A good immigration attorney will create all the distinction to your case. Many of them are hardworking, honest professionals who sincerely want to help you.
But, a bad immigration attorney can overcharge you, fail to deliver the promised services, and/or damage your case in a way you could never recover from. Whether you are pursuing to file a petition for a visa or green card, trying to avoid expatriation, or applying for some other migration benefit, make sure you get the right type of lawyer on your side.
Here are some tips to avoid the shadier types of practitioners:
Avoid Lawyers who Approach You at USCIS or different Immigration Offices
A few “high-volume, low value” immigration attorneys prowl the hallways of immigration offices attempting to seek for business. This is not considered as a decent behaviour by the legal bar. Moreover, any good immigration attorney is undoubtedly going to be busy practising immigration law and working for their clients to spend their time rounding up new clients this way.
Make Sure you are dealing with a true lawyer, not a “Visa Consultant”
Only an actual practising lawyer should be trusted to handle your immigration matters. Unfortunately, many non-lawyers even some well-intentioned ones, who don’t know how complex this part of law really is, claim to be capable of helping immigrants who need help with the immigration process. In several cases, they offer little value other than a typing service. In the worst cases, they may actually take your money and run, or fill out your forms in wrong and dangerous ways without telling you the meaning of what they’re doing.
Research the Lawyer
You can perhaps find out a lot about your lawyer online: whether he or she is listed as a member of the state bar association (a necessity) and of the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association or AILA (an organisation that the majority of the most effective attorneys join). If the only reviews you turn up show the lawyer getting arrested or disbarred, you can save yourself a meeting with the individual.
Evade Lawyers Who Give Immoral Advice or Make Illegal Offers
Be wary of any immigration attorney who suggests that you do something devious: maybe lie on an application or to a USCIS officer, give the attorney extra money to bribe an immigration officer, or buy a fake green card from him or her.
Such cases have really occurred and the sad thing is that if you are caught going along with such a scheme, you are likely to get into much more trouble than the attorney and will create a permanent stain on your immigration record, potentially making you ineligible for any future visas or green cards (inadmissible).
Be Sceptical of Unrealistic Promises
Not even the most effective attorneys will guarantee success. Ultimately, the outcome of your case is up to an immigration judge, the Department of Homeland Defence and/or USCIS. Any attorney claiming he or she has a 100% success rate and guaranteeing you a particular outcome may need to be more closely assessed.
Compare recommendation by talking to over one attorney
While most smart immigration attorneys can probably be pretty busy, you must be able to discuss with them and their staff to find out their commitment to clients as well as their overall behaviour and impression of honesty.
Talking to several attorneys will give you a base for comparison before choosing the right one who will be representing you. This will give you a chance to “feel out” various attorneys to get a sense of their personality and work philosophy to determine if they will be a good fit for you.
Need Help?
Facing a problem with an immigration issue or the law. Have questions? It is vital that you contact an Immigration Attorney to help you with the correct legal steps you need to take. Rivera Law Offices, P.A. is dedicated to providing each client with the legal defence they deserve. Located in West Palm Beach, Florida, Rivera Law Offices, P.A. has been fighting cases like this for many years and will be more than happy to help you resolve your case. Contact us about a free consultation now!
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