ihave an appointment with a immigration lawyer what to ask

by Garnet Gorczany DVM 4 min read

Ask about any agreements or contracts you must sign, initial deposits, and if payment options are available. It’s important to be prepared for your first consult with an immigration lawyer. Bring any forms the lawyer asked you to complete. These will usually include basic information, such as name, date of birth, and address.

Here's a quick look at ten questions you should ask every immigration attorney you speak with about your case.
  1. Do You Specialize in Visas and Family Immigration Law? ...
  2. Are You A Member Of The American Immigration Lawyers Association? ...
  3. Have You Ever Been Reprimanded Or Disciplined For Dishonesty?
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Dec 12, 2020

Full Answer

What questions should I Ask an immigration lawyer?

Sep 05, 2018 · When you come to your appointment it’s a good idea to bring the following: Any copies of immigration forms you have already filled in or filed. A copy of your birth certificate. A copy of your visa if you have one. Any documents you were given when you entered the United States. A brief summary explanation of why you left your country.

How can my immigration attorney help me?

Mar 25, 2019 · It’s important to be prepared for your first consult with an immigration lawyer. Bring any forms the lawyer asked you to complete. These will usually include basic information, such as name, date of birth, and address. In addition, you should bring or send ahead copies of all documents related to your immigration case.

How to maximize the first meeting with an immigration attorney?

Ask how your immigration attorney prefers to communicate and how you will receive updates during the process. Do they primarily use the telephone, email, text messages or postal mail? Make sure you have all the contact information you need before moving forward and a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of how information will be shared.

What should I bring to my immigration attorney’s office?

Feb 09, 2011 · The immigration lawyer or immigration consultant you choose to hire will have an big effect on the success of your immigration application. When deciding whom to hire, ask them these five questions to know if they are the right immigration lawyer for you and your case. Of course there are no guarantees that you will make the right choice.

What questions should I ask an immigration consultant?

Ten Questions To Ask An Immigration Consultant
  • Are you registered with ICCRC? ...
  • Can I talk or correspond directly with the registered agent? ...
  • How long have you been in the industry? ...
  • How are you different from others? ...
  • Which immigration program may be right for me, and why?
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Jul 6, 2020

How do I prepare for immigration Consultation?

5 Tips to Make the Most of your Immigration Consultation
  1. Ask the Prospective Attorney Questions about His or Her Experience. ...
  2. Tell the Lawyer if Your Case Involves an Emergency. ...
  3. Bring the Necessary Immigration Documents to Your Appointment. ...
  4. Bring Copies of Criminal Records, if Applicable. ...
  5. Take Good Notes.
Jan 14, 2021

Can an immigration lawyer help speed up process?

While an immigration attorney cannot per say “speed up” your case, the immigration attorney is knowledgeable in immigration law and will know the best strategy and options for your case. Undeniably, this avoids any unreasonable delay by anyone lacking specialized knowledge in this area of law.

Can a lawyer go to an immigration interview?

During the process of naturalization, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will conduct the U.S. Citizenship Interview. Though the interview does not require your immigration and naturalization attorney to be present, there are benefits of having a lawyer at citizenship interview.

What do immigration lawyers do?

Immigration lawyers represent individual and business clients before the USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and in Immigration Courts and the federal circuit courts on issues dealing with immigration, emigration, visas, green cards, adjustment of status, political asylum, and other important immigration and ...

What questions should I ask my Canadian immigration lawyer?

Questions to Ask Before Contacting a Lawyer
  • 1) What is the Process for Becoming a Canadian Citizen? ...
  • 2) Who is Involved in Your Case? ...
  • 3) What is Your Current Immigration Status? ...
  • 4) Why Should I Hire a Canadian Immigration Lawyer? ...
  • 1) What are Their Credentials? ...
  • 2) How Long Have They Been Practicing?
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May 24, 2018

How much would a immigration lawyer cost?

Hourly Rates

Our hourly rate ranges between ÂŁ150.00-250.00 per hour plus VAT. The rate will depend on the complexity of the case and the urgency. We will discuss the rate with you at the initial appointment. Our fees exclude VAT, Home Office application fees, disbursements and expenses.

How can I make immigration process faster?

6 ways to speed up your immigration case
  1. Submit an expedited request. One of the first things you can do to speed up your immigration case is to ask the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for an expedited request. ...
  2. Premium Processing. ...
  3. Members of Congress. ...
  4. Ombudsman. ...
  5. Process reshuffling. ...
  6. Hire a lawyer.

How long does it take to approve I-130?

5 to 12 months
After filing Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, the approval process can take anywhere from 5 to 12 months for immediate relatives and could take several years for family preference categories. This is an approximation. It may be shorter for some and longer for others.

Should I take my lawyer to green card interview?

An applicant has a right to an attorney at the USCIS interview and bringing one, based on our experience, is not viewed negatively in any way.Jun 28, 2019

What does initial interview mean USCIS?

It is the stage in which the immigration officer determines whether the couple does in fact have a genuine marriage, based on the documents initially provided with the case, as well as additional documents the couple must bring to the marriage interview to prove they do indeed have a bona fide marriage.Oct 9, 2014

Can you go to immigration interview without spouse?

U.S. Immigration Law Doesn't Require the U.S. Spouse to Attend the Consular Interview. In most cases, a spouse does not need to attend a consular interview.

What to Ask in a Consult with an Immigration Attorney

What is your experience with immigration cases like mine? – Immigration law covers a number of different types of cases, from those involving requests for visas and naturalization to others related to deportation or removal from the U.S. Each of these cases can require extensive work, unique processes and potentially even courtroom representation.

Contact a Los Angeles Immigration Lawyer at the Hanlon Law Group, P.C

Do you need help with any immigration issues? If so, you can turn to a Los Angeles immigration lawyer at the Hanlon Law Group, P.C. by calling (626) 684-3712 or (866) 227-5527. You can also send us an email via the form on this page.

How to Prepare For Your First Immigration Lawyer Appointment

There are many reasons you might be coming to your first immigration lawyer appointment, but no matter the reason for your visit, there are some things that you can do to prepare.

What to Bring to Your First Immigration Lawyer Appointment

It’s always better to bring too much to your first immigration lawyer appointment than to bring too little. We recommend putting together an accordion folder that contains everything that you think you might need when you’re working with your immigration attorney.

On the Day of Your Immigration Appointment

On the day of your immigration appointment make sure to show up for your appointment early. This will give you time to fill in any new client paperwork and it will also give you time to get all of your paperwork in order.

Is immigration a business?

Immigration is a busy business. Millions of non-U.S. citizens deal with immigration-related issues every year. A good immigration lawyer may have a lot of clients to manage at one time, so it’s important to know who else will work on your case.

Can a lawyer guarantee a case will go in your favor?

This is an important question. While no lawyer can guarantee that a case will go in your favor, they should be able to give you an idea of whether or not you have a good chance of a successful outcome.

What happens if you don't apply for immigration?

If you do not, you may encounter delays, complications, or even refusals of your application. Your immigration lawyer understands the law and can help you figure these sorts of details out.

What is immigration law?

Immigration law is about more than just filling out forms and writing letters. Find out how your attorney plans work for you, and how you can help them. Ask them what they will do after your application is filed to ensure that it is processed in a timely manner and to improve your chances of success.

Is immigration stressful?

Immigration can be stressful and confusing. If you don’t understand something ask! And don’t feel like your questions are a bother to your attorney! You are helping both of you by asking as many questions as possible. Your attorney should listen to you and your concerns–that is part of their job.

Do you know your circumstances better than anyone else?

You and the immigration lawyer have different sets of knowledge. You know your circumstances better than anyone else and it is important for you to communicate them to your lawyer. Your lawyer knows immigration law and has insight into what will work for you. You might think one form is best, while your attorney might know of one that will meet your needs better

5 Questions to Ask an Immigration Lawyer Before You Hire Them

A good immigration lawyer should be able to explain what will be involved in your case in plain language that you can easily understand, and not make the process seem unnecessarily complicated or bewildering. A clear action plan should be easy for the immigration lawyer to discuss with you.

Michael Niren

Michael is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section and the Associate Member of the American Bar Association.

What are my chances of success?

To some extent, this is a trick question. If the lawyer purports to offer you a guarantee of success, eliminate him from consideration. What you should be looking for is a nuanced and conditional answer that gives you odds, not certainties. The lawyer should also be able to give you advice on how to strengthen your case.

How long will it take to complete my case?

The answer that you might most want to hear is also the answer that should raise the most concerns. In most cases, the quicker the lawyer promises to resolve your case, the less realistic his estimate is likely to be — and the less trustworthy he is likely to be. Immigration cases usually take time. This is not always the case, but it usually is.

Will you be handling my case personally?

Many immigration lawyers pass off their cases to paralegals and other non-lawyers, examining the case in-depth only immediately before it is submitted to immigration authorities. In other words, the lawyer you hire may know very little about your case until very late in the process.

How much are your fees?

Immigration lawyers typically do not work on a contingency basis (where your obligation to pay is conditioned on the lawyer winning your case). Instead, you pay an immigration lawyer to exercise his best efforts, and from there on out you simply take your chances.

What time do you call a lawyer?

Select the best time for you to receive a follow-up call from a lawyer after your question is answered. ( Required field) Morning (8:00AM to 12:00PM) Afternoon (12:00PM to 5:00PM) Evening (5:00PM to 9:00PM) Other. AM PM.

Can I sponsor my fiance on an I-129F?

A fiance visa sponsorship requires that the couple meet in person within 2 years of filing the I-129F. She can travel to the USA or you can travel to meet her in the Phillipines. USCIS has a strict policy and there are very few execptions to this rule.