If you are looking to fulfill your American dream, one of the first things you have to find is a partnership with a trusted and experienced immigration attorney. The laws surrounding immigration are very sensitive and timebound, so you need someone with a proven track record to help, protect, and secure your future in the United States.
Immigration lawyers will help you handle a wide range of services. They provide aid with naturalization, immigration green card applications, deportation defense, short-term visas, employer compliance requirements, special immigrant status, among others.
Because of how risky and costly attempts to immigrate can be, a reputable immigration lawyer can often be your wisest investment. However, with so many lawyers offering similar services, how do you choose the right one for you?
1. Browse the Internet and Read Through Reviews
The internet knows no rivals when it comes to research. Utilize the power of search engines to help you find the experienced immigration attorney that you need in your local area. Our tip is to write down a number of choices and rank them based on your research.
2. Ask Trusted People for Their Recommendations
Another resource that you should consider is your family, relatives, friends, and loved ones, especially those who had experiences immigrating to the U.S. They can guide and educate you on the process, plus, they can help you make smarter decisions.
If it’s possible, ask them for U.S. immigration lawyer recommendations. Feel free to ask your trusted loved ones any questions you may have about the process. Take note of valuable details—the extent of services and contact information, in particular—as you might need them later.
3. Read Through Your Prospect’s Qualifications
When you need help with immigration, make sure you only seek advice from lawyers. Contrary to their claims, immigration advisors, counselors, notaries, or other titles cannot represent you in a court of law or with other immigration departments. What is worse, most of the time, they even take advantage of people by taking their money without pushing through with the services they promised and were paid for.
Make sure you hire an immigration attorney with the proper credentials. First, they must be registered with the bar association of the state where they can practice law. Second, you can ask for their records, certificates, and proof of specialization, if any.
4. Base Your Decision on Availability and Location
Most lawyers are very busy. Their days are filled with appointments, consultations, and court appearances. When you decide to partner with an immigration lawyer, you should make sure that you have someone who could be there for you and assist you during emergency situations.
Consequently, this is also the reason why you should choose an attorney who is in a location accessible to you. While the immigration service is ongoing, you might have several meetings that require you to visit the office. Having the attorney’s office farther away may bring additional stress to the process.
5. Schedule an Initial Meeting With Your Prospected Lawyer
It would be helpful to talk to a lawyer to see if they can help you and accommodate your unique situation. Try scheduling a phone or video call if traveling to their office will be too much. Initial consultation meetings usually take half an hour to complete, so it wouldn’t take too much of your time. Make the most of these opportunities and think carefully about the lawyer that will be the perfect match for you.
Final Thoughts
With the importance of immigration services, approach everything with great care and caution. Think about the choices that you will make because they will play a good role in your future living and travels to the United States.
If you want to start on your hunt for the best immigration lawyer in San Diego, book an appointment today with the San Diego Immigration Law Office. We are a full-service immigration law firm for your immigration needs. Please contact us today so we can help you fulfill your dreams.