NPNA Immigration Navigator & Legal Empowerment Program   

The National Partnership for New Americans’ (NPNA) Immigration Navigator & Legal Empowerment Online Course is a four-part professional development course designed to equip community members, students, and leaders with foundational knowledge and actionable skills to support immigrant communities in both legal and community based support capacities. Once learners attend all four (4) live sessions OR watch the full recording of each session and successfully complete the final assessment for each class, they will earn this badge.

The four live sessions are:

• US Immigration 101: The System & State of Play 
• The Immigration Navigator Model 
• Immigration Career Pathways 
• DOJ Accreditation & Recognition Program Intro 

Gain a foundational understanding of the United States immigration system and the policies shaping immigrant communities today. This introductory course is designed for community members, students, advocates, educators, and emerging leaders who want to better understand how immigration pathways work and how systems impact individuals and families.

This course will dive into the work of community-based navigation and learn how trusted community members can play a critical role in supporting immigrants and refugees. This course introduces the Immigration Navigator model as an approach rooted in trust-building, cultural responsiveness, empowerment, and ethical community engagement. Participants will explore the history and evolution of navigator models across immigrant-serving organizations and institutions. The course will highlight how navigators help bridge access to information, services, and opportunities while supporting individuals through complex systems in non-legal capacities.

Explore the growing field of immigration-related careers and discover pathways to meaningful work supporting immigrant and refugee communities. Participants will gain exposure to a wide range of career opportunities within immigration-focused organizations and systems, including nonprofit advocacy, community outreach, legal and non-legal support services, policy work, education, and public sector roles.

Learn about the Department of Justice (DOJ) Recognition & Accreditation Program and how it expands access to trusted immigration legal services in communities across the country. This introductory course provides participants with an overview of the DOJ accreditation process, its purpose, and the role accredited representatives play in delivering immigration legal services through recognized nonprofit organizations. Participants will explore the history and structure of the program, eligibility requirements, ethical responsibilities, and pathways toward becoming involved in accredited legal services.