Questions to Ask Your Immigration Attorney.
If you are in the process of immigrating to the United States, you already know that the process is complicated and can be confusing. It’s important to have an attorney that you are confident in, but it is also important to know if you are asking the right questions and looking for the right results. We’ve compiled a list of some questions that everyone should be asking their immigration lawyer, to be sure that they are addressing all possible issues throughout their immigration. Whether you are speaking with an immigration lawyer for the first time during a consultation, or if you have already have hired an attorney and are moving right along, check out these top questions for your immigration lawyer below:
What are your fees?
This may seem like an obvious question, but it’s worth mentioning! Many attorneys offer free or low-cost consultations, and these are the perfect time to get an idea of what you’ll be paying for their services. These consultations are a great time to determine if you are comfortable with the attorney, their process, and the amount you will be paying for it.
Do you have experience with immigration?
Not all law firms focus on the same things, and it’s important to find a lawyer who focuses on your needs. The immigration process is complicated, and you will be best suited to find an attorney with a history of experience with your circumstances.
What sort of information do I need to gather for my immigration lawyer?
Without knowing the information and documentation needed to successfully complete your immigration application and procedure, it will be very hard to successfully complete the process. In addition, you want to be sure that each meeting you have with your immigration lawyer is productive and moving you towards your goal. A major factor in the delay of these processes are when a hopeful immigrant does not have all of the required information to complete the step they are on. By having your attorney compile a list of all relevant documentation, you can avoid this simple roadblock.
What type of application should I expect?
Your attorney will understand the specifics of your process: this changes depending on the type of immigration you are seeking. The process will vary for a green card, naturalization, or visa, and each of these avenues will have their own specific requirements depending on your unique circumstance. It’s very important to know what to expect before you begin the process.
What are your past outcomes with cases similar to mine?
An attorney’s track record for cases similar to yours will be a good indicator of your own outcome if you choose to work with them. Ask this question early into your consultation, and determine which steps you will take from there.
Are You Licensed To Practice Law And Do You Specialize In Immigration Matters?
You will want to work with a licensed legal professional that understands how to handle your particular type of case. Don’t be afraid to ask them about what kinds of immigration cases they have worked on and what the outcomes have been. An immigration law firm and its attorneys will be happy to answer these kinds of questions.
Where are you licensed to practice and are you a member of AILA?
You will want to make sure that the attorney you are working with is licensed to practice law in your state. For example, Landerholm Immigration is licensed in California. You can also ask if they are a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and then confirm that by going to the website and ensure they show up in a search. This association is for immigration lawyers throughout the United States.
Will you oversee my case through to its resolution?
Know who is handling your case. Will it be passed off to another lawyer or an associate? Find out what the lawyer’s percentage of involvement in your case will be, and who else will be in contact with you. Many lawyers have a team of professionals to help work your case — paralegals, investigators, researchers and administrative assistants.
What are my chances of success?
While no attorney can guarantee success, an experienced attorney should be able to analyze your situation and possible outcomes, and tell you honestly whether he or she can solve your problem.
What is the best strategy for my case?
Once you have explained your circumstances and objectives, the lawyer should propose a plan of action, with a timeline and specified deliverables. Ask about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and the pros and cons of the various options open to you. Know the steps he or she will take to solve the case.
Are my family members eligible to apply? If I include them will your fees increase?
Many immigration programs allow you to include your family members on the application. However, you should not assume that this is the case for the program that may be best for you. Check with your consultant or lawyer if you can include your family members on the application.
If the answer is ‘yes’, then make sure you check how this will impact the cost of services. While adding family members can create additional work for your representative, any increase in cost should be somewhat proportional to the increase in their workload.
Questions to Ask When Interviewing an Immigration Attorney
Some immigration lawyers offer free consultations, while others charge a fee. Either way, it would be best for you to look at your consultation not only as a chance to seek advice about your immigration case, but also to interview the attorney to find out whether he is a good fit for you. The following are some tips on selecting and interviewing immigration lawyers.
- Any lawyer you consider should be a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an organization of around 15,0000 attorneys that is dedicated to providing resources to US immigration lawyers. Although AILA membership proves very little about the quality of the lawyer, lack of membership in AILA could mean that the lawyer’s specialty lies elsewhere and that he only occasionally takes immigration cases.
- Interview more than one immigration lawyer. Become familiar with their online presence, and do your best to find reviews of their performance that have been submitted by their previous clients. Reviews from clients with the same problem that you have are particularly relevant.
- Prepare carefully for your consultation, to give the lawyer a chance to prove his competence. Assemble basic information about your case as well as related documentation (birth certificate, visa applications, documents you received from US immigration authorities, police reports, court documents, etc.).
- Prepare a written list of questions to ask the lawyer, and refer to the list during your consultation so that you don’t forget anything.