Understanding how technology works is a great tool and you can use Tech resources to find out a great deal about different US immigration attorneys before you work with them. For people who are already living in the United States or those who are hoping to one day live in the United States, finding a qualified immigration attorney is a very important step.
Your best defender when it comes to the murky waters of immigration law is a qualified immigration attorney near you. Expert attorneys trained for years to protect your rights, monitor the application proceedings, and help you avoid unnecessary delays.
That said, there are numerous factors you need to consider when trying to find an Immigration lawyer. The best immigration lawyers can help you with a wide range of concerns relating to immigration laws such as building a deportation defense, helping you become a permanent resident, guiding you through the process of short-term work visas, helping businesses with employer compliance for foreign workers, and of course Green Card application.
How to find qualified immigration attorneys
When you are ready to initiate your immigration case, whether it’s a marriage Green Card, an asylum request, or a work visa, you need to find qualified immigration attorneys.
Ask friends and family for advice
Start by asking friends and family for advice. If they have gone through immigration issues or completed applications, they might have a recommendation for an excellent US immigration attorney. Word of mouth recommendations are some of the best ways to find legal representation because you know that friends and family will give you an honest breakdown of their experience and what to expect.
Investigate online
The internet is an invaluable tool for finding a qualified immigration attorney. Start by searching in major search engines for nearby US immigration attorneys. Narrow down your list by Consulting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and finding State Bar approved immigration attorneys who are also members of this National Organization. You can check out their background and avoid scams by making sure you don’t connect with an illegal Visa Consultants rather than a qualified lawyer. When you have recommendations from friends and family you can even look up the background for that individual with a State Bar directory or the American Immigration Lawyers Association search function as well.
As you go through different recommendations and collate a list of potential lawyers with whom you might feel comfortable working, write down key information about them. This will help you stay organized and ensure you know where they went to school, where they have practiced, and so on.
Look for qualifications
Check out their essential qualifications for your legal solution. You should only hire immigration attorneys who are registered with a State Bar Association. You also want to look for qualified immigration lawyers who have additional certifications or specializations. The lawyer with whom you work should be experienced and knowledgeable about the area of immigration law that pertains most to your case. Again, check out certifications with the State Bar Association.
It is important to note that immigration law is a federal level issue which means the lawyer you hired doesn’t have to work in your state. If you live in Ohio, for example, you can hire an immigration attorney who lives and practices in New York.
Language services
If English is not your native tongue and you don’t speak English well or read English well, you want an attorney that you know can talk to you in a language with which you are comfortable. Legal issues including immigration matters are very complex and you need to be able to fully grasp what is happening with your situation, what documents you need, what you have to fill out, and what your responsibilities are. If your attorney doesn’t speak your language and they don’t have language services, it’s going to be difficult for you to fully express your goals or your needs or to understand what is needed of you. Make sure you narrow down your decision based on immigration attorneys who have translators at the very least for your preferred language.
Are they accessible?
Finally, when evaluating top immigration attorneys US based, make sure they are accessible. Just because they are qualified and able or willing to take on your case doesn’t mean they actually have the time to do so. You should feel confident that you can contact your immigration attorney if there is an emergency, and that they have the time to legitimately dedicate to your case including any consultations, meetings, or court dates. You don’t want an attorney who is rushing through your case just to get the payout at the end.