When you or a loved one is applying for an immigrant visa or green card in the United States, you are not required to have a lawyer. However, there are many different ways to obtain legal permanent residence or authorization to temporarily work in the United States. An immigration attorney can analyze the specific facts of your case and determine all possible options. Those options can then be discussed and evaluated in order to determine the best possible path to pursue.
An immigration attorney can prepare and file applications and/or petitions for you. Problems or delays with your application can be expected, and having someone knowledgeable and experienced prepare your papers can help. Your attorney will be there to represent you with the INS and in court. You won’t have to communicate directly with the government, all communication should be directed to your attorney, who will then advise you of the appropriate course of action. You need not decipher government instructions and regulations on your own.
For immigration court deportation proceedings, it is very advisable to have a lawyer. If the proceedings are not yet finished or are on appeal, your immigration situation is in the power of the courts. The application procedures are different than for those people who are not already involved in immigration proceedings. Even if the proceedings are over, you should ask a lawyer whether the outcome affects your current application.
The most common legal issue encountered by would-be immigrants is the claim by USCIS that they are inadmissible. Possible examples include having committed a crime or previously lied to the U.S. government. If you know that any of these grounds apply to you, it makes sense to get legal help before you begin the application process.
Even the simplest of U.S. immigration applications involves filling out some forms, and you will most likely be asked to follow detailed instructions about gathering and including other paperwork and fees. The paperwork can be tedious and complicated. If you submit them with mistakes, your application may be returned, delayed, or even rejected.
Immigration lawyers have dealt with this paperwork countless times before you, and have both the knowledge and the streamlined systems to prepare the applications smoothly. Hiring a lawyer can be well worth it for the peace of mind alone.
Last Updated on April 18, 2017 by The Orlando Law Group
