Are you attempting to start on the process of immigrating to the United States? Or are you perhaps looking for advice involving securing a green card, or getting legal employment? Do you have questions about permanent residency, or the path to citizenship? Whatever your personal goals, U.S. immigration law can be a tricky subject to tackle on your own. If you want to give yourself the best shot at achieving your objectives, you will have a much better chance if you work with an experienced immigration lawyer.
At Fong Ilagan, we handle cases at every stage of the immigration process. We work with clients who are new to the country, and with clients who have been here for years and are seeking a change in status, or who need help with new paperwork or documentation. The work of an immigration lawyer can cover quite a few situations. Here are ___ ways an immigration lawyer can really make a difference.
8 Ways Your Immigration Lawyers Will Help You
1. They Make Sure You Are Current With the Latest Laws
U.S. immigration law is not only complicated—it’s constantly changing. Partly because it is such a political topic, it is not always possible to predict what the laws will be like many years in advance. At the same time, the process of legal immigration can often take several years to complete––not counting the process of becoming a citizen. When you try to figure it all out on your own, you run the risk of relying on old advice, or information that’s out of date. But when you work with great immigration attorneys, you will always have the latest information at your fingertips.
2. They Can Help Prevent Deportation
In addition to helping to assist with the legal immigration process, your attorney can help prevent deportation to another country. There are multiple situations where this can arise, and you may not be aware of all your rights or the choices that you can pursue. With a dedicated legal team available to help you, you can make sure that you are informed of all the options you have available.
3. They Can Help You Navigate the Path to Citizenship
If you want to become a U.S. citizen, you will need to pass several naturalization tests, including language and civics. Your attorneys can help you with the various paperwork and letters that you will need to provide in this process and make sure that you have everything you need. U.S. citizenship is not something that is usually achieved overnight, and you can benefit greatly from having a legal team that can walk you through the journey from start to finish.
4. They Can Help You In Ways Your Employer Might Not
In some cases, immigrants to the U.S. can enter because of their employment status. In many of these instances, the employer will help with the immigration process. However, if the employer is unable or unwilling to help, or if complications arise, the person who is relocating may find themselves in a difficult situation. If you are partway through a move but have discovered that you need more legal advice than your employer can give you, then you may want to seek out your own immigration attorney, who can offer personalized advice, and help smooth your transition to the U.S.
5. They Can Help You Avoid Costly Errors
Like almost any complex legal procedure, immigration involves a lot of paperwork. If you are filling out paperwork for multiple people or family members, this task can become even more daunting. In addition, there are many cases that may require extra attention if you are an immigrant, such as getting married, acquiring a visa, or procuring a green card for yourself or a family member. It is very important that every detail of your paperwork is done correctly.
If you are not familiar with all the laws, or if English is not your first language, there are many opportunities for mistakes that can seriously damage your chances of having the paperwork go through in a timely fashion, and in some cases, may even result in your application being rejected. In these instances, a personal immigration attorney can help make sure all your paperwork is done properly before it is submitted for approval.
6. They Can Help You Understand All Your Options
Every client is a unique human being with a particular set of circumstances. So many factors can affect your eligibility for a visa, work permit, permanent residence, or citizenship. Your immigration process can be seriously affected by your country of origin, your legal history, and even whether or not you currently family members already living in the U.S. When you are trying to plot a course of action, your lawyer can help you understand all your options, not just the most obvious ones. In addition, if you are ever in a situation that is urgent, such as facing deportation or a legal emergency, your attorney’s expertise can have a significant impact on your chance of getting a favorable outcome.
7. They Can Help You Find Legal Employment
Generally speaking, immigrants who are new to the country will want to find work once they have arrived in the U.S. If you are moving to the U.S. and don’t already have work arranged before you arrive, you may be overwhelmed by all of the things you have to do. Your lawyer can help you apply to jobs, find new opportunities, and understand other important processes such as income tax. In addition, they can connect you to career centers that provide counseling that is tailored to immigrants, or to workers who may not speak English as a native language. All this will put you in a better position to find better quality work, in a legal way.
8. They Can Continue to Help You After Your Move Has Been Completed
When you first come to the U.S., you will have to go through a lot of steps and processes in order to make the move. But you still may need legal advice, even after you have found a place to live, a job, and completed all the necessary paperwork. There are many laws in the U.S. that affect immigrants in unique ways, which could result in deportation even if you have already gained permanent residence. Given how much work it is to come to the U.S., it would be a terrible waste to lose this progress by making an error that results in deportation.
Immigration lawyers can lend their expertise long after you have made a home for yourself in the U.S., and give you peace of mind that you have a much better chance of avoiding this unfortunate scenario.
Give Us a Call and Set Up an Appointment Today
Whether you are looking to come into the country for the first time, or change your status, we can make sure you are ready to take that next step. If you are looking for help in navigating the complicated world of U.S. immigration law, please contact the attorneys at Fong Ilagan, LLP at 713.772.2300, or visit www.fonglegal.com. Our legal team has decades of experience and a wealth of expertise that can help you every step of the way. We look forward to serving you!