Maybe you can do it alone. But to complete your immigration to the United States, you may want to consider the services of an immigration attorney to help. Some of the reasons are straightforward. But others you might not have thought of.
More important for many, though, may be how to go about the process. The purpose of this article is to create a guideline for those first needing to find an immigration attorney.
First, it might be a good idea to seek out references. People do this with physicians, mechanics and other professionals, and there’s no reason to stop doing it here. Ask family, friends or co-workers that have gone through the process first who they used and what they think. (Remember, bad references are as important as good ones.)
You can also search through a very helpful database, the American Immigration Lawyers Association website. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a national association of legal professionals that specialize in immigration laws as teachers or practitioners.
If you’ve got references, go through the list of names you’ve come across. If not, try searching first in your area, if only to use that as a starting point.
When you’ve come across a few names, be sure to interview the candidates. Remember that they’re candidates vying for your business. You run the show. Demonstrate the confidence you know you have inside to make them compete for you.
Part of this negotiation should be over price, but you should be prepared for many an immigration attorney to be firm with their fees, be they flat or hourly. For many, this is the first and foremost consideration you’ll need to make. Definitely something to eye.
Lastly but most importantly is performing a quick background check on your immigration attorney, particularly with the state bar, just to ensure he/she is in good standing.
More important for many, though, may be how to go about the process. The purpose of this article is to create a guideline for those first needing to find an immigration attorney.
First, it might be a good idea to seek out references. People do this with physicians, mechanics and other professionals, and there’s no reason to stop doing it here. Ask family, friends or co-workers that have gone through the process first who they used and what they think. (Remember, bad references are as important as good ones.)
You can also search through a very helpful database, the American Immigration Lawyers Association website. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a national association of legal professionals that specialize in immigration laws as teachers or practitioners.
If you’ve got references, go through the list of names you’ve come across. If not, try searching first in your area, if only to use that as a starting point.
When you’ve come across a few names, be sure to interview the candidates. Remember that they’re candidates vying for your business. You run the show. Demonstrate the confidence you know you have inside to make them compete for you.
Part of this negotiation should be over price, but you should be prepared for many an immigration attorney to be firm with their fees, be they flat or hourly. For many, this is the first and foremost consideration you’ll need to make. Definitely something to eye.
Lastly but most importantly is performing a quick background check on your immigration attorney, particularly with the state bar, just to ensure he/she is in good standing.
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