How to Choose an Immigration Lawyer: Seven Tips You Need To Know
According to data from the Pew Research Center, more than one million people immigrate to the United States each year. That being said, immigrating to the U.S. is not necessarily easy. It is complex and paperwork-intensive. Professional guidance and support can make a big difference.
This raises an important question: How do you choose the right immigration lawyer? The answer depends on several factors. Below you will find an overview of actionable tips that you can use when hiring an immigration law attorney.
Seven Tips to Keep in Mind When Looking for an Immigration Law Attorney
Beware of Non-Lawyers Offering “Legal” or Non-Legal Services
As a starting point, it is essential to emphasize that you should look for a licensed immigration attorney. When you search for professional guidance and support, you may come across non-lawyers offering some form of “legal” or non-legal consulting services. Consultants, notaries, and other unlicensed individuals are not permitted to practice immigration law in the United States.
Unfortunately, some of these companies have even been known to defraud their clients. They may try to take advantage of a person’s lack of background experience with U.S. immigration or the U.S. legal system more generally. You should always look for an immigration attorney who is licensed to practice law in at least one state bar association in the United States.
The Top Immigration Attorneys are Focused on Immigration Law
Immigration is a complex and highly technical area of law. For this reason, it is always best to choose a lawyer who focuses their professional practice on immigration. It is not uncommon to come across a lawyer who is a general practitioner. They may handle a wide variety of different types of legal matters, including things like personal injury law and criminal defense. A general practitioner who offers immigration law services likely does not handle a large number of cases. In fact, a general practice attorney may only take on a few immigration cases each year.
The top immigration lawyers focus their practice on immigration law. They do not spend a significant amount of time dabbling in other legal matters, like accident cases or real estate. An attorney with decades of experience devoting their professional practice to immigration will likely have represented thousands of clients. They will have a deep understanding of how the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the system work more broadly.
Find an Immigration Lawyer With Relevant Experience
Immigration law is a vast field. Within the practice area, there are many different specific issues. There are immigration lawyers for businesses and immigration attorneys for individuals. You should hire an immigration lawyer with relevant experience in matters similar to those you are navigating.
As an example, imagine that you are applying for a student visa to come to the United States from India. It would be helpful to choose an immigration lawyer who has experience handling student visa applications. If you are looking to bring your family to the United States, it is best to find an immigration lawyer who understands the complexities of the family immigration system.
Consider Professional Associations and Professional Accolades
Confirming credentials is an essential part of choosing an immigration lawyer. It is also a best practice to check on their professional associations. In many cases, top immigration lawyers are connected with an extensive network of other immigration law advocates. For example, many immigration attorneys in the United States are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Look for an Open, Honest, and Transparent Immigration Advocate
False promises are the last thing you want from an immigration lawyer. You should always hire an immigration attorney who is open, honest, and transparent. When you invest your time, money, energy, and future towards immigrating to the United States, you will want to have a complete and accurate picture of the likely results. A lofty promise can sound good at the moment, but it will lead to significant frustration if the immigration attorney cannot actually help you achieve that outcome.
Check for Reviews and Testimonials, Ask for References
The right immigration lawyer is one who has a proven record of success helping other clients navigate the system. You should always check for their reviews and testimonials. Likewise, you should not hesitate to ask for references from an immigration lawyer. A reliable immigration attorney should be able to provide references from previous clients. Reviewing testimonials and checking for references can help to confirm that an immigration lawyer will be able to deliver.
Seek More Information During an Initial Immigration Consultation
Finally, setting up an initial consultation with an immigration lawyer you are considering hiring is always a good idea. You may not be truly sure that you have found the right immigration attorney until you can talk with them about your particular issue. During a confidential initial immigration consultation, you will be able to:
- Ask an immigration lawyer about their experience and their professional practice.
- Ask questions about your immigration law matter.
- Get guidance on how they will handle your case; and
- Inquire about the specific steps that they will take on your behalf.
A consultation with an immigration attorney is your chance to confirm that you have found a legal advocate whom you have confidence in to handle your case correctly. As the U.S. immigration system can sometimes move slowly, you should choose an immigration lawyer you feel comfortable speaking to and working with throughout the legal process.
Contact Our Immigration Law Attorney Today
At the Immigration Desk, our immigration team has unparalleled experience. If you have any specific questions or concerns about the immigration process, we are here to help. Call or connect with us directly online to set up a fully confidential, no-obligation initial consultation. Our law firm is working to build America, one immigrant at a time.
