in the course.
Scholarship Opportunities
The CPS VIISTA Scholarship is for students sponsored by a DOJ-recognized organization.
The Justamere Scholars Scholarship is for bilingual, bi-cultural students from Pennsylvania.
The St. Augustine Foundation Scholarship is for students from Southern California with a passion for serving immigrant communities.
Applications for all summer scholarships must be submitted by April 1, 2026.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES
What Will You Learn?
The VIISTA curriculum is holistic by design. Immigration is too complex — and too human — to be taught from a single angle. VIISTA covers:
- Why people migrate, and the forces — economic, environmental, political — that shape movement
- The history of migration to the United States
- How to conduct culturally sensitive interviews and work effectively with interpreters
- Trauma-centered care and how to accompany people through difficult experiences
- The rights and responsibilities of immigrants under U.S. law
- How to avoid the unauthorized practice of law while still being a powerful advocate
- Storytelling, trial advocacy, and professional document drafting
- Self-care and community care practices that sustain long-term service
- Formal education preparing you to work or volunteer for a DOJ-Recognized Organization
Everything is taught in the context of what you will actually do — on the job, in your community, or in a volunteer role.
VIISTA trains you to apply to become a DOJ Accredited Representative who, with proper authorizations, can provide legal representation to immigrants before USCIS and in immigration court
Unlike criminal proceedings in which defendants have constitutional rights to representation, in the United States, migrants are not entitled to court appointed lawyers. More than two-thirds or six out of 10 immigrants confront the immigration system without a lawyer, and many of these immigrants are children. The consequences of this are substantial. Research shows that representation is the strongest single predictor of due process and case outcomes. Lack of advocacy disrupts in life-altering ways. With each deportation order, families are separated, employers lose employees, and communities lose valued neighbors and friends. The immigrant- and serving community knows we need more advocates.
Students who earn VIISTA certificates are trained in immigrant accompaniment and how to become immigration advocates, will be eligible, under existing regulations, to apply to become Department of Justice “Accredited Representatives ,” Accredited Representatives are authorized to provide low-cost legal representation to migrant and refugee families when they work for DOJ "Recognized Organizations."
Having an advocate is even more important than the strength of the underlying legal claim. Immigrants and refugees who understand their rights under the law or have representation are more likely to achieve legal status, be released from detention, appear in court, win their removal cases, and seek and obtain relief from deportation.
The pro bono community is struggling to respond.
Millions of immigrants living in the U.S. require legal screenings and representation to help them claim benefits and status for which they might be eligible. Fewer than 4,000 attorneys and DOJ-Accredited Representatives serve the entire country—leaving the needs of countless individuals and families unmet.
In this cultural moment, increasing numbers of people like you are hungry to help.
You want to help immigrants, make a meaningful impact, become part of the solution, do more than make donations. You want to understand, create just immigration policies, and make a difference in the lives of migrant families.
Education will help you make a meaningful impact.
VIISTA responds to your desire to learn about immigration so that you can help others. Its online platform means you can study from home and become empowered to take action to help marginalized families and youth in your local communities.
Authority to expand legal services capacity exists.
Accredited Representatives (AR) who work for Recognized Organizations, such as immigrant-serving and faith-based organizations, are authorized under federal regulations to provide low-cost legal representation in immigration proceedings, just as a lawyer would. Partially Accredited Representatives represent immigrants with applications filed with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), including applications for citizenship, family-based visas, humanitarian visas (including for victims of crimes, human trafficking and domestic violence), and Temporary Protected Status.
Fully Accredited Representatives can represent clients, including asylum seekers, in immigration courts and in appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals. ARs can sign legal documents, submit papers, accompany clients to interviews, and do everything a lawyer would do in court. Despite the growing need for legal representation, today, there are still less than 3,000 Accredited Representatives nationwide, only 400 of which are fully accredited and authorized to represent clients in immigration court, where the need is greatest.
As of April 1, 2026, this program still operates. Email us for updates.
Become part of the solution.
VIISTA bridges migrant needs with students like you who are eager to act.
By providing online training specifically designed to teach the competencies needed to advocate effectively, VIISTA bridges the gap between immigrant communities that need advocates and passionate people like you.
CREDENTIALS
Earn Badges. Get Noticed.
Earn a program certificate and program digital badge upon completion of required courses. Showcase your new skills and gain a competitive edge by adding badges backed by Villanova University to your resume, LinkedIn profile or email signature.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Immigration paralegals are on the front lines of immigrant advocacy. Working under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals are essential members of the legal team — and their work is anything but routine. An immigration paralegal conducts intake interviews with clients, prepares and files immigration forms, gathers facts, and assembles applications for submission to adjudicators. They draft legal documents, help prepare clients and witnesses for testimony, and guide families through some of the most consequential moments of their lives. For anyone who wants to do substantive, meaningful work in immigration law without a law degree, a career as an immigration paralegal is a powerful place to start — or to land.
For additional information about a career as a paralegal extending beyond immigration law, explore the Paralegal Certificate Program at Villanova University.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) authorizes people with training in immigration law who work or volunteer for certain Recognized Organizations to provide low cost legal services to migrants and refugees. There are two levels of DOJ accreditation – partial and full.
A partially Accredited Representative may represent clients before United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), but not before the immigration courts. These cases are not adversarial in nature (there is no opposing counsel), generally involve requests for immigration benefits or humanitarian protection, and are completed through paper filings. Module 2 prepares students to seek partial accreditation.
To obtain authorization, an Accredited Representative must work or volunteer for a DOJ “Recognized Organization.” Most Recognized Organizations are non-profit organizations that provide free or low cost legal representation to immigrants, including immigrant-serving organizations, faith-based organizations, and public libraries.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) authorizes people with training in immigration law and trial advocacy who work or volunteer for certain Recognized Organizations to provide low cost legal services to migrants and refugees. There are two levels of DOJ accreditation – partial and full.
Fully Accredited Representative are authorized to appear before the immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), both of which reside in the US Department of Justice (DOJ). Court cases involve adversarial hearings before a judge with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lawyers representing the government. The majority of cases in immigration court focus on defense to deportation. The vast majority of the 2600 authorized Accredited Representatives are partially rather than fully accredited and are not authorized to represent clients in court. Module 3 prepares students to seek full accreditation .
To obtain authorization, an Accredited Representative must work or volunteer for a DOJ “Recognized Organization.” Most Recognized Organizations are non- profit organizations that provide free or low cost legal representation to immigrants, including immigrant-serving organizations, faith-based organizations ,and public libraries.
Villanova is pleased to offer a limited number of scholarships to VIISTA students.
The CPS VIISTA Scholarship is for students sponsored by a DOJ-recognized organization.
The Justamere Scholars Scholarship is for bilingual, bi-cultural students from Pennsylvania.
The St. Augustine Foundation Scholarship is for students from Southern California with a passion for serving immigrant communities.
PROGRAM FOUNDER & DIRECTOR
Michele Pistone, JD
Professor Pistone, founder and director of Villanova's Interdisciplinary Immigration Studies Training for Advocates (VIISTA) and the CARES clinic, is a Professor of Law at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, where she and her students provide free legal services to asylum seekers. With over 20 years of experience, she's helped hundreds gain asylum protection. A frequent speaker, her research focuses on technological innovations in law, asylum and immigration law, and Catholic social thought. She's co-authored books and papers on these topics, including Disrupting Law School and Stepping Out of the Brain Drain, and serves as a Fellow at the Center for Migration Studies and an advisor on migration to the Holy See Mission to the United Nations.
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