Selecting an Immigration Lawyer

There are many situations in which you might consider hiring an immigration lawyer, but what do you look for when you decide that you need legal representation?

Although cost may be your primary concern, you should remember that an adverse decision regarding a visa and/or deportation can adversely affect your life as well as the lives of your family members; accordingly, if you have decided to hire an immigration lawyer to handle all or part of your case, you should try to find the best one you can. So what factors should you be considering? They include the following:

1. Lawyer’s experience.

You want to an immigration lawyer who has worked closely with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in the past, not only because they are more familiar with regulations and timelines but also because they may be able to push through your case a bit faster.

Be sure to ask how long they’ve been practicing, what types of immigration cases they have handled, and what the results were in those cases. You may also want to ask for client references you can contact to get more information regarding the lawyer’s professionalism.

You may also want to ask about how many open case files they have to get an idea of how busy the office is and whether the lawyer has other help (paralegals, etc.).

2. The complexity of your case.

If you have a fairly straightforward immigration issue, you may consider opting for an attorney with less experience in order to save some money, but if your case has any complications, be sure to weigh that into your decision on who is the best immigration lawyer for you.

3. Your instincts.

Last but certainly not least, you should trust your instincts regarding your immigration lawyer. You must have the utmost trust in this person as you are ensuring them with a very important aspect of your life. If there is just something about them you don’t like, even if you can’t put your finger on what it is, it’s probably a good idea to move on to another lawyer.

This list is certainly not exhaustive, but it will get you off to a good start on selecting an immigration lawyer. In any event, before you sign any agreement to be represented, make sure you understand the fee schedule and what costs are included and which are not.