“It looks like there’s enough information on the USCIS website and I can research online to figure out how to submit my application. It seems straight forward enough, why should I hire an immigration attorney?”
This is a common question, especially during consultations. And the answer is an attorney classic, “it depends.”
When You May Not Need an Immigration Attorney
Sometimes you don’t need to hire an attorney. If you don’t have any criminal history/arrests, you’re in the U.S. on a valid visa, and you’ve studied all of the requirements and eligibility on the USCIS website, you may be good to go. This is especially so for cases that require only one form, like naturalization or an I-130 petition.
And many applications and petitions are now available to submit online while USCIS continues to increase efforts for seamless web-based submissions. For more tech-savvy folks, this is a great option!
Whether you hire an attorney or not, we do recommend a consultation so that you can at least confirm that the research you’ve done and your current understanding is correct. An attorney will also be able to help set expectations for timeline, likely results, cost, etc.
When You Should Hire an Immigration Attorney
In other situations, it is in your best interest to hire an immigration lawyer. The most common reason is that you have a criminal or arrest history. Even if it was 10+ years ago and ultimately dismissed, any type of criminal history can have serious impacts on the outcome and eligibility of your U.S. immigration case. If you have any previous arrest(s), we highly recommend speaking with an immigration attorney.
Another common reason is that you simply don’t have time to file on your own. Most immigration cases require several types of forms, fees, and documents. If you’d rather pay someone else to do the whole process for you, hiring an attorney to do so is the best solution!
And make sure you hire a licensed attorney. Individuals may pose as attorneys or claim to be “legal professionals”. Such individuals may be able to help you fill forms but they cannot give legal advice, tell you how to answer a question, or even tell you which forms are needed for your situation.
Hiring an immigration attorney gives you peace of mind. No second guessing, no late night Google searching or forum reading. You have the confidence and trust in your immigration attorney to be able to ask any question or notify you of recent policy updates.
Things to Consider
Perhaps you don’t squarely fit in any of the scenarios above. Then it often comes down to two things: 1) cost and 2) time.
Hiring an attorney can be expensive, we get it! But access to expertise and professional services shouldn’t be reserved to a select few or the elite. That’s why Genesis Immigration Law offers payment plans and flexibility.
Filing an immigration case may seem straight forward on paper, but when you get started you quickly realize how many different documents and forms one may need to juggle. Do you have the time to gather everything required, file, and track your case? Or would you rather give these responsibilities to your attorney?
Conclusion
Whether you decide to hire an attorney or not, the U.S. immigration system can quickly become complex. Some individuals are able to navigate on their own, while others like the assurance of an experienced attorney.
When in doubt, hire an attorney from the beginning. Too often individuals choose to “DIY” their immigration case only to have to hire an immigration attorney later, to help sort through an oversight that could have been avoided altogether.
Ready to talk about what options may be available for your immigration case? Book a consultation today and we’d be happy to start the journey with you!
Genesis Immigration Law PLLC 