where to look for an immigration lawyer

The American Immigration Lawyers Association website is also a trusted place to look at when searching for a qualified lawyer. Interview the Lawyers After you have shortlisted a few immigration lawyers, you need to narrow down the choices by creating a list of the ones you want to work with.

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 skills do you need to be an immigration lawyer?

• A high level of organization
• Calm and pleasant demeanor under stressful conditions
• Attention to detail
• Ability to navigate complicated legal processes

How do you become an immigration lawyer?

Top Colleges for Immigration Lawyers

1. Stanford University
2. Harvard University
3. Duke University
4. University of Pennsylvania
5. Yale University
6. Cornell University
7. Georgetown University
8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
9. Northwestern University
10. University of Notre Dame. The digital revolution changed the way we communicate and trade. Now, it is coming into the world of law.

How to become an immigration lawyer?

The need for immigration lawyers is rising. So is the cost. Here’s how to find one and save. courtneyk Getty Images With the new complexities and restrictions of the U.S. immigration system, it has become more challenging for immigrants to move through ...

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.

Who can help me with immigration?

If you need help with an immigration issue, you can use the services of a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative of a Board of Immigration Appeals recognized organization.

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 an immigration lawyer cost in New York?

Flat Rate Legal FeesVisa CategoryUSCIS or DOL Processing Time*Our Fee**H-4/L-2 Dependents90-180 Days$850 $1000 if not filed with H1B/L1, or more than 1 dependentL-1 Intracompany Transfer or E-2 Treaty Investor90-180 Days$7000O-1 Visa90-180 Days$6000F-1 Student Visa90-270 Days$1500+ $2500 (reinstatement to F1 status)15 more rows

Can a governor help with immigration?

Federal Issues The Governor does not have jurisdiction over federal agencies or policies, such as Social Security or immigration. California's federal elected officials in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives are best suited to assist or answer questions that pertain to the United States federal government.

Who can file immigration papers?

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent resident petitioners residing in the United States must file Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

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...•

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?

Where can 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.

Is it worth getting an immigration lawyer?

Immigration Lawyers Offer Case Efficiency and Risk Reduction This will save you time and money, and could avoid your receiving a rejection of your application, or a request for more evidence (RFE). Furthermore, a lawyer can prepare you for your interview at a consulate abroad, or at USCIS within the country.

Do I need a lawyer to apply for a green card through marriage?

You do not have to hire an immigration lawyer to apply for a Marriage Green Card. More than half of all marriage Green Card applications are filed by individuals who do not work with an attorney. You can definitely do it!

Do I need a lawyer to apply for US citizenship?

Do I need a lawyer to apply for U.S. citizenship? No. You can file USCIS forms yourself, including Form N-400, Application for Naturalization, which can be submitted online.

What is Martindale Nolo?

Nolo is a part of the Martindale Nolo network, which has been matching clients with attorneys for 100+ years.

What happens if you turn up only reviews?

If the only reviews you turn up show the lawyer getting arrested or disbarred, you can save yourself a personal meeting.

Can a bad immigration lawyer overcharge you?

However, a bad immigration lawyer can overcharge you, fail to provide the promised services, and/or damage your case in a way you might never recover from. Whether you are seeking to file a petition for a visa or green card, trying to avoid deportation, or applying for some other immigration benefit, make sure you get the right sort of lawyer on your side. Here are some tips to avoid the shadier types of practitioners.

Is it ethical to hire a low value immigration attorney?

A few "high-volume, low value" immigration attorneys prowl the hallways of immigration offices attempting to solicit business. This is not considered ethical behavior by the legal bar. Besides, any good immigration attorney is probably going to be too busy practicing immigration law and working for their clients to spend their time rounding up new clients this way.

Can an attorney guarantee success?

Not even the best attorneys can guarantee success. Ultimately, the outcome of your case is up to an immigration judge, the Department of Homeland Defense and/or USCIS. Any attorney claiming he or she has a 100% success rate and guaranteeing you a particular outcome may need to be more closely evaluated.

Can a lawyer handle immigration?

For the same reasons, only an actual, practicing lawyer should be trusted to handle your immigration matters. Unfortunately, many non-lawyers; even some well-meaning ones, who don't recognize how complex this area of law really is; claim to be capable of assisting foreigners who need help with the immigration process.

What is a Visa?

A visa is a document that the U.S. Department of State prepares which gives someone a right to a reach a United States port of entry or border crossing to seek entry into the U.S. Having a visa doesn’t guarantee entry when presented as the United States Custom and Border Protection has the final say, but having a visa greatly increases your chances of gaining entry.

How to talk to a lawyer about DACA?

If you came to the United States before the age of 16, it is highly recommended that you speak with one of our attorneys to learn more about these programs great benefits and rules. Call 800-528-4044 for a FREE consultation to discuss DACA with an Immigration Lawyer at Dunham & Jones.

What is the number to call for a free consultation with Dunham and Jones?

Dunham & Jones believes experienced and quality legal representation should be affordable. Call 800-528-4044 day or night and on the weekends to schedule your FREE consultation.

How to contact Dunham and Jones about Cuban adjustment?

Call 800-528-4044 for a FREE consultation to discuss the Cuban Adjustment Act with an Immigration Lawyer at Dunham & Jones.

How to contact ICE detainer?

Call 800-528-4044 for a FREE consultation on how to handle an ICE Hold or ICE Detainer with an Immigration Lawyer at Dunham & Jones.

What is the number for Dunham and Jones?

Dunham & Jones believes experienced and quality legal representation should be affordable. Call 800-528-4044 day or night and on the weekends to schedule your FREE consultation. Award Winning Immigration Attorneys Dunham & Jones. Immigration Lawyers · FREE Consultation. Nationwide Immigration Practice.

What is an EAD form?

An EAD application is a five-page form, and you attach your supporting documentation and submit to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Work permits are typically granted to people who are in the process of getting a green card or adjustment of status and who have a legal right to be in the U.S.

What to do when you are aware of your specific needs in the immigration and nationality law arena?

Once you are aware of your specific needs in the immigration and nationality law arena, it is always a good idea to do some additional research! Ask family members or other members in your community who have used an immigration and nationality attorney for references.

What is the three point rule for visas?

This means that any given client of our firm has access to at least three (3) people who are working on or who know about the immigration and nationality law case that has been assigned to the law office. This protocol was established because our world continues to be complex and it becomes more difficult to reach the lawyer directly. For this reason, it is a "best practice" in any immigration and nationality law office to allow a client to have multiple persons with whom they can communicate about the status of their case (s).

How successful is it to get legal immigration status?

Your success in obtaining legal immigration status in the United States depends upon the immigration and nationality law firm or lawyer you chose at the beginning of what is going to be a very complex journey. It is in your best interests to find an immigration and nationality lawyer who will be creative and one who is determined.

What does "offsite immigration paralegal" mean?

This means that your important and personal immigration law matter is being handled by an offsite immigration paralegal or immigration preparer who works for some other organization. Some of these folks are in the U.S. (and some are actually outside the U.S.).

Why is it important to outsource immigration?

The reasons why it may be important whether or not your immigration work is done by the law office itself or whether it is outsourced may be: (1) outsourcing impacts the cost for the services and the client should be charged a fair fee for the immigration law services; and (2) the ability of the immigration lawyer to respond to queries on an immediate basis may be impacted by whether or not the matter is outsourced; and (3) the extent to which the law office assigned the matter has taken appropriate steps to protect the client confidences that may flow to the outsourced organization . Outsourcing immigration and nationality work raises a variety of ethical issues that are beyond the scope of this article.

What is nationality law?

Immigration and nationality law in the U.S. is the federal law or a “federal practice”, meaning you (or your family member or employer) can choose a lawyer from any U.S. State regardless of your country of origin. This means that you have many more options from which to choose. For example, the immigration and nationality lawyers at ...

What is immigration and nationality?

The immigration and nationality practice area requires an understanding of layers and layers of detail and complexity. The layers often cross into other areas of the law such as international taxation, estate planning for foreign nationals, employment, and labor law, intellectual property, criminal law, etc. Having a immigration and nationality law ...

Shelly Ann Grant PLLC

Former criminal prosecutor, also has over 20 years of experience in the business arena. Top negotiator, has extensive experience in contracts, real e... Read More state and settlements. Financial representative with background also in estate planning, wills and trusts and family law.

Clark Online Solutions LLC

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LegalShield

We are the FUTURE of Legal Services in America. LegalShield, a 48-year-old company, markets Family and Business Legal Service Plans as well as a comp... Read More

Tom H. Billiris, P.A

I have over 25 years experience in Real Estate matters, business law, bankruptcy (personal and business) and wills, trusts and probate. I also ... Read More handle immigration matters.

Julianne M. Kinsey, Esq

Julianne is a New York Licensed Attorney for over 10 years. Specializes in Immigration Law Serving Clients Worldwide, from her remote office via tele... Read More

Story Law Firm, LLC

Story Law Firm is willing to make payment arrangements for those clients deemed in need.

Zion & Company LLC

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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.

What is an AILA referral?

If you don't have anyone who can give you a referral list, you can begin your search for a lawyer on AILA. AILA is the American Immigration Lawyers Association. It was established "to promote justice, advocate for fair and reasonable immigration law and policy, advance the quality of immigration and nationality law and practice, and enhance the professional development of its members." With over 12,000 members, the group provides regular continuing education training for immigration lawyers. If an immigration law firm is truly focused on immigration law, it should be a member of AILA. If it is not, it may be an indication that the law firm is spread out across multiple areas, and therefore perhaps not best equipped for your particular case.

Is immigration law a one time affair?

Immigration law being what it is, it is likely that your relationship with the law firm you chose will not be a one-time affair, which is why, it is critical to like your lawyer. Ask yourself this: is this someone that you can see yourself building a close relationship with?

Do referrals guide you to the right place?

Like in every other area of life , referrals often guide you to the right place. That is also the case in immigration law. Think about it, who would be in a better position to trust than someone who has actually been helped by an immigration law firm?

Is immigration a law?

Immigration is an area of law notorious for trying to make a quick buck. Indeed, you may have already experienced this firsthand, with a number of law firms rushing to offer you their business the minute you hinted that you require immigration advice. But while it may be tempting to go in for the cheapest offer, remind yourself that you are likely to get what you pay for, which is a lack of attention, a lack of doggedness, elements that make all the difference between success and failure in this complex area of law. So, if possible, do not let finances be your priority.