Tips for Choosing a Good Immigration Lawyer

Finding a good immigration lawyer is crucial to navigating the often complex and detailed immigration process. This is because every immigration case is different, and only a skilled and experienced attorney can offer personalized services. If you are not careful and do not know what you are doing, you may end up with costly failure. It is essential to choose a knowledgeable immigration lawyer who can give reliable advice based on your specific immigration issues. Kats Immigration Law is the best place if you need help with your immigration case and find it difficult where to start. Alina Kats walks you through the procedures and manages your immigration concerns most competently.

Hiring an immigration lawyer to represent you in your immigration-related matter is not a legal necessity, and many people choose to handle their immigration cases themselves. However, having an experienced immigration professional to guide you through the legal complexities can make a big difference to your case. A good immigration lawyer takes time to understand what you need and works dedicatedly to make sure you get the best possible advice and support at this time. They find the best solution to a legal issue while maximizing your chances of obtaining favorable results.

Finding a best immigration lawyer is not easy. Searching for a lawyer who can best represent you may take some time and effort, as you need someone who can give reliable legal advice tailored to your immigration needs.

Read on to learn when and why it may be a good idea to hire an immigration lawyer and how you can choose the best one to represent you.

Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer?

While immigration law does not require you to have an attorney for handling an immigration issue or filing a petition, seeking legal guidance can make things easy, depending on your specific situation.
Having a trained and experienced professional to advocate for you, especially if there is a lot at stake, such as getting asylum or avoiding deportation can impact the outcome of your case.

Here are some important factors that can help to determine if you need to hire an immigration lawyer:

• How complicated is your case – Becoming a permanent resident through a standard U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) form is easy, and you can do it yourself. However, if you are facing a complex situation where the immigration system keeps changing and do not know how to handle it, you may need legal guidance.
• What is at stake – Even a small mistake can change your immigration status and result in potential deportation. In such a case, you need a lawyer who can deal with the complexities of immigration law and resolve matters for you.
• You cannot handle things on your own – Lack of time and limited access to information can make it difficult for you to handle your immigration process. If you are not familiar with the application process or don’t have anyone to guide you, you will need advice from an experienced immigration lawyer.

Dealing with the immigration law processes can be difficult, and several paths can lead to costly failure if you do not know what you are doing.

Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer if You Don’t Need One?

There are several benefits to hiring a US immigration lawyer, even if you don’t need one.

They can help you in the following ways:

• They can identify potential issues or concerns that could result in the denial of your application or even deportation if you are not careful.
• They can figure out which immigration benefits you are eligible for. Due to complexities of the immigration laws, many people don’t even realize they are eligible for a green card.
• They can keep an eye on your case progress and contact the appropriate office regarding delayed processing.
• They can represent you in an immigration interview or before an immigration judge if you are facing removal proceedings.
• They can handle complex and entangled cases such as immigration appeals, procedures, deportation defenses, or asking for waivers of inadmissibility.

With their knowledge, training, and experience, a good immigration lawyer can manage your immigration concerns and protect your rights.

How to Find a Good Immigration Lawyer?

Finding the best immigration lawyer is essential for increasing your chances of success. The right professional is capable of navigating the often complex and detailed immigration process, without jeopardizing your rights.

Tips on choosing a good immigration lawyer:

Go for Referral

Ask a friend, colleague, family, or someone you trust for a referral. It will make your job easy, and you will be able to get a few names to begin with. Even if they refer a lawyer who focuses on a different practice area, this lawyer will likely have a network of other lawyers, and they can recommend someone specializing in immigration.

Check Out Bar Associations or Professional Legal Organizations

The American Bar Association is the largest association of lawyers in the world, and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the most prominent one when it comes to immigration. Check their website, and you may be able to find the right professional. With a huge pool of professionals, you can get a lawyer depending on your subcategory, such as employment sponsorship for a work visa, adjusting your status from nonimmigrant to immigrant, or sponsoring your family.

Look Up Lawyer Directories

The American Bar Association maintains a reputable lawyer director, with entries for each state. Go through that directory, and you will find someone to help you with your case.

Check Out Reputable Legal Aid or Community Organizations’ Websites

These legal aid and community organizations work hard to help immigrations who cannot deal with immigration-related matters on their own and need legal guidance. In case you cannot afford to pay the lawyer’s fee, some of these organizations may even provide pro bono or free help.

Check the Authenticity of the Lawyer You Are Considering

Before finalizing an immigration lawyer, contact your state bar association to learn if the attorney you have chosen is licensed to practice in your state and enjoys a good reputation. You must not decide without doing background research and learning about the lawyer’s track record.

Read Client Reviews and Ratings

Going through the previous clients’ reviews and their ratings is important. It will give you a clear idea of how the lawyer has handled cases previously and if they would be able to do a good job for you. Focus on their area of specialization to learn more about their achievements.

If your case involves complicated issues such as criminal immigration law or asylum cases, it is essential to look for a lawyer specializing in these areas. Specialized immigration attorneys may charge more, but their expertise and experience can significantly increase your chances of success.

Remember, there are scammers and other discreditable immigration professionals who pretend to be good lawyers and make money off vulnerable people. Make sure to stay away from them and make the right selection.

How to Determine if the Immigration Lawyer You Have Chosen Is the Right One?

It is not easy to finalize an immigration lawyer as there are so many things you need to check, and even after creating a list of potential candidates, picking the right one can be tough. While for many, the cost of legal services is a crucial factor, the expertise and experience of the lawyer are equally important.

Your lawyer should meet basic requirements such as certifications and years of experience. You don’t want to lose the case by hiring a non-experienced lawyer just because they charged less. It is also essential to pick someone you like and can enjoy a positive relationship with as you work together to achieve your immigration goals.

Make an Effort to Learn More About a Potential Lawyer

You can get more information about the lawyer you are considering hiring by contacting them on the phone, meeting them for initial consultation, and researching them online. This will help you find out more about them as a person as well as a professional, and you can make a better decision.

Contacting Lawyers

Reach out to a potential lawyer by calling or emailing them or filling out a form on their website. Explain briefly what services you require and if they can guide you. Ask them if they handle the type of case you have and if they are taking on new clients.

Initial Consultation

Most lawyers prefer setting up an initial consultation, either in person or on a phone call. While many lawyers offer free consultations for about half an hour or less, some may charge.

During this meeting you can ask them in detail about their services, fees, how they take payments, the type of cases they usually handle, their experience in dealing with your specific case, what steps you can take in your situation and how long it will take them to attend your case. It is also important to ask how often they will communicate with you and what happens in case of complications. Answers to all these questions will help you learn more about the potential candidate and reach a decision.

Research Your Lawyer

Internet and social media platforms have made it easy to look up a lawyer and check their reputation. Client testimonials, online reviews and ratings will help you determine if your lawyer is credible. However, it is best to maintain caution for fully trusting online reviews.

Some Key Points to Consider When Choosing an Immigration Attorney

Once you have gathered sufficient information about what makes a good immigration lawyer or even had an initial consultation with them, here are some key points to consider when finalizing an immigration attorney.

• Do you think you can trust this lawyer? Based on whatever you have read or heard about them or talked to them, do you think they seem genuine professional?
• Do you think you will be able to get along with them? It is important for you to feel easy communicating and working with them as this is a serious matter and you cannot afford to waste precious time and money changing lawyers.
• Are you satisfied with the way they answer your questions and address your concerns? You will want a lawyer who listens to you, explains how things are moving, and keeps you updated on the latest developments in the immigration system.
• Does your lawyer have sufficient experience in handling your type of case? It is important to choose a lawyer who focuses on the type of immigration case you have. Their expertise and experience will benefit you in the long run.
• Are they clear and upfront about their fees and other costs? The lawyer you are considering hiring should share their fee structure with you and tell you how much they will charge upfront. Avoiding working with lawyers or firms that are not clear about cost.

Warning Signs to Look Out for When Choosing an Immigration Lawyer

It is important to keep your eye open for warning signs and avoid scammer. They are:

• Avoid lawyers who approach you at the USCIS office or other immigration offices as they often provide low-quality services and are considered unethical. Good immigration attorneys are too busy to spend their time hunting clients.
• Avoid people who are not lawyers but claim to be immigration experts, as they are not licensed professionals. They may be able to type up the forms but lack legal knowledge. Such people end up filing the forms wrong and taking your money without providing any service.
• Stay away from lawyers who suggest unethical or illegal practices, such as lying on an immigration form to a USCIS officer or bribing an immigration authority. If caught, you could end up with a permanent ban from immigration benefits.

Stay away from lawyers who make unrealistic promises, as it is the US immigration authority who decides your case and not the lawyer. If a lawyer claims a 100% success rate or guarantees successful outcomes, don’t believe them.

Related:

• Seeking Legal Consultation in the U.S.
• How to Prepare for Your Immigration Lawyer Consultation

What Happens After You Have Chosen a Lawyer?

After you have selected an immigration lawyer, the next step is scheduling a meeting to sign an agreement. This agreement specifies what services your lawyer will provide. Read the agreement carefully to find out what is and is not included.

Make sure you understand how the litigation or application costs are handled. It is the client who pays these costs, such as the form fees, or appeals after denial. Check with your lawyer if you need to pay in advance or as the costs arise.

You will sign the agreement and provide your lawyer with complete information regarding your case along with the documentation that you have. You may have to pay a partial fee if you are being charged a flat fee, or a retainer if you are paying hourly.

Choosing a good immigration lawyer can become a nightmare if you are not careful and have no idea where to start. As a trained professional, an immigration lawyer can advocate for you to ensure the desired results. They understand your needs and situations and provide the best possible advice through your immigration journey. Alina Kats is a licensed and experienced immigration attorney. She has a proven track record of success that has changed the lives of many of her clients over the years. She handles your case effectively and efficiently, increasing your chance of success.