If you are thinking of immigrating to any part of the U.S., one of the most crucial and first steps you should take is hiring a good lawyer. However, hiring a good immigration lawyer isn't as easy as it may seem. You'll have to talk to several attorneys before you finally select one. Here are some important things you should consider before you do take the plunge.
Experience and AILA Membership
One of the most important considerations are what kind of experience does the lawyer have. If they have been practicing for some time, chances are, they'll have done several challenging cases throughout their career. You should also ask them about their credentials and background, and perhaps talk to some former client and ask them how they handled things.
Another crucial consideration is whether the attorney is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. AILA is an organization consisting of more than eleven thousand lawyers and professors that practice immigration law. They deal with the U.S. immigration policies and know more system loopholes than anyone else does. These lawyers usually represent businesses and even students or asylum seekers without any compensation.
One more thing you should ask lawyers is whether they have worked on cases similar to yours before. If they have, that is a definite plus because every case is different and unique in its own way. If a lawyer has worked on a case like yours, they'll know exactly how to push things forward to minimize the chances of the rejection of your application.
The Next Steps And Game Plan
You must ask them how they will proceed and take your case forward. At the very least, it'll give you a better idea of how complicated things might get. The more experienced and aggressive your lawyer is, the better off you'll be. Good lawyers have good intuition and based on their experience, they can tell you what the chances are of your application being approved. They won't put their reputations at stake by making a commitment they can't deliver. If they do make a commitment though, they will keep it. However, be wary about what the lawyer says, because there are quite a few attorneys out there that aren't really reliable. Another thing you can ask them is how you can improve your chances for success. In most instances, your lawyer will ask for some more documents or information that can help your case. Just make sure whatever you tell them is correct and complete.
Timeframe And Support Staff
Another key consideration is how long the process and case resolution will take. You can't really have an exact figure whenever a case involves the government, but you can at least get an estimate as to how long it'll take. That way, you can schedule any interviews or other activities in line with that timeframe.
Every attorney has a number of support staff that can actually play a very important role in your case. Lawyers usually have a few researchers and investigators on their panel to gather as much information as they can about your case. You should familiarize yourself with their roles and even talk to them regularly if you can. Moreover, you can also see if the attorney has someone on their team that speaks your native language and understands your culture so that communication is easier.
Communication
One of the most, if not the most crucial and determining factors in any immigration case is communication between you and your attorney. If you are overseas or in another state, you have to pay very close attention to time differences and the attorney's preferred communication medium; be it email, snail mail, or phone. The better the communication is between you and your attorney, the higher the chances of successful resolution of your case.
Total Costs And Charges
Perhaps the most important consideration for hiring immigration lawyers is how much they charge, and what the overall process will cost you. You should clearly ask what mode of payment the attorney's office accepts and how and when you will be billed. You should also ask for a breakup of the costs and try to minimize it as much as you can. Ask for any extra expenses as well, and always keep a buffer amount of money on hand, just in case.
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