Success doesn’t come without its costs. Behind every victory is compromise, sacrifice, and adjustment. This rings true in many aspects of life, and that includes obtaining successful entrance into the United States as a lawful worker, businessman, or immigrant.
Going through the hoops of US immigration laws has its own set of challenges. These challenges aren’t meant to be faced alone by any individual who is unfamiliar with how immigration laws in the country work. This is where a US immigration lawyer can help you. The question is, is it worth hiring an immigration lawyer? Read on to find out.
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Charge?
If you want to know if it’s worth all the trouble and money to hire a lawyer, then breaking down the usual legal fees should give you a better idea of it. Now, legal fees vary widely depending on the services needed. For example, hiring an attorney to help file a family-based immigration petition will be much less costly than hiring a lawyer to defend you in a deportation case. Some of the common legal fees you may pay, depending on your need, are:
- Application for Employment Authorization (Work Permit): $300-600
- Citizenship/Naturalization Application: $1000-2,500
- Family-Based Petition: $1000-3,000
- Employment-Based Petitions: $2,500-7,000
- Asylum Application: $3,000-8,000
- Adjustment of Status Application: $2,000-6,000
- Deportation Defense: $4,000-15,000
A look at this breakdown shows that hiring a lawyer to defend your case will often take up the largest proportion of money. In fact, the fees could go up further if the case involves many court appearances or complex defense strategies. Attorney’s fees also depend largely on their experience and track record. If they work in major US cities like New York or San Francisco, rates are bound to be higher than you expect.
Why Pay For an Attorney?
It’s never a bad thing to hire an attorney to assist in legal matters, especially if it’s about immigration. But considering the costs, it’s understandable that some people are reluctant to hire a lawyer. However, if you’re dealing with any of the following issues, then hiring an attorney becomes a necessity:
- Complex application process for Visas and family-based petitions,
- Detention and deportation
- Immigration violations
- Criminal Offenses
These situations warrant the presence of a legal professional as they pose unique problems for the prospective immigrant and require careful analysis and expertise. You need proper guidance if you want to win your case over these situations, and that is only possible with the help of someone who knows how the system works.
Is It Actually Worth It to Hire an Attorney?
Considering the costs and the situations you have to deal with, then the answer is a resounding yes!
A US immigration lawyer will be able to explain all the options you have for your case and help you avoid any mistakes that could cost you even more money. They have a firm understanding of permits and regulations as well as what it takes to win a case like deportation or any case that involves a criminal offense. Remember, these lawyers have been helping people like you for years so you can use their expertise and experience in the matter.
Conclusion
Hiring an immigration attorney in San Diego may be the last thing on your mind to fix your legal troubles, but it’s definitely worth it to do so. You’ll be able to save time, effort, and money by letting someone with experience handle the case for you and give you valuable advice you won’t get anywhere else.
The San Diego Immigration Law Office serves the community by representing individuals, corporations, and other businesses to realize their goals of living and working in the US. We are experienced lawyers specializing in complex immigration issues like unlawful presence, naturalizations, and derivation of citizenship. If you need a San Diego immigration lawyer you can trust, call our law office today.