what to do when meeting with a immigration lawyer

How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with an Immigration Lawyer

• Collect Documents. Find all documents that could be related to your immigration case. Make copies of them to give to...
• Be Honest About any Criminal Records. Your Chicago immigration attorney isn’t here to judge you. They are here to assess...
• Record Critical Information. Before you meet with the lawyer,...

Full Answer

What should I do if I need an immigration attorney?

For most people, the best thing to do is work with an attorney who’s a member of AILA. Immigration laws can change quickly, and being part of a professional association helps ensure that the attorney you’re working with is continually receiving new information.

How to maximize the first meeting with an immigration attorney?

There are a number of ways that you can be prepared ahead of time to maximize the first meeting, make sure that you’re both on the same page and move things along as smoothly as possible. Here are 8 questions to ask your immigration attorney. Have you ever worked on cases like mine before?

How can I get free immigration lawyer consultations?

The answer is simple: You go to a free consultation with an immigration lawyer and start asking questions. Do Most Lawyers Offer Free Consultations? Some visa immigration lawyers offer a free consultation to meet, become acquainted and discuss ways in which their associates can assist you with visa and immigration issues.

Is immigration law your attorney’s primary focus?

Many law firms include immigration law as only one part of a broader portfolio of specialties. If immigration law is not the attorney’s primary focus, changing laws and accelerated enforcement may catch him or her off guard.

What questions should I ask my immigration attorney?

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

Can a lawyer speed up my immigration case?

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.

What questions should I ask about immigration?

Green Card and Immigration BasicsWhat is a green card? ... What is USCIS? ... What is a lawful permanent resident? ... What is conditional permanent residence? ... Why would a green card application be denied? ... Can I work in the U.S. while waiting for my green card? ... What is the Visa Bulletin? ... What is a biometric screening?

How long does i 30 take to be approved?

5 to 9 monthMost Form I-130 petitions for immediate relatives are approved within a 5 to 9 month time frame, but they can take longer in some cases. If you are in the United States and also filed an application to adjust status, USCIS will begin reviewing Form I-485 at this point.

How long does it take for I-130 to get approved for spouse?

Form I-130 Processing Times For immediate relatives (spouse, unmarried child under 21 or parent) of a U.S. citizen, the wait times for Form I-130 are currently between 5 and 14.5 months (as of June 2022).

How long does it take to get visa after I-130 approved?

That can often take six to eight weeks after approval of the I-130, and possibly even longer. When NVC receives your case, it will send you a notification, typically via email. If you're a "preference relative" (on a waiting list), that delay won't affect you much.

What should you not say in an immigration interview?

THE DON'Ts. DON'T joke around with the USCIS officer. In particular, avoid joking or sarcasm related to drug dealing, communicable diseases, bigamy, or smuggling people into the country. DON'T argue with your spouse or other family members in the middle of an interview.

What is a good topic sentence for immigration?

Global Population Issues and Population in Our Country. Impact of illegal immigrants on America. The unemployed and illegal immigrants in the United States are more likely to be involved in crime than the employed and legal immigrants. Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants.

What do US immigration officers see on their screen?

The officer at primary inspection will verify your identity and check your name against various computer databases. The officers are on the lookout for people who might be a security risk or who are using a tourist or other nonimmigrant visa to gain entry to the United States for illegal purposes or a permanent stay.

Do I Need an Immigration Attorney?

A good immigration attorney will save you time, worry and possibly a lot of money. Below is a list of scenarios when an immigration attorney is highly suggested.

Preparing for Your Meeting with an Immigration Attorney

Once you’ve scheduled your first in-person or over the phone consultation with the immigration attorney it’s important to organize any immigration-related documents and have a goal for the initial consultation.

How to Prepare for Your First Meeting with an Immigration Lawyer

The U.S. offers multiple opportunities for immigrants. However, becoming eligible, applying for, and receiving approval for your desired status can be a challenging and often frustrating journey.

Collect Documents

Find all documents that could be related to your immigration case. Make copies of them to give to your attorney. Make sure you include:

Be Honest About any Criminal Records

Your Chicago immigration attorney isn’t here to judge you. They are here to assess your entire situation, including any criminal history, so that they can help you in the best way possible. Concealing a criminal record from them will eventually prove to be a waste of time and money. Be honest from the beginning, understanding that the U.S.

Record Critical Information

Before you meet with the lawyer, take some time to write down the important events, dates, and circumstances that are unique to your case. The more details you can provide, the better. If your goal is asylum, be sure you include specific dates of occurrences and the names of offenders, witnesses, and victims.

Write Down Your Questions

Like most immigration clients, you likely have several questions for your attorney. Many people tend to get slightly nervous or caught up in the process of meeting their attorney, which results in them forgetting the questions they wanted to ask.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Experienced Chicago Family Immigration Attorneys

If you are searching for a knowledgeable and experienced Chicago immigration lawyer, look no further than Kriezelman Burton & Associates. Our team of dedicated and reputable attorneys is well-versed in the complexities of immigration law and the challenges it presents to people just like you.