Roberto Burgos LAW ’20
Every day, I have the privilege of standing beside immigrant families during some of the most uncertain moments of their lives. As the founder and Director of Immigration at Migrance Initiative Inc., a nonprofit in Philadelphia, that work is my purpose. And whenever I trace it back to where it started, I arrive at the same place: Temple University Beasley School of Law.
As a foreign-trained lawyer, I came to Temple to build my career on American soil, and its LLM for Foreign-Trained Lawyers gave me exactly the foundation I needed. The program is designed for internationally educated attorneys like me, and it opened the door to the U.S. legal system in a way that was both rigorous and welcoming. Earning my LLM in American and International Law was a turning point, and looking back now, I understand just how deeply that year shaped my career and the practitioner I have become.
What stayed with me most was the depth of the education. I arrived wanting to understand the American legal system and international law more fully, and Temple gave me far more than I expected. Taking courses alongside JD students challenged me to think critically, to question my assumptions, and to see the law from perspectives I had never considered. As someone trained in another legal tradition, that immersion was invaluable, and I walked away with a foundation I still draw on every day.
Temple also understood that law is meant to be practiced, not just studied. While I was in the program, I had the opportunity to intern in immigration law, and that experience was invaluable.
It let me connect what I was learning in the classroom to real cases and real people. There is a meaningful difference between reading about the law and applying it in service of someone whose life depends on the outcome, and Temple made sure I understood both. The faculty were central to that experience. My professors were not only knowledgeable but genuinely invested in their students, and many of them brought real sensitivity to the needs of international students. They were generous with their time, quick to offer guidance, and always willing to share their expertise. That kind of mentorship leaves a lasting mark, and I carried it with me long after graduation.
The relationships I built at Temple have proven just as enduring. I remain close with several classmates from the LLM program, and we continue to collaborate and work cases together to this day. What began as a cohort of internationally trained lawyers became a professional network I trust, and that sense of community is one of the things I value most about my time there.
That foundation is what made everything since possible. Beyond leading Migrance Initiative, I authored Pathway to DOJ Accreditation, published in both English and Spanish, and I have had the privilege of training many attorneys and paralegals in immigration law. None of it would have happened without the knowledge and confidence Temple gave me. That is the heart of what I want prospective students to know, especially those coming from abroad. Temple gives you the tools and the knowledge to move forward in your career, and it prepares you not only to practice law in the United States but to lead, to build, and to give back to your community. It did all of that for me.
My time at Temple was truly formative, and I would choose it again without hesitation. For any foreign-trained lawyer considering the LLM program, I can say from experience that it has the power to change the direction of your entire career. It certainly changed mine.
