what to expect from immigratino lawyer

The business immigration attorney should provide prompt, diligent, and responsive service at all times. The attorney should use the latest technology for reducing the likelihood for errors. Moreover, the attorneys should focus on minute details to ensure that all applications and fillings have been accurate and timely.

Full Answer

What to look for when hiring an immigration lawyer?

The lawyer's level of experience – Although there are many competent immigration lawyers with less experience than veteran immigration lawyers, it's vital that you seek someone with a good reputation in terms of the clients they have represented in the past.

What are the benefits of hiring an immigration lawyer?

Although peace-of-mind and a less stressful application process are core reasons why you'd obtain an immigration lawyer, additional benefits include: General knowledge and experience – Immigration lawyers have the education and experience necessary to ensure the smoothest, most well-supported application process.

How much does it cost to meet with an immigration lawyer?

What to Expect at the Initial Meeting With a Lawyer. Most immigration lawyers will charge a flat fee (often around $100) to meet with you and talk over whether and how the lawyer could, if you hired him or her, help you out. A few offer a free first consultation.

Do you need an immigration lawyer if you live abroad?

U.S. immigration law is federal, which means that you can get help from a lawyer in any U.S. state, even if you are currently living in another country. Not all immigration issues require consultation with an immigration lawyer.

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...•

Can immigration lawyer 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.

What are the benefits of immigration lawyer?

Here are seven advantages of being an immigration lawyer:Helping others. Often, immigration lawyers help their clients through important transitions in their lives. ... Meeting people. ... Learning different areas of law. ... Varying types of employers. ... Opening a practice. ... Advancing your career. ... Improving your job outlook.

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.

How much does it cost to hire an immigration lawyer in the US?

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.

How long is the US immigration process?

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen? The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is 14 months.

Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer?

Hiring an immigration lawyer adds additional legal fees to your case, but often it comes with numerous benefits. Hiring an immigration lawyer can save you time and stress and increase your chances of success.

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.

When should I contact an immigration lawyer?

You will definitely want to consult with an attorney who practices immigration law if: you are uncertain about your basic eligibility for a green card or other immigration benefit. you have received government assistance while living in the U.S. or are concerned that you might be inadmissible for some other reason.

What are some good questions 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?

What questions should I ask an immigration consultant?

Ten Questions To Ask An Immigration ConsultantAre 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?More items...•

How do I ask immigration questions?

Dial 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) and ask your question in English or Spanish. The system will answer your question and can send you links to forms and information by email or text.

How can I make immigration process faster?

You can generally request expedited processing by calling the USCIS Contact Center at 800-375-5283 (TTY 800-767-1833) or by asking Emma after you have obtained a receipt notice.

How can I speed up my US citizenship process?

To request expedited processing of your naturalization application, you can either go through the USCIS Contact Center (800-375-5283) or write a letter to your local USCIS field office. Be ready to prove the reason you need expedited processing with documentation backing up your statements.

How I can speed up my NVC case?

How to Make the Request. To request a review for expedite, submit a scanned letter (or statement) to NVCExpedite@state.gov from a physician (or medical facility). The letter must include the physician's (or medical facility's) contact information and declare a life or death medical emergency exists.

How can I get my green card faster than 90 days?

There are several quick ways to achieve that goal.Marriage to U.S. Citizen. This is the fastest way to immigrate. ... Immigration through family reunification. ... Political Asylum in the USA. ... Immigration of extraordinary ability people. ... Investment immigration.

Why immigration law?

Immigration, specifically legal aid work, is a rewarding area of law with a strong human rights aspect. Policy and case law are developing constantly, making immigration law an intellectually challenging and engaging area to work in.

What are the daily tasks a caseworker could come across?

The tasks you will come across as an immigration caseworker are varied. When preparing an asylum claim, a significant portion of your time will be spent taking a detailed witness statement from your client. Getting this right is critical; whether or not the claim succeeds will often depend on the strength of the statement.

What are some of the important qualities you need for this role?

The ability to work sensitively with vulnerable people is essential. Asylum-seeking clients may have experienced torture, gender-based violence or human trafficking. They may suffer from mental health problems or lack mental capacity. It is therefore important to be empathetic, and to have good communication skills.

What are the main pros of working in immigration law?

Through working with clients on their cases, you learn a huge amount about the complex political and social issues affecting different countries around the world. Your client might be a journalist from Myanmar, an LGBT campaigner from Uganda, or an opposition activist from Bahrain.

What are the main challenges?

With the stakes being so high, you have a lot of responsibility as an immigration caseworker and dealing with the resulting pressure can be a challenge.

Do you have any advice to someone considering a career in immigration law?

Students rarely have the opportunity to study immigration law as part of their law degree or conversion course. For anyone looking to get a sense of some of the issues and key developments in the immigration sphere, the Free Movement blog is a very good source of information.

What is an immigration lawyer?

An immigration lawyer is an independent practitioner (unconnected to the U.S. immigration authorities) who helps clients deal with a wide range of issues relating to visas, green cards, U.S. citizenship, and other immigration benefits.

How much does an immigration lawyer charge?

Most immigration lawyers will charge a flat fee (often around $100) to meet with you and talk over whether and how the lawyer could, if you hired him or her, help you out. A few offer a free first consultation. You will probably want to meet with more than one attorney before choosing one to represent you.

What does it mean when you need emergency help with immigration?

you need emergency help with an immigration matter. you have been notified that deportation or removal proceedings are being started against you. you have been deported from the U.S. and wish to apply to return. you have had an immigration application refused or denied in the past.

Can an attorney lie on behalf of a client?

Realize, however, that the attorney's role does not include lying on behalf of a client. If, for example, someone tells an attorney, "I need help preparing paperwork for my fake, green-card marriage," the attorney (assuming he or she is reputable, some are not) will have to tell the client to go elsewhere for help.

Do immigration lawyers charge hourly fees?

However, for less predictable types of legal services, such as representation for an immigration court hearing (which could turn into several hearings), the lawyer is more likely to charge you at an hourly rate. Also see What Immigration Lawyers Report About Their Fees and Free Consultations.

What does an immigration lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers interpret the law, help you analyze your own rights, possibilities, and strategies, and guide you (or if applicable, your sponsoring U.S. family member or employer) through every step of the complicated immigration process.

What to do if you are deported?

If you find yourself in deportation or removal proceedings in immigration court, the lawyer will research the law to find every possible avenue of relief; help you and any witnesses prepare for your court appearance; deal with arcane court procedural requirements and deadlines; write briefs arguing the law on your behalf; and spend hours in the hearing with you, representing you and helping you present your case.

Is immigration law complicated?

U.S. immigration laws are extraordinarily tangled. It's been said that the body of immigration law is second only to U.S. tax law in it's complexity. Furthermore, even modest mistakes in a visa or green card application, or the evidence provided as part of an immigration application process, can lead to years-long delays, ...

Can an attorney discuss your case with other people?

That means that your attorney isn’t going to discuss your case or circumstances with other people who are not entitled to that information. This is true even if you never end up hiring the attorney. (And it’s true in other types of cases, as well – not just immigration.) You can always ask, too.

Can an attorney guarantee a specific outcome?

No attorney can ever guarantee a specific outcome in any case. That’s true whether you’re looking for something simple, such as being a Canadian citizen who wants a tourist visa to the U.S., or something complex, such as deportation defense. If any attorney guarantees you a specific outcome, find a different attorney.

Can an attorney help you legally?

Whether or not the attorney can actually help you is another story. Sometimes people who are in the U.S. unlawfully have no choice but to leave; there may not be any path to allow you to remain in the U.S. legally. However, your lawyer will explore all possible avenues in an effort to help you get the outcome you want.

Why Go to the Immigration Office?

There are a number of reasons why you may need to visit the immigration office, let’s start by taking a look at them…

What Should You Expect?

What you should expect during your visit to immigration is going to depend largely on what the purpose of your visit is. There are, however a few things that will remain the same no matter what your reason for visiting, for example:

Security

You should expect to go through security screening when you first arrive. This includes having your purse or briefcase scanned and possibly searched by hand and you will have to go through metal detectors. This process is designed to keep the office safe and anything that may be construed as a threat or weapon will be confiscated.

Rules and Regulations

The immigration field office is considered to be a federal building. As a federal building, there is a list of items that are prohibited from being taken into the office. This list is compiled by the Department of Homeland Security and it reads as follows:

The Environment

When you walk into the building, you may be faced with a crowded waiting room, but the new organization of immigration offices has created a more streamlined process so most people don’t experience very long wait times when they show up for their appointment.

Interpreters

If you need an interpreter for your appointment with the office, be sure that you bring your own interpreter AND that they meet the requirements set out by the USCIS. These requirements are that an interpreter should be…

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.

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.

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.

What do immigration lawyers know?

Unlike the average citizen with no experience, an immigration lawyer will know exactly which forms to file and when. Also, the level of advice you'll receive is often invaluable, especially when you need to prepare for an interview or court date.

How much does an 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.

How much does an immigration attorney charge?

In most cases, an immigration attorney will charge an hourly rate of $150 to $300 per hour, whereas others will charge a set fee for the entire process. For basic immigration form filing, you can expect to pay around $250 to $1,200 in fees. Immigration attorney fees significantly range, depending on the types of services ...

How much does a green card lawyer cost?

Green Card lawyer fees range from $795 to $2,900 depending on your situation. Green Card lawyer fees for a sibling or parent of a U.S. Citizen is around $795. An employee sponsored labor certification costs $2,000 in attorney fees, $700 in USCIS filing fees, and takes 2 to 3 years to process.

Do you have to pay a lawyer if you are fired?

You will (unless you're prepared to sue over inadequate representation) have to pay the fired lawyer for any work already done on your case. Look at the contract with your lawyer (if you signed one) to see how refunds are to be made.

Does a lawyer's termination affect the USCIS?

Firing your lawyer will not affect the progress of your applications with USCIS, the consulate, or any other government agency handling your case. However, you should send a letter to the last USCIS or consular office you heard from, directing it to send all future correspondence straight to you or to your new lawyer.