what questions to ask to a immigration lawyer

8 Questions to ask an immigration lawyer

1. What type of expertise do you have in dealing with cases like these? Immigration law encompasses a wide range of...
2. What percentage of your time is spent on immigration cases? An attorney’s practice of immigration law does not imply...
3. Will you be in charge of my case from start to finish? Will your case be farmed off to...

Full Answer

How to find an excellent immigration lawyer?

These situations include:

• Prior denials of immigration applications
• Previous deportations or prohibited entry into the United States
• Medical Conditions
• Delays in the application process or complications with employment-based visas
• Adjustments to residential status, for example, applying for permanent residency.
• Any and all criminal convictions

What are good questions to ask immigrants?

My questions are as follows:

• Who did you immigrate with?
• Who did you leave behind? Why and how did you feel?
• What was the process like? ...
• Why did you immigrate to Canada?
• What did you expect Canada would be like?
• What was your life like before immigrating?
• What was your life like after immigrating?
• When did you immigrate?
• What country are you from?
• Is your country developed or developing?

More items...

What every lawyer needs to know about immigration law?

“We looked at who else is here," said Christine Zeller-Powell, an immigration lawyer with RISP and one of the founders ... for a work permit it can cost nearly $500 and needs to be renewed every two years. It took Cortez 13 years to become a citizen.

Do I really need an immigration lawyer?

You are not required to have a lawyer when applying for an immigrant visa or green card in the United States or overseas. If you have a straightforward case, are clearly eligible for the benefit you seek, and have no record of crimes or negative run-ins with immigration authorities, you can potentially proceed all the way to a visa or green card without a lawyer.

What questions should I ask immigration?

Who did you come with and who did you leave behind? ... What was the most difficult part about leaving?What was your journey to this new country/community like?What was the most difficult part of coming here?What was it like when you first arrived?What most surprised you?More items...

How do I prepare for immigration Consultation?

5 Tips to Make the Most of your Immigration ConsultationAsk the Prospective Attorney Questions about His or Her Experience. ... Tell the Lawyer if Your Case Involves an Emergency. ... Bring the Necessary Immigration Documents to Your Appointment. ... Bring Copies of Criminal Records, if Applicable. ... Take Good Notes.

What are good questions to ask lawyers?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•

What are 3 questions you should ask a lawyer before hiring?

6 Questions To Ask Before You Hire A LawyerWhat's Your Experience? ... What Percentage Of Your Practice Is Dedicated To This Area Of Law? ... What Will This Cost? ... Can You Charge Me A Flat-Rate Fee? ... Where's My Contract? ... Can I Avoid Going To Court?

What is the hardest question to ask a lawyer?

12 Tough Questions to Ask a LawyerWhat's your opinion of the probate process?Under what conditions do you recommend a Living Trust?How do I protect my children from abusive relatives if something happens to me?Can I keep my kids from controlling their entire inheritance at 18?More items...•

What do you say when talking to a lawyer?

Tips for Talking to an AttorneyAlways be as honest and candid as possible about the facts of your case. ... Ask questions if you don't understand something that your attorney mentions or explains to you.Approach an attorney about your case as soon as you think you may need one.More items...•

What are good questions to ask a professional?

Questions To Ask: Informational InterviewWhat are your main responsibilities as a...?What is a typical day (or week) like for you?What do you like most about your work?What do you like least about your work?What kinds of problems do you deal with?What kinds of decisions do you make?More items...

How do I prepare for an attorney interview?

If you are interviewing virtually, all of these tips apply.Do your research. Lawyers are known for being good researchers. ... Be presentable and dress your best. ... Come prepared to ask questions. ... Be personable and show enthusiasm. ... Be genuine. ... Promptly send a thank-you note.

What's the difference between attorney and lawyer?

Attorney vs Lawyer: Comparing Definitions Lawyers are people who have gone to law school and often may have taken and passed the bar exam. Attorney has French origins, and stems from a word meaning to act on the behalf of others. The term attorney is an abbreviated form of the formal title 'attorney at law'.

How do you answer a lawyer question?

Give positive, definite answers when at all possible. Avoid saying, “I think”, “I believe”, or “In my opinion” if you can answer positively. If you do know, then say so. You can be positive about important things which you would naturally remember.

How does an immigration attorney help you?

Your immigration attorney can help you by (a) helping you think about the timeline of the process as a whole and (b) thinking about how long particular steps along the way will take. This will help you as you make plans and move forward with your immigration.

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 it normal to ask questions about immigration?

Having questions about payment, timeline, the process of immigration, both for temporary or permanent residence, and so on is perfectly normal! 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.

What to ask an immigration lawyer?

Since immigration law is an exceptionally specialized field, a reputable and trustworthy immigration lawyer standing on your side could be a very helpful ally. One of the questions you should definitely ask your lawyer, or you could research before an initial meeting, is whether your representative is a member of The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Membership of AILA is actually indicating that your lawyer is up to date with all regulations and updates, and with best practices as well. Although AILA could be a perfect place to find recommendations for the right lawyer in your local area, this membership does not guarantee the lawyer’s experience or record of success. Another source you can consult before you make the final decision on your legal representative is Avvo, a website that collects client testimonials and highlights important information such as bar violations.

What to ask an immigration lawyer after presenting a case?

After you present your case to an immigration lawyer it is almost expected to ask for an opinion about your case. An experienced and reputable immigration lawyer will give you an honest and realistic idea of your prospects, final outcome, and chances for success.

What is an immigration contract?

The Contract is an indispensable element that will direct, describe, and guarantee both the immigration lawyer and the client, the conditions, expectations, responsibilities, and obligations.

Why is it important to choose a lawyer who is specialized in immigration law?

It is of tremendous importance to choose a lawyer who is specialized in immigration law and whose experience with other cases is similar to yours because this could be a guarantee that you are in the right hands. It is strongly advised that you choose a lawyer who is entirely specialized in immigration law and whose rich experience will guarantee the expertise and capability needed when dealing with your case.

What should an immigration lawyer do after a thorough analysis of your case?

After a thorough analysis of your case and setting the final objectives, your immigration lawyer should present you with an actionable plan with a set timeline, and following steps, you should undertake explained in detail. The main purpose of this strategy is to avoid all potential risks you might confront while your application process is in progress. This plan should cover the deadlines for collecting all the necessary documentation, affidavits, and interview preparations.

What is the best indicator of a lawyer's reputation?

Another indicator that attests to the lawyers’ reputability, which you can easily research, is Board certification that certifies lawyers in the practice of immigration law, educational background, published publications, or awards received that show expertise in this particular field.

Is it important to get a local immigration lawyer?

However, if your case involves appearances before local immigration judges or the local USCIS district office, it is recommended to get a local immigration lawyer.

What information do you need to get 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.

What is the best place to start for immigration?

If you’re still in the early stages of searching for an immigration lawyer, a great place to start is the American Immigration Lawyers Association, also known as AILA.

What to do if you have a criminal record?

If you have a criminal record, you should bring all related police reports and court documents. You must be open and honest about any arrests, even if they no longer appear on your record. Keeping your lawyer fully informed is important.

Can immigration cases resolve quickly?

Immigration cases typically don’t resolve quickly. It’s important to be realistic about how long your specific case will take to move through the U.S. immigration process. Your lawyer should be able to create a plan of action that will give you a tentative timeline.

Is immigration stressful?

Immigration issues can be stressful and emotional for you and the people you love. You deserve to have a lawyer you trust.

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.

Can immigration cases vary?

As noted, immigration cases can vary greatly depending on the situation. For this reason, it’s helpful to have a lawyer who has worked with people in similar circumstances. Ask about the strategies used in those cases and whether the same approach could work for you. 2.

What to ask a visa lawyer?

Experienced visa immigration lawyers or their associates have likely handled cases like yours. Asking about the lawyer’s track record is a reasonable request. Most importantly, the lawyer can describe the circumstances and the strategy used to achieve a favorable result, while explaining how the same approach could work for you. A good attorney will be happy to tell you about favorable outcomes, whether you’re asking about citizenship and naturalization , deportation , immigration appeals or visas.

What should a visa immigration lawyer do?

The plan should include a timeline and defined deliverables. When you explain your case to an attorney, he or she will most likely have a good idea about what to do from the start – and after a good conversation, the attorney you’re working with will fine-tune a strategy that gets you the best possible outcome.

What is the first step to solving your immigration problems?

Scheduling a free immigration consultation with a reputable immigration attorney is the first step to solving your immigration problems. The team at Davis & Associates is eager to answer all of your questions and guide you on what your options are.

What happens if immigration law is not the attorney's primary focus?

If immigration law is not the attorney’s primary focus, changing laws and accelerated enforcement may catch him or her off guard. Knowledge and experience are the best defense, and dedicated visa immigration lawyers understand how to manage unique situations.

Why is integrity important in law?

Integrity is important (especially because some attorneys accept cases and fees even when they believe there is no chance for success), and you want to work with an attorney who believes in what you’re trying to accomplish. Again, no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome.

Is there a substitute for experience in immigration?

The adage that there is no substitute for experience is as true in immigration law as it is elsewhere. Knowing how immigration courts operate, understanding law enforcement, or even having gained the respect of the officials involved can put your case in a more favorable light. Attorneys who are familiar with court policies and procedures can navigate the system more easily than those who don’t – and it never hurts to work with a lawyer who has worked with immigration cases long enough to have earned a name for him- or herself.

Can an immigration lawyer guarantee a specific outcome?

Again, no attorney can guarantee a specific outcome. However, working with a lawyer who knows the ins and outs of immigration law – and knows how most of his or her cases turn out – is extremely important if you want a successful outcome. 8.

When preparing to resolve your important immigration issues, meeting with a lawyer to discuss your options for proceeding can be the?

When preparing to resolve your important immigration issues, meeting with a lawyer to discuss your options for proceeding can be the best way to figure out how to move forward.

How to contact immigration lawyer in Los Angeles?

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.

What is your experience with immigration cases like mine?

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. And having an attorney on your side who understand the process you will be going through – and who knows how to troubleshoot the possible challenges that can arise – will be essential to obtaining the best possible outcomes.

What languages does Immigration Legal Services offer?

Additionally, we are able to provide immigration legal services in various languages, including in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese, Bahasa Indonesian, Tagalog and Fukienese.

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.

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