what type of attorney handles immigration

by Alta Leffler II 5 min read

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 do I find a good immigration attorney?

Sep 29, 2020 · Immigration Lawyer When you’re dealing with immigration issues, you’ll want to consult with an immigration lawyer. This type of lawyer should be well versed in dealing with immigration issues such as visas, citizenship, refugee or asylum and green cards. Criminal Lawyer

When should you hire an immigration lawyer?

Jan 24, 2022 · Every type of immigration issue presents a myriad of different problems and/or issues, and the prospective immigration client (be it the individual or the organization) needs to be sure that they are able to locate an immigration and nationality attorney specialized and experienced in dealing with the specific subset of issues particular to the particular case at hand.

What is the job description of an immigration lawyer?

A family immigration lawyer is a special type of lawyer who has experience in family law issues and immigration matters. They can assist with cases that concern green card, citizenship, or naturalization issues. They can also correspond with the USCIS on behalf of their clients and provide representation in court.

When do you need an immigration attorney?

What Types Of Immigration Cases Does Your Firm Handle In Texas? There are two types of immigration cases: family-based and employment-based. Our firm handles family-based immigration cases. This means that we can help you sponsor your children, mother, father, brothers, and sisters. We can also help you sponsor your wife, husband, or fiancé.

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Who handles legal immigration?

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles applications for legal immigration. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for keeping the borders secure. All three agencies are part of the Department of Homeland Security.

What type of law does immigration fall under?

civil lawShe added that immigration is civil law, not criminal law, and does not afford many protections afforded those accused of criminal law, such as the right to government-funded counsel.

How much does a US immigration lawyer cost?

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

What are the 3 types of immigration?

When immigrating to the US, there are four different immigration status categories that immigrants may fall into: citizens, residents, non-immigrants, and undocumented immigrants.May 13, 2020

How is legal immigration controlled?

To control immigration, many countries set up customs at entry points. Some common location for entry points are airports and roads near the border. At the customs department, travel documents are inspected. Some required documents are a passport, an international certificate of vaccination and an onward ticket.

Do you automatically get a green card when you marry a US citizen?

Requirements for the Beneficiary (Applicant Requirements) The beneficiary, or person who is applying to receive a green card, is generally automatically eligible to receive a green card once they are lawfully married to a U.S. citizen or green card holder.

Do I need a lawyer to become a US citizen?

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. However, some people choose to seek assistance from a lawyer or Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)-accredited representative.Sep 16, 2021

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

Why is it important to have an immigration lawyer?

Having a immigration and nationality law attorney or an immigration and nationality law firm who speaks your language and is able to communicate plainly and concisely is important for you to be able to understand the nuances of your case. Also, the assistance of legal professionals that speak your language can be helpful for researching ...

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 ...

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 does an immigration lawyer do?

Immigration lawyers help immigrants, and employers seeking to hire them, with legal issues related to the status of immigrants and their families. Immigration lawyers help with visas, green cards, citizenship, and asylum and refugee status. Immigration laws change constantly, so it’s important to consult an experienced attorney in these situations.

What is IP attorney?

Intellectual property attorneys (“IP attorneys”) help companies, artists, and inventors with legal issues concerning copyrights, trademarks, patents, trade secrets and the like. IP attorneys spend a lot of time working with clients to help them avoid infringing upon the rights of others and making sure that their intellectual property is properly protected under the law.

Why do people go to bankruptcy lawyers?

Some of the most common reasons a person seeks out a bankruptcy lawyer are for medical debt, mortgage foreclosure, and credit card debt. No matter what kind of legal issue you’re facing, there are lawyers who can handle your case, and finding the right one is essential to your peace of mind.

What is a civil litigator?

The general term “civil litigator” refers to an attorney who represents clients in civil (not criminal) court, either as plaintiff or defendant. The most common kinds of civil litigation involve contract ...

What does a real estate attorney do?

Real estate attorneys handle purchase agreements, mortgages, title documents, and transfer documents. They represent individual buyers and sellers, developers, landlords, and tenants. Simply put, the most common scenario to use a real estate attorney is when you buy or sell real estate. Cloud-based real estate law software assists attorneys by facilitating collaborative document management and project tracking in a seamless and secure environment.

What is a criminal lawyer?

Criminal lawyers are attorneys who defend individuals and organizations against government charges in federal and state courts. Criminal lawyers understand the rules around arrest, arraignment, bail, pleas, proof, and related issues. Some of the most common crimes requiring criminal lawyers include homicide, sexual battery and assault.

What is medical malpractice?

Medical Malpractice. If you’ve been hurt by a medical professional, a personal injury lawyer specializing in medical malpractice can help you seek compensation for the harm done. The most common medical malpractice cases include misdiagnosis, inaccurate treatment, and medical negligence.

Who can consult with constitutional lawyers?

People with advocacies can consult constitutional lawyers if they think their rights have been violated. For instance, non-profit organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) employ constitutional lawyers to protect minorities involved in a legal process.

What do lawyers do?

Different types of lawyers specialize in different areas of law. Some lawyers mostly do the work outside of the courtroom, such as drafting contracts and wills, preparing documents to comply with a process, negotiating deals, and advising clients on a legal problem. There are also lawyers who present cases in court or litigations ...

Why do we need malpractice lawyers?

Since these are professions that ascribe to a set of standards , they have greater professional responsibilities that may be challenged in the courtroom or in litigation.

What is IP law?

1. Intellectual Property (IP) Lawyers. Any original creative, scientific, or technical invention which may benefit the public has to be protected ...

What is an intellectual property lawyer?

Any original creative, scientific, or technical invention which may benefit the public has to be protected from copycats and duplicates. If you've created an art design, a unique product, a novel, a song or a computer program, you can consult with an intellectual property lawyer for securing copyright, patents, trademarks, and licensing agreements.

What is a family lawyer?

Family Lawyers. These are lawyers who handle all kinds of domestic cases, such as divorce, legal separation, child custody, adoption, paternity, alimony, prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, and emancipation. But family attorneys may also handle reproductive rights cases, and their work may intersect with other areas of the law.

What is a personal injury lawyer?

This lawyer is an expert in tort law, which deals with civil legal liabilities and damages.

What can an immigration attorney do?

Your attorney can also keep you informed about any significant changes made to existing immigration laws and can help with the petitioning process. Additionally, if any issues or disputes arise in connection with your immigration and marriage matter, your attorney will be able to advocate on your behalf in court as well.

What is a family immigration lawyer?

A family immigration lawyer is a special type of lawyer who has experience in family law issues and immigration matters. They can assist with cases that concern green card, citizenship, or naturalization issues. They can also correspond with the USCIS on behalf of their clients and provide representation in court.

How long do you have to wait to apply for naturalization?

Once these steps are complete, a nonresident must wait for at least three years before they may file an application for naturalization. During this three-year period, a nonresident must be able to prove that they were living with their U.S. citizen spouse or else they may not be allowed to apply.

What is a green card?

A green card, also known as a permanent resident card, is a legal document that is issued by the U.S. government to immigrants or nonresidents. A green card allows nonresidents to work and live permanently in the United States.

How long do you have to wait to get a green card?

From there and so long as they meet all other criteria, they will then have to wait at least three years until they can apply for U.S. citizenship through naturalization. Find the Right Immigration lawyer.

What is a special immigrant?

This classification applies to certain religious workers, some juvenile immigrants, international broadcasters, and so on. Refugees or those seeking asylum from harsh circumstances in their country may also be able to apply for a green card.

How long does a conditional green card last?

If approved, a conditional green card will remain valid for another two years.

What Factors Are Considered By The US Citizenship And Immigration Service In Granting An Individual Immigration Status?

When deciding whether or not to grant immigration status to someone, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service will consider who they are related to and in what way they are related. When immigration is looking at naturalization, they will look at whether or not the individual is of good character.

What Is The Difference Between Getting An Approved Visa, Obtaining A Green Card, And Becoming A US Citizen?

The difference between a visa and a green card is that the former will allow you to stay in the US for a certain period of time, while the latter will allow you to stay in the US for as long as you want, granted that you do not get removed for doing something wrong.

What Is The First Step You Need To Take To Begin The Immigration Process To The United States?

If you are interested in starting the immigration process, you and your sponsor should consult with an immigration attorney. It will be very helpful if you start gathering your biographical information, and information pertaining to your sponsor, such as where they have lived for the past five years.

How Long Should I Expect To Wait For An Answer As To Whether Or Not I Have Been Approved?

The amount of time that you will have to wait in order to find out if you’ve been approved will depend upon what you applied for. Until this past year when green card holders could become US citizens, the process took anywhere from six to eight months. Now, the wait can be anywhere from eight to 14 months.

If My Petition Has Been Approved, What Is The Next Step?

Once your petition is approved, you will go to an interview at the immigration office or at the counselor level. Once you pass the interview, you will either receive your visa, a relevant card, a notice of approval of citizenship, or a green card.

Can Someone Apply For Immigration Status For His Or Her Family As Well?

Two of the major factors considered when applying for immigration status for family members are age and medical status. You would also have to determine whether the family members would qualify under a derivative application, or if a separate application would be needed.

Why Do I Need An Experienced Immigration Attorney To Help Me With My Case?

Immigration attorneys want more than a bunch of forms; they want to understand your backstory. Given our experience both with clients and with immigration, we will be able to tell your story and ensure that your application has the highest possible chance of approval.

What is the job of an immigration lawyer?

Immigration lawyers can help advise on visa applications, green cards, citizenship, and naturalization issues. Additionally, they can also help with employment for non-citizen and deportation.

What is an estate planning attorney?

Another of the most common types of lawyer specialties, an estate planning attorney advises and helps clients to prepare wills, trusts, and asset distributions . These lawyers work to draft living trusts while also helping plan for the protection of your assets and savings after death. They can also help you prepare the power of attorney and health care instructions in the event that you become incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself.

What are the different types of bankruptcy?

At a glance, the main differences between bankruptcy types include: 1 Chapter 7: this type of bankruptcy doesn’t include a repayment plan. However, you will be required to sell or liquidate nonexempt assents in order to pay back your creditors. 2 Chapter 11: this type of bankruptcy is used most often by large businesses and it is designed to help them stay open while repaying their debts. 3 Chapter 13: this type of bankruptcy removes debts by allowing you to create a repayment plan that spans three to five years. This allows you to gradually pay off your debt without liquidating any assets.

What is personal injury law?

As one of the most common types of lawyer specialties, personal injury lawyers handle everything from car accidents to slip andamp; fall injuries, product liabilities, and medical malpractice suits. If you were injured due to an accident or another person’s negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer is one of the best ways to pursue the legal justice that you deserve.

What is criminal defense?

Criminal defense lawyers are lawyers that focus on defending those accused of a crime. Out of all the types of lawyer specialties, this is the one you’ll want to contact if you’re facing charges of drunk driving, theft, assault, or any other type of criminal offense. They are the most familiar with criminal law and will be able to advise you on every facet of the criminal justice process. This can include the rules pertaining to arrest, bail, arraignment, and plea submission. For instance, if you’re facing a petty theft charge, a criminal defense attorney will be able to walk you through the process and defend you throughout your trial. If you’re found or plead guilty, a criminal defense attorney may even be able to lessen the punishment by working with the prosecutor to submit a plea bargain.

What is IP law?

Also known as IP lawyers, this type of specialty deals with matters concerning trademarks, copyrights, and patents. While filing for a patent or copyright can be done on your own, it can be a confusing process and it requires meticulous submission of paperwork. If you’re not well-versed in how intellectual property law functions, you could risk getting your submission denied. To prevent this, it’s best to work with a professional who can handle all of the paperwork, as well as advising you throughout the process.

What does Chapter 7 bankruptcy mean?

They can explain to you exactly what bankruptcy chapter 7 means and whether it is a good fit for you. Or they can give you the details on bankruptcy for credit cards and medical bills, helping you see all of your options before making any decisions. If you are looking for an attorney, it helps to do a lot of research.

What is the role of immigration lawyers?

Immigration lawyers play a pivotal role in providing guidance to individuals and families navigating the necessary requirements to live, work, or study in the U.S. Sometimes, immigration lawyers may even assist refugee and asylum seekers.

Where do lawyers work?

Government lawyers may work in Attorney General’s Offices, governors’ or mayors’ offices, in executive agencies, public defenders’ offices, or in state legislatures.

What is bankruptcy lawyer?

Bankruptcy lawyers are experts in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and handle insolvency issues for individuals or corporations. Bankruptcy lawyers generally specialize in either consumer bankruptcy or commercial bankruptcy. In consumer bankruptcy, lawyers represent individuals or creditors; in commercial, they represent corporate creditors and debtors.

How do I become a lawyer?

The path to become a lawyer may seem clear-cut: obtain a Juris Doctor (J.D.), take the Bar examination, and begin practicing. But with so many different types of lawyers, deciding what kind of law you want to practice may not be such an obvious decision.

What is business lawyer?

Business lawyers, also known as corporate lawyers, handle legal matters for businesses and ensure that all company transactions occur within the scope of local, state, and federal laws. Common legal work includes mergers, acquisitions, formation or dissolution of businesses, patents, intellectual property, and liability disputes. Day to day, a business lawyer may conduct legal research, write and revise legal documents, and negotiate contracts.

What is criminal defense?

Criminal Defense Lawyer. Criminal defense lawyers advocate on behalf of those accused of criminal activity and ensure that their liberties and basic rights are fairly upheld within the justice system . A criminal defense lawyer may work as a public defender or as a private attorney.

What is labor law?

They deal with issues around workplace discrimination, harassment, wage and hours regulations, benefits, and pension security. While the responsibilities of employment lawyers and labor lawyers tend to overlap, labor lawyers focus on union-management relations and collective bargaining, while employment lawyers address matters in non-union workplaces.#N#Just as with other specialties, many law schools offer a specialization certificate in employment/labor law for students who take a minimum number of courses in the area, but it is not required for employment.

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Allen C. Ladd, P.C

I represent clients in US immigration matters in all states and throughout the world. These are the types of cases I handle:

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