how to find a reputable immigration lawyer

• An experienced lawyer will prepare your case carefully to give it the best chance for approval. Here are some guidelines to help you find a good immigration lawyer. ...
• Ask Friends or Other Contacts for an Immigration Lawyer Referral. The best place to start your search for a good immigration lawyer is to ask for a referral from someone ...
• Contact a Lawyer Bar Association. Many lawyers join bar associations as a way to network with other lawyers, gain access to continuing education and practice resources, and obtain new clients.
• Research Immigration Lawyers Online. If you can't find an immigration lawyer through your referral network or bar association efforts referrals, there always is the internet.
Beware of Non-Lawyers Offering Legal Services. When searching for an immigration lawyer, you might come across a "consultant," notary, or notario who offers to help with U.S. immigration.
Contact Prospective Immigration Attorneys. Once you have your search narrowed to one or a few immigration lawyers, the next step is to make contact.
Interview Prospective Immigration Lawyers. Once you have established contact with an attorney who seems to be a likely prospect, arrange a short call to explain the type of case you ...
You Might Eventually Need to Find Another Lawyer. Even after you have done your research and started working with a lawyer, you could later find that the lawyer's performance is ...

Full Answer

How do I find a lawyer for immigration issues?

Finding an Immigration Attorney To find an immigration lawyer or law firm to help with your citizenship or immigration issue, use the FindLaw Lawyer Directory. To get started, go to the "Find a Lawyer" box near the upper left corner of this page. You can also find an immigration law attorney near you here.

Can a lawyer represent you before USCIS?

As long as they are eligible to practice law, and in good standing in every jurisdiction where they are licensed they can represent you before USCIS. How can I find authorized immigration service providers online? The EOIR provides a listing of attorneys in your state who provide immigration services either for free or for little cost.

What does an immigrant lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers are experts in the nuances of the highly complex United States immigration system. They help clients of all backgrounds petition for immigration status and become U.S. citizens, and can represent clients who are facing deportation or detention.

Who is the best immigration lawyer in the US?

Robert Gaffney is one of America’s best immigration lawyers whom you can trust for your immigration case. For 30 long years, he has been helping individuals and corporate clients get the citizenship of America to make their investments with their family, friends, and relatives.

How much does a US immigration lawyer cost?

An immigration lawyer charges between $150 and $300 per hour, with a typical 30-min consultation fee of $75 to $150. Legal assistance when filing basic immigration forms costs $250 to $800, while green card assistance runs from $800 to $5,000, plus the USCIS fees of $460 to $700.

Is it worth using an immigration lawyer?

Immigration services can be just as complex, and it is likely worth the expense to hire an immigration lawyer for immigration questions and processes to avoid unnecessary staffing and legal employment compliance hurdles.

How do you evaluate an immigration lawyer?

10 Tips What To Look For When Choosing An Immigration LawyerGet A Trusted Referral. ... Avoid Hiring A General Practitioner. ... Be Skeptical Of Unrealistic Promises. ... Inquire About Their Availability During Regular Office Hours. ... Cost. ... Experience. ... Written Contract. ... Question Their Work Ethics.More items...•

What are the chances of winning an immigration case?

Yes, the reality is once served a Notice To Appear at immigration court, the odds of winning are far less than 50-50. But that does not mean you cannot be one of the fortunate ones. Significant differences may exist between your case and the ones you heard about on the news.

Can immigration lawyer speed up process?

The immigration process can be intimidating and take a long time, but hiring an immigration attorney to support you with your case can speed up the process and help you meet your goals.

How much does it cost to get a green card with a lawyer?

Expect to pay the attorney somewhere between $3,000 and $7,000 in total—in addition to the application fees described above. Most attorneys will quote you a flat fee in advance, and ask you to pay part of it at the beginning and the rest at the end.

How do I find a good immigration consultant?

Things to Look for in a Good Immigration ConsultantPick the right consultant. The best way to do this is by asking others who they used as an immigration consultant and learning more about this individual from them. ... Watch for red flags. ... Learn about their credentials. ... Get references. ... Interview your consultant.

Does Uscis know everything about you?

The simple answer, of course, is that it is impossible to know whether USCIS knows if an applicant for a green card or for naturalization is lying to them. The safe assumption is that they DO know everything about you and that, if you lie in the interview, you will be caught.

How do I know if my immigration agency is legit?

0:092:32How to Tell if a Canadian Immigration Agency is Real or Fake - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThis is generally marked by a padlock symbol in the url. Bar does the website address say they areMoreThis is generally marked by a padlock symbol in the url. Bar does the website address say they are located in canada. If the answer is no to the above.

How long do immigration cases take?

Wait Times for Green Cards Form I-130 (officially called the “Petition for Alien Relative”): There is a net trend from FY 2017 until FY 2021 of increasing processing times, with an average increase of 1-2 months until FY 2021, where processing times average 10.2 months.

What should I wear to immigration court?

All persons appearing in the immigration court should respect the decorum of the court. Representatives should appear in business attire. All others should appear in proper attire. All persons appearing in the immigration court should respect the dignity of the proceedings.

How can the U.S. fight deportation?

you must have been physically present in the U.S. for 10 years; you must have good moral character during that time. you must show "exceptional and extremely unusual" hardship to your U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident spouse, parent or child if you were to be deported. Hardship to yourself does not count.

How to find an immigration lawyer?

Immigration law is one of the more complicated areas of law. So, it’s even more important to find someone whose experienced. Be cautious of attorneys that practice in law in several areas (like personal injury, business, etc.) Look for a licensed attorney that focuses on immigration law .

How to make sure your needs match the lawyer's expertise?

It is also important to make sure your needs match the lawyer’s expertise. Call each attorney’s office and explain your need. Ask for an opportunity to meet the attorney so that you can ask questions and make a decision. The truth is, you may have to pay for your time with the attorney as an initial consultation.

What happens if you are caught in immigration?

At the very minimum, talk to another attorney for a second opinion. If you are caught, it could mean potentially permanent damage to your immigration hopes.

Can Citizenpath assist with deportation?

CitizenPath cannot assist with deportation defense, waivers of inadmissibility, and provisional unlawful presence waivers. And while these forms may be deceivingly simply, there is significant background work to confirm eligibility and document it with evidence. Always find an immigration attorney for these situations.

Can a lawyer give legal advice?

Only attorneys may provide legal advice. If you have one of the problems listed above, it’s very difficult for consultants not to provide unauthorized legal advice. This could get you in trouble. Lawyers are well paid for being creative and resourceful, but not to the extent that it breaks the law.

Do You Need Help With an Immigration or Citizenship Issue?

Whether you have lived in America for 20 years as a "green card" holder and would like to become a U.S.

How an Immigration Attorney Can Help

No matter what type of issue you are facing, an immigration attorney can take action on your behalf -- such as collecting necessary records, preparing documents, researching the law, planning legal strategy, conferring with government agencies, and attending any hearings or court proceedings in your immigration case -- all while focused upon meeting your immigration and citizenship goals.

Finding an Immigration Attorney

To find an immigration lawyer or law firm to help with your citizenship or immigration issue, use the FindLaw Lawyer Directory. To get started, go to the "Find a Lawyer" box near the upper left corner of this page. You can also find an immigration law attorney near you here.

1. Get a Referral

The first thing you should do is to talk to your friends and family members. Ask if they’ve hired an immigration lawyer in the past, and if yes, ask them about more details about the whole process and the lawyer itself.

2. Consider Their Reputation

While you’re online, check for reviews. Reading reviews can help you learn more about each lawyer from people who were previously in your position.

3. Confirm Credentials

Before you hire an immigration lawyer, you’ll want to make sure they’re qualified to handle your case.

4. Start Interviewing

As you start narrowing down your options, try to interview at least three lawyers on your list.

5. Discuss Fees

Lawyers make a median salary of $122,960. Before making your final choice, determine if you can afford the lawyer’s services.

What is the name of the American Immigration Lawyers Association?

For immigration, the most well-known is the American Immigration Lawyers Association, often referred to as AILA. Many bar associations have referral services to help you find a lawyer for your case.

What happens if you work with a lawyer?

Even after you have done your research and started working with a lawyer, you could later find that the lawyer's performance is not meeting your needs or expectations. If that happens, ask to speak to the lawyer to determine if you can get your case back on track, or whether there's a valid explanation.

What is a notary in immigration?

Beware that such persons are not licensed to practice law. In some countries, a notary or notario is someone licensed to practice law and is held in high regard.

Do immigration lawyers get called before the court?

While thankfully uncommon, immigration lawyers from time to time do get called before the court to respond to either a legitimate complaint by a current or former client, or perhaps by a former client with an axe to grind over an unfavorable outcome that was beyond the lawyer's control.

Do lawyers have to pay retainers?

Others simply send an invoice each month or at the conclusion of your case. Some lawyers allow clients to pay the fees in monthly installments.

Can an immigration lawyer help you?

At the outset, it's important to be aware that an immigration lawyer can help you organize and present your case but will not have any control over the U.S. government official's decision over whether to approve or deny what you're seeking.

1. Elsie Hui Arias

She is one of the best immigration lawyers that you must know from your end. The only thing that you must consider from your end is that she is one of the state bar California board’s prominent lawyers for legal specialization.

2. Edward Beshara

Edward Beshara ranks the second-best immigration lawyers in America whom you can trust upon by closing your eyes. Since 1983 he is providing his corporate clients the assistance for the immigration cases in the best possible manner.

3. Robert Divine

Robert Divine ranks the third-best immigration lawyer in the USA. The best thing about him is he does not accept all the cases that come to him; instead, he selects the best one that qualifies according to the law.

4. Ignacio Donoso

Donoso is among the best immigration lawyers who can handle your immigration cases in the best possible manner. You can consider him as the best in the business. The reason for this is he has got the certification of the EB-5 case in your hand to practice immigration cases for nine long years.

5. Charles Foster

Foster is currently the chairman of Foster LLP, one of America’s biggest immigration law firms. He is also one of the honorary consuls General of the Kingdom of Thailand. Charles Foster is also one of the best immigration lawyers in America who can help you with the EB-5 process in the long run.

6. Robert Gaffney

Robert Gaffney is one of America’s best immigration lawyers whom you can trust for your immigration case. For 30 long years, he has been helping individuals and corporate clients get the citizenship of America to make their investments with their family, friends, and relatives.

7. Enrique Gonzalez

In this entire life and career, he is the best person to deal with the EB-5 process. He is also one of the best immigration lawyers who can help you win an immigration certificate in America. He is responsible for meeting the clients’ needs to get the immigration passes from the American government on time.

Who can represent you before USCIS?

An attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative can represent you before USCIS. Your legal representative must file Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with the related application, petition or appeal.

What is the legal requirement to represent you before USCIS?

In order to represent you before USCIS, an attorney must be: Eligible to practice law in -- and a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of -- any state, possession, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

What is an authorized immigration service provider?

Authorized immigration service providers are: Representatives accredited by the Department of Justice (DOJ)’s Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP) and working for DOJ-recognized organizations; and. Attorneys in good standing who are not subject to any order restricting their ability to practice law.

What is an accredited representative?

An accredited representative must work for a DOJ-approved nonprofit, religious, charitable, social service or similar organization established in the U.S. An recognized organization must primarily serve low-income/indigent clients and provide its fee waiver policy for those unable to pay.

What is the American Bar Association?

Make sure that the attorney is eligible to practice in – and is a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of – any U.S. state, possession, territory or commonwealth, or the District of Columbia.

Can an accredited representative give legal advice?

Accredited representatives who are on this list, and who have a “No” in the last column on the right, are not eligible to give you legal advice. You should ask the accredited representative if he or she has been reinstated to practice and ask to see a copy of the reinstatement order from the EOIR.

Do reputable individuals file Form G-28?

Reputable individuals do not file Form G-28. Instead, in order to be able to help you, reputable individuals must submit a statement to the USCIS/DHS official before whom they wish to appear which states that: You personally requested the individual’s help; You have not paid the individual a fee to help you;

How much does an immigration lawyer charge?

For routines cases, such as applying for a travel visa, an immigration lawyer may be able to confidently quote you a set price, while more open-ended cases may be billed at an hourly rate of $200-$500, or more, depending on the reputation and experience of the firm and lawyer.

What is immigration lawyer?

Immigration lawyers help their clients through all phases of the immigration process. Experts on immigration law, they are legally qualified to represent U.S. citizens, permanent residents or undocumented immigrants. Immigration lawyers also provide assistance to visitors here on student, work or travel visas, and can represent clients who may have ...

Do junior lawyers work on firm cases?

Verify who will handle your case: Sometimes junior lawyers work on firm cases. This is okay, as long as you have discussed it and are comfortable with it. When junior lawyers or paralegals are working on your case, ask if the hourly rate is lower.