How To Find The Best Immigration Lawyer Near You
It is well known that Immigration is a critical and complicated process that affects people’s lives to a great extent. Navigating the immigration landscape in the United States without an immigration lawyer is quite difficult, considering the complexities involved and the ever-changing regulations and laws.
Today when most forms and instructions are available online, it is natural to wonder whether you need the assistance of a professional to handle your immigration matter. However, these cases and issues are rarely simple; trying to handle them yourself can be challenging and dangerous at times.
Whether you need assistance with your process in the US or have been charged with an offense or crime related to immigration, your best bet is to hire a lawyer who can help you navigate the US system. In this guide, we discuss all you should know about finding the best lawyer.
What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?
You can hire a licensed lawyer to assist you with your case and matter. They interpret the laws and regulations, help clients understand their rights and possible options, and guide them through the complicated procedure.
Lawyers are responsible for providing legal help to clients on various problems associated with legal and illegal immigration in the US. They also help complete legal formalities for work permits and different types of visas like business, tourist, and medical.
One of their primary jobs is to assist in preparing and submitting documents to respective authorities. They also consult clients on activities related to visa renewals, visa status conversion, and registration with offices.
They are responsible for resolving issues related to work permits, visa refusal, and others. They file appeals and represent you before the court when you face removal or deportation proceedings.
Cost of hiring a lawyer
Usually Immigration lawyers are not among the highest-paid attorneys in the United States. They understand that clients are approaching them when they often find difficulty obtaining the right to work in the country and hence price their services accordingly.
When interviewing different lawyers to choose one, you may have to pay an initial consultation fee of about $100-$400 though some good attorneys offer a free consultation.
The exact cost of hiring a lawyer depends on the service you need. For example, hiring a lawyer to help with an immigration petition would cost less than seeking legal assistance to defend you in a removal case before the court.
Also, you can expect to pay more if the attorney has an extensive experience in the area, practices in major US cities, or have other reasons to charge higher. The cost of hiring a lawyer also varies depending on the complexity of your immigration issue or case.
What should you expect?
How much you pay for a lawyer services also depends on the fee structure they offer. Most attorneys charge an hourly rate for representing clients in legal proceedings because it is difficult to predict the total effort they would need to put in when dealing with court proceedings.
The hourly rate can be anywhere between $100 and $700, depending on the location and the lawyer’s reputation. Some lawyers charge a flat fee for different services when they can easily predict the time the case demands.
The average flat fee falls between $2,000-$10,000 for visa applications and other related services in the US. However, it varies greatly depending on the location and the complexity of the matter.
| Services | Price |
|---|---|
| Consultation | $150 To $400 Per Hour |
| B-1 / B-2 Business Visa & Renewals | $750 To $2,500 |
| H1B, H4, L-1, E-2, TN & O1 Visa | $200 To $6,500 (Based on complexity & effort) |
| Green Card Applications | $1,250 To $10,000 |
How to define who is the right lawyer for You?
Immigration processes and matters can affect your lives significantly. The lawyer you choose to represent you in the court or advise you on the rights, laws, and regulations affects how smoothly you can handle the matter.
Hiring a qualified, reputed, experienced lawyer can greatly improve your odds of obtaining the immigration benefits and results you desire. However, choosing the right attorney can be a daunting task considering the number of options available.
Let us see how you can choose the best lawyer to fit your needs:
- Personal Referrals
The best way to begin your search for a lawyer in the US is to ask for referrals from people you trust.
Personal recommendations are the best way of finding a reliable service. See if your friends and relatives have used such services in the past.
Ask them about their experience with specific attorneys and list the options you find suitable for your requirements.
- Contact State Bar Associations
Most states have bar associations that lawyers join to network with peers, obtain new clients, and stay updated on the latest changes and education resources.
The AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) is the popular bar association for immigrants. They often offer referral services to help people find the best lawyers for their cases.
AILA and other speciality bar associations even have categories and subcategories to help you find an attorney specialized in handling cases like yours.
- Researching the Lawyers
Apart from personal recommendations and bar associations, you can rely on the internet search to find the best lawyers for immigration cases in the US. A quick online search would give you a list of relevant professionals and services to consider.
You can look at the profile of different lawyers to verify that they handle cases like yours. You can also check their licensing, specialization, and experience level. Such detailed research would help ensure you shortlist only the most appropriate lawyers.
- Narrowing Down The Options
Choosing the best ones from your shortlisted options requires consulting them personally. Some lawyers may charge you for the initial consultation, while others offer a free meeting to discuss the case.
Even if you need to pay, it is worth spending to find out whether the professional suits your requirements and expectations before hiring them. You can ask questions at the meeting to learn more about the lawyers and then compare them to decide on somebody you think you can trust the most.
Things you need to know before talking to an immigration lawyer
Once you have shortlisted candidates and done your research, the next step is to make initial contact with those professionals. Most lawyers would schedule a free consultation with you to discuss the case and matter.
This is your chance to learn more about them and decide whether they are the best representation for your case. However, there are a few things you should be aware of before contacting one:
- Expertise & Specialization of The Lawyer
The first thing you want to consider in a lawyer is the speciality in the law concerning your matter or case. As immigration law falls under federal practice, you can choose an attorney from any state, which means you get more options.
You want to check the specialties handled by the lawyer to ensure they can deal well with your case. Rather than choosing the most experienced lawyer in the area, you should focus on finding somebody who specializes in the specific area of immigration law.
- The In-Charge of Your Case
The next thing you want to know before talking to a lawyer is whether they will be handling your case themselves or assigning it to somebody else.
Most attorneys have support staff that works closely with them and take care of simple cases. It is advisable to find out who will be the contact person for your case to check your compatibility with them and make the right decision.
- Ease of Communication
You should also check that the lawyer you are considering can communicate effectively with you. You certainly want to work with somebody with whom you feel comfortable sharing your issue and requirements.
Ideally, you want to hire a professional that listens to you calmly, explains everything about the law and your case, and answers any questions you may have. This can give you some peace of mind and simplify the process.
How To Prepare For A Lawyer Consultation
Lawyers are often busy people handling a large volume of calls and queries every day. This means you should make the most out of your initial consultation with them.
Being prepared ahead of time ensures that you can use the opportunity to make the right decision about your choice of lawyer. Let us see how you can prepare for your meeting with the attorney.
Keep The Form Ready
Most immigration lawyers in the US would send you a form that contains your basic information. Make sure you fill it out properly and send before the meeting or carry it with you.
If you haven’t received such a form, you should write down all the personal and professional details to provide the lawyer with a comprehensive way to learn about you and your case.
Gather Relevant Documents
The most important documents your lawyer may need include your work and visa applications, marriage certificates, passports, birth certificates, and letters of correspondence from the immigration service.
If you are not sure about the relevance of a document, carry a copy and let the attorney decide whether it is useful.
Bring Copies of Correspondence
For any legal case against you, carry all the documents of correspondence with the police and court. It would help if you did not try to hide the information from the lawyer, as it will ultimately affect your case and outcome.
Prepare Lists of Events, Dates, and Situations Relevant to the Case
These details include when and why you left your country and whether you have any sponsor in the US.
You should also write down all the details, facts, events, and important dates you remember and the names of people you think can provide useful information about your case.
Carry your Question List
It is advisable to write down any questions you want to ask the attorney about their service, your case, or the immigration process. You might consider asking these questions to the lawyer at the meeting.
- What options or benefits I can expect?
- Are there any risks involved with the proceeding?
- What are the success chances for my case?
- How long would it take to resolve?
You can add questions related to the lawyer’s expertise, experience level, and specialization if you think you want to know more about them before finalizing your choice. You should also ask about the cost and the billing structure if you haven’t yet received it from their side.
FAQ's
How much does it cost to hire an immigration lawyer in the US?
Based on the geographical location and reputation of the attorney, You can expect to pay between $150 and $300 per.
Where can I find an immigration lawyer?
The best way to get reliable options is to get recommendations from friends and family. You can also visit the lawyer bar association website to get lists of lawyers practicing in your region or using our search by zip option.
What does an immigration lawyer do?
They are responsible for advising clients on their immigration rights, the area of law, and the procedures. They also help prepare and submit documents for visas and work permits and represent clients in court when a legal proceeding is related to immigration.
Summary
Finding a suitable lawyer for your needs can take some time and effort. However, a reputed attorney specializing in the law concerning your matter or case can give you peace of mind. Knowing that you have an expert by your side who can get you the desired outcome can make the process easier.
Do your research, shortlist the best options for your requirements and consult some lawyers to find somebody you feel comfortable with and who suits your needs.