The United States immigration process can be very complicated, confusing, and time-consuming. Having a good immigration attorney fighting for you can make all the difference in your case. On the opposite side, a bad immigration attorney may fail to deliver promised services, overcharge you, and/or damage your case in a way that you could never recover from divorce lawyer huntersville.
The best way to begin the immigration process for you and your family is to research immigration attorneys and law firms. But what benchmarks should you keep in mind as you go through the process of interviewing immigration lawyers/companies?
Take note of these tips as you evaluate which attorney is best to help you achieve your immigration goals:
- Get a referral
Often, word of mouth is the best way to choose an immigration attorney. Your network of family, friends or colleagues may know other people who have dealt with immigration attorneys to obtain a Green Card residency or other benefit. You can learn firsthand about the type of experience the person had working with the immigration attorney. - Ask for references
After you have been referred to a good attorney, schedule a consultation in which the attorney plans his or her plan of action for your individual situation. Be sure to ask for references. A good immigration attorney should have excellent online reviews ( Google , Yelp , Avvo ) and an abundant list of happy former clients willing to recommend the firm’s services. Other possible resources are being investigated through the local bar association, the local chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), and a member in good standing of the Better Business Bureau . - Consider more than just price
Do not blindly choose an immigration attorney based on prices. Like many things in life, you get what you pay for. There are many subpar immigration attorneys who offer discounted prices compared to the competition. Some may handle too many cases at once and do not have an adequate team to dedicate quality time and personalized service to your case. Others may not have adequate experience in complicated areas of immigration law.
Invest your time in researching the reputation of all the attorneys you evaluate. Don’t be afraid to invest a few thousand dollars in a quality attorney. It’s not worth the risk of wasting time and having a process delayed or rejected because you want to save money.
- Hire a lawyer who speaks your language
Choose a lawyer (and a firm) that speaks your language fluently. This improves communication throughout the process and ensures that you and your attorney understand complicated legal nuances. - Build a relationship with your lawyer
A visa is your first step in being able to legally reside in the United States. It may be the first time, but probably not the last, that you contact USCIS.
It is essential that you establish a good relationship with your attorney (and their firm), so that they can serve you in the future when you are ready to take the next step in your process.
Filing legal documents to live in the United States can be a complex process, but having the right people fighting for you can simplify the ordeal. Use these five tips when evaluating the right attorney to expertly handle your particular situation.