my case is stuck in immigration office, how to hire attorney?

by Cathy Larkin 6 min read

Call the attorney's office and leave a message requesting a copy of your file. Offer to come pick it up. Make a note of when you made this call. If you do not receive a response within a reasonable time, write a letter asking the attorney to send your file to you within, say, one or two weeks.

Full Answer

Why should I hire an immigration lawyer?

Nov 29, 2017 · Hiring an immigration attorney to assist you with your immigration case can alleviate a great deal of stress. It can also ensure that you are pursuing the appropriate action with immigration for yourself or for your family member. Asking yourself the following questions can help you decide if hiring an immigration attorney is in your best interest.

Did your attorney make a mistake during your immigration case?

The answer is that a good immigration attorney takes the time to explore all aspects of his client's case in order to help him achieve his goals and avoid costly errors. Further, a qualified immigration attorney will be able to advise his client about potential pitfalls and shortcuts to help the client obtain his objective more quickly.

What is an immigration lawyer called?

Choose an Attorney With Experience in Federal Circuit Relevant to Your Case. Some differences in interpretation of U.S. immigration law exist between the various federal circuits. (The U.S. federal courts are divided into 13 "circuits," based on region; and many immigration matters can be appealed to those courts.) The immigration authorities must follow their local circuit court's …

Do I need an immigration lawyer for a state crime?

Aug 01, 2017 · As an immigration lawyer, you might think I’d say that everyone should hire an immigration attorney.While that would give me a lot of business, that’s simply not true. For some very straightforward cases, it’s possible to submit your application to the government, prepare for your interview, and await your results on your own.

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What can I do if my immigration case is taking too long?

Your best bet is to contact the office that should have your file, explain the situation, and if need be submit a copy of the application you sent. If that doesn't work, or you just can't wait any longer, definitely contact an immigration lawyer.

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.

Who can help with immigration problems?

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....Legal AssistanceFind Legal Advice. ... Find Legal Representation. ... Obtain Assistance with Immigration-Related Employment Discrimination.Sep 20, 2021

Can I call USCIS to ask about my case?

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.Nov 4, 2021

Why is USCIS taking so long to process 2020?

This backlog is largely due to the USCIS office closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Form I-131 (“Application for Travel Document – Advance Parole”): Applications for advance parole saw a large increase in processing times, from 4.6 months in FY 2020 to 7.7 months in FY 2021.

How can I make immigration process faster?

5 Ways to Speed Up Your US Immigration ProcessingInclude Additional Documents/Error-Free Application. ... Pay for Premium Processing. ... Make a USCIS Service Request. ... Request Expedited Processing. ... Hire An Immigration Lawyer!Feb 15, 2021

Can Senator help immigration case?

Many U.S. senators and representatives will have at least one staff member whose job it is to liaise with the various federal agencies who deal with immigration, including USCIS (relevant if you have applied for a visa inside the United States) and the Department of State (DOS) (relevant if you have applied from ...Apr 19, 2021

Who handles deportation?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles deportations and removals as part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). As part of the process, USCIS will send the individual in question a Notice to Appear, which will contain details of why the proceeding has been initiated.Oct 14, 2021

Can my congressman help me with immigration?

The immigration process is long and requires patience. If you are waiting for a decision on your application and it has taken longer than the USCIS estimated processing time or if you have a strong reason to ask for expedited processing of your case, your U.S. congressional representative might be able to help.Aug 11, 2021

How long does it take USCIS to review a case?

Although some cases may take longer, USCIS field offices and service centers try to adjudicate motions within 90 days. The AAO strives to complete its review of motions within 180 days from the time it receives a complete case file.Sep 2, 2021

What does it mean when USCIS is actively reviewing your case?

It means USCIS is working on your file. I got approved after 2 days of actively reviewed.

How long does it take USCIS to update case status online?

about 1-5 daysIt is possible: That your case has been approved but the status is not yet reflecting online on the USCIS website. Usually, it gets updated in about 1-5 days as shared by many Reddit users. The action on your case can be anything like Approval, RFE, Denial, Biometric appointment issued, etc.Jun 9, 2021

How to hire an immigration lawyer?

Here are some other things to bear in mind when hiring an immigration lawyer: 1 The attorney must be a member of SOME state bar association. Do not make the mistake that some do of believing that bar membership is not necessary for an immigration attorney. To represent you in immigration matters, the attorney must be a member of the bar of a U.S. state or possession, territory, commonwealth, or the District of Columbia). It just doesn't matter which state. 2 The attorney must be in good standing with his or her state bar association; that is, not the subject of any disciplinary actions, and not under any court order restricting his or her practice of law. 3 The attorney must be an attorney. That might sound obvious, but people such as "notarios," immigration consultants, paralegals, document preparers, volunteers at community associations, and so forth are not authorized to analyze your case or act on your behalf unless under the direct supervision of an attorney. Even if they have your best interests at heart, immigration law is insanely complicated, and trusting your case to a non-expert can lead to disaster.

How many circuits are there in immigration?

Some differences in interpretation of U.S. immigration law exist between the various federal circuits. (The U.S. federal courts are divided into 13 "circuits," based on region; and many immigration matters can be appealed to those courts.) The immigration authorities must follow their local circuit court's interpretations.

Is immigration law federal?

Immigration law is federal, and is administered through a federal agency (the Department of Homeland Security or DHS ). Once a lawyer has been licensed by the bar association of one or more states, and learned the basics of immigration law, the lawyer can set up practice wherever he or she chooses—in any U.S. state, or even in another country.

Is the immigration system complicated?

The United States immigration system is extremely complicated, slow to act , and in many cases proves to be incredibly frustrating. But before moving forward, let’s examine some of the key benefits of hiring an immigration specialist for your application.

Do most people end up working with immigration lawyers?

The fact is, most people end up working with an immigration lawyer. The path to self-filing is long, confusing, and frustrating. But not every immigration lawyer is the same—here are 3 of the calling cards of an elite immigration lawyer.

How long does it take to get a decision on a job application?

Waiting for a decision on your application takes long enough (often months at a time). Throw in a delay or two, and you’re looking at more than a year to hear back from the government.

Does Harlan York know about speeding up your Immigration case? Read a review from one of his many happy clients!

I would recommend Harlan York and his associates to anyone who needs any immigration legal services. I have known Harlan York since 1997, he has been very trustworthy and professional with getting my green card and my citizenship in very short period of time.

Geydi Mejia

I would recommend Harlan York and his associates to anyone who needs any immigration legal services. I have known Harlan York since 1997, he has been very trustworthy and professional with getting my green card and my citizenship in very short period of time.

A client has the right to fire his or her immigration lawyer at any time

Please answer a few questions to help us match you with attorneys in your area.

Was the Problem Really Caused by the Immigration Lawyer?

Immigration lawyers cannot work miracles. Nearly all applicants are frustrated at some point in the immigration-application process, whether due to long waits, government requests to provide documents that have no apparent bearing on the case, the need to write new checks to replace a set that the U.S. government lost, and so on.

What If the Lawyer Won't Give You a Copy of Your File?

Your client file is your property, not the immigration attorney's property.

Who to Advise If Firing Your Lawyer

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.

Paying the Lawyer You're Firing

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.

How to reopen a case?

Once you have a professional opinion about the mistakes your former attorney made, you will want to "fix" your case and try to achieve any legal remedies or compensation available to you. If you have been the victim of ineffective assistance of counsel, you might be able to reopen your case, even if the deadline for appeal has passed. The Matter of Lozada case set forth the requirements for noncitizens who claim to have been unfairly prejudiced by ineffective assistance of counsel. You must: 1 provide an affidavit describing in detail the agreement you entered into with counsel and the representations that the attorney made to you regarding your case 2 inform your former attorney of the allegations and give him or her an opportunity to respond, and 3 report whether a complaint of ethical or legal violations has been filed with the professional bar where your attorney is licensed to practice law, and if not, why you did not do so.

What does an immigration attorney do?

A good immigration attorney can investigate your case, review any submissions for errors, and determine whether or not your original attorney was licensed to practice law. If you do not act quickly, you might miss deadlines that apply to new applications or court filings based on ineffective assistance of counsel.

Can an attorney text you?

Attorneys have the option, but are not required, to send text messages to you. You will receive up to 2 messages per week from Martindale-Nolo. Frequency from attorney may vary. Message and data rates may apply. Your number will be held in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

What to do if your former attorney made a mistake?

Once you have a professional opinion about the mistakes your former attorney made, you will want to "fix" your case and try to achieve any legal remedies or compensation available to you. If you have been the victim of ineffective assistance of counsel, you might be able to reopen your case, even if the deadline for appeal has passed. The Matter of Lozada case set forth the requirements for noncitizens who claim to have been unfairly prejudiced by ineffective assistance of counsel. You must:

1. Knowledge and Expertise

There are often very complicated legal procedures involved when you immigrate to Canada, and especially if you’re not well-versed in immigration law, we highly recommend that you seek out a professional who will be there to help guide you through the process.

2. Deadlines Met On Time, Every Time

When you hire an immigration lawyer, it is their responsibility to ensure all documentation is present, correct, and handed in on time. It can be all too easy to overlook a necessary requirement on your application (jeopardizing your entire case!), but hiring a professional takes all the stress out of your hands.

3. Affordable Fees

Most reputable immigration law firms will offer an affordable rate without giving you any false promises. They will genuinely care about providing you with the best possible legal service at a fair price – otherwise, they would not be in possession of that fantastic reputation for very long!

4. The Best Chance of Success

Although there are no guarantees that your application for a visa to live and work in Canada will be accepted, you’ll be giving yourself the very best chance of success by hiring a qualified and experienced immigration lawyer.

Do You Want to Immigrate to Canada in 2021?

If so, Contact VisaPlace today. All our cases are handled by competent and experienced immigration professionals who are affiliated with VisaPlace. These professionals consist of lawyers, licensed paralegals and consultants who work for VisaPlace Legal an award winning immigration firm that adheres to the highest standards of client service.

Michael Niren

Michael is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto. He is a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada, the Canadian Bar Association’s Citizenship and Immigration Section and the Associate Member of the American Bar Association.

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