how to find the best immigration attorney

by Prof. Kelli Ernser 5 min read

Here are some guidelines to help you find a good immigration lawyer.
  1. Ask Friends or Other Contacts for an Immigration Lawyer Referral. ...
  2. Contact a Lawyer Bar Association. ...
  3. Research Immigration Lawyers Online. ...
  4. Beware of Non-Lawyers Offering Legal Services. ...
  5. Contact Prospective Immigration Attorneys.

How do I choose a good immigration lawyer?

7 Key Considerations When Choosing Your Immigration AttorneyTalk To Friends And Family. If you hope to hire an immigration attorney, your friends and family are a priceless resource. ... Use The Internet. ... Essential Qualifications. ... Language Services. ... Accessibility. ... Schedule A Consultation. ... Take Notes.Dec 17, 2020

Is it worth using an immigration lawyer?

Immigration services can be just as complex, and it is likely worth the expense to hire an immigration lawyer for immigration questions and processes to avoid unnecessary staffing and legal employment compliance hurdles.Apr 30, 2021

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

This can be anywhere from $150 to $500+ per hour. However, some immigration lawyers charge a set fee for a specific service. For example, for filing a specific immigration form, an immigration lawyer may charge a flat rate between $350 to $1,500.Mar 4, 2021

Can immigration lawyer speed up process?

An immigration lawyer cannot magically speed up your applications process once it has been submitted, however by hiring an immigration lawyer you can greatly decrease your chances of unnecessary delays caused by mistakes in your application.

How much is an immigration lawyer for green card?

Here are some typical legal fees for common immigration services: Green Card Petition for Relative: $1,000 to $3,500. Adjustment of Status Application: $2,000 to $5,000. Citizenship/Naturalization Application: $500 to $2,500.Dec 29, 2020

What are the 4 types of immigration?

To begin with, let's look at the four types of immigration status that exist: citizens, residents, non-immigrants and undocumented. The characteristics of each status are explained below.

Can I be deported if I am married to a US citizen?

Can you be deported if you are married to an American citizen? The answer is yes, you can. About 10% of all the people who get deported from the U.S. every year are lawful permanent residents.Mar 15, 2022

How long does the process of immigration take?

How long does it take to become a U.S. citizen? The national average processing time for naturalization (citizenship) applications is 14 months, as of April 2022. But that's just the application processing wait time (see “Understanding USCIS Processing Times” below).

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 the name of the American Immigration Lawyers Association?

For immigration, the most well-known is the American Immigration Lawyers Association, often referred to as AILA. Many bar associations have referral services to help you find a lawyer for your case.

What happens if you work with a lawyer?

Even after you have done your research and started working with a lawyer, you could later find that the lawyer's performance is not meeting your needs or expectations. If that happens, ask to speak to the lawyer to determine if you can get your case back on track, or whether there's a valid explanation.

What is a notary in immigration?

Beware that such persons are not licensed to practice law. In some countries, a notary or notario is someone licensed to practice law and is held in high regard.

Do immigration lawyers get called before the court?

While thankfully uncommon, immigration lawyers from time to time do get called before the court to respond to either a legitimate complaint by a current or former client, or perhaps by a former client with an axe to grind over an unfavorable outcome that was beyond the lawyer's control.

Do lawyers have to pay retainers?

Others simply send an invoice each month or at the conclusion of your case. Some lawyers allow clients to pay the fees in monthly installments.

Can an immigration lawyer help you?

At the outset, it's important to be aware that an immigration lawyer can help you organize and present your case but will not have any control over the U.S. government official's decision over whether to approve or deny what you're seeking.

How to find an immigration lawyer?

Immigration law is one of the more complicated areas of law. So, it’s even more important to find someone whose experienced. Be cautious of attorneys that practice in law in several areas (like personal injury, business, etc.) Look for a licensed attorney that focuses on immigration law .

What happens if you are caught in immigration?

At the very minimum, talk to another attorney for a second opinion. If you are caught, it could mean potentially permanent damage to your immigration hopes.

How to make sure your needs match the lawyer's expertise?

It is also important to make sure your needs match the lawyer’s expertise. Call each attorney’s office and explain your need. Ask for an opportunity to meet the attorney so that you can ask questions and make a decision. The truth is, you may have to pay for your time with the attorney as an initial consultation.

Can Citizenpath assist with deportation?

CitizenPath cannot assist with deportation defense, waivers of inadmissibility, and provisional unlawful presence waivers. And while these forms may be deceivingly simply, there is significant background work to confirm eligibility and document it with evidence. Always find an immigration attorney for these situations.

Can a lawyer give legal advice?

Only attorneys may provide legal advice. If you have one of the problems listed above, it’s very difficult for consultants not to provide unauthorized legal advice. This could get you in trouble. Lawyers are well paid for being creative and resourceful, but not to the extent that it breaks the law.

Do You Need Help With an Immigration or Citizenship Issue?

Whether you have lived in America for 20 years as a "green card" holder and would like to become a U.S.

How an Immigration Attorney Can Help

No matter what type of issue you are facing, an immigration attorney can take action on your behalf -- such as collecting necessary records, preparing documents, researching the law, planning legal strategy, conferring with government agencies, and attending any hearings or court proceedings in your immigration case -- all while focused upon meeting your immigration and citizenship goals.

Finding an Immigration Attorney

To find an immigration lawyer or law firm to help with your citizenship or immigration issue, use the FindLaw Lawyer Directory. To get started, go to the "Find a Lawyer" box near the upper left corner of this page. You can also find an immigration law attorney near you here.

Can I save a few thousand dollars on a green card lawyer?

At first, saving a few thousand dollars on a green card lawyer may seem like a good idea. Unfortunately, that won’t matter if your visa gets rejected. If you want to avoid horror stories, do your due research.

Do immigration attorneys charge fees?

Much like other attorneys, immigration attorneys charge for their time. However, some of them charge fixed fees for standard procedures. These procedures include preparing your case, responding to evidence requests, and more.

Do old fashioned lawyers use cloud storage?

Old-fashioned lawyers are usually conservative about adopting new technologies. Many of them don’t like using cloud file storages for security reasons. Needless to say, you should look for an attorney who doesn’t have such qualms.

Is language a barrier to immigration?

When it comes to immigration law, language can be a big barrier. Remember, the whole process involves a lot of research and legalese. That’s why you should look for an attorney who speaks for own language fluently.

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