Do you need an immigration lawyer to help you with your case?
Have you wondered if you need an immigration lawyer to help you with your case? Although you’re not required to work with a lawyer, there are many instances where it can significantly increase the chances of your case getting approved, especially if it’s not straightforward. If you’d like to enter or remain in the United States, but there are legal complications at play, one of the first things you should do is consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
What Do Immigration Lawyers Do?
Immigration law is extremely complex, and many times, making a single mistake on a form can cause an application to be denied, delayed, or even cause the applicant to get deported. The forms can be long, complicated, and confusing, with questions that often require legal consideration. In addition, immigration law changes frequently, as do procedures regarding required forms, fees, and filing instructions. Making mistakes during the immigration process can be costly in terms of time, money, and mental health, and they can also lead to potentially devastating consequences. Some examples include:
- ➤ Wasting time and money for filling out the wrong forms for your case, only to have the application be denied
- ➤ Delays lasting several years due to providing applications with errors or incomplete documentation
- ➤ Having your application be rejected immediately because you forgot to sign it
- ➤ Missing your window to renew, causing your current status to expire
- ➤ Deportation proceedings due to applications for immigration benefits that shouldn’t have been filed
This is where immigration lawyers come in. Immigration lawyers interpret U.S. immigration law and guide their clients through the complicated processes. For many clients, working with an immigration lawyer is life-changing; families can stay together, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for education or employment can be taken advantage of, and long-time residents aren’t forced to uproot their lives.
When Should I Consider Working with an Immigration Lawyer?
Although you can choose to work with an immigration lawyer for any type of immigration case, there are some circumstances where it’s highly recommended. Here are some of the most common situations:
When you don’t know enough about immigration law to make your case successful.
If you know nothing about immigration law or your case is complex enough that it requires more in-depth knowledge of immigration law, it’s essential to work with an immigration attorney. When it comes to immigration, the clock is ticking. You don’t necessarily have the time to read up on detailed parts of the law or to try to figure out which requirements, procedures, etc. apply to your case.
Working with an immigration lawyer will help save you time and ensure that everything is done correctly. They’ll educate you about aspects of the law as it applies to your case and can act on your behalf with the USCIS. An immigration lawyer can also help you fill and file paperwork, assist you with gathering the correct documentation, and help you determine if you might qualify for waivers or a different type of visa.
When you’re at risk of deportation or have been ordered deported.
There are several reasons an individual might be at risk of deportation or ordered deported, including:
- ➤ Entering the U.S. illegally
- ➤ Staying beyond their visa departure date
- ➤ Failing to comply with the terms of a visa or maintaining status
- ➤ Failing to notify USCIS of a change of address
- ➤ Committing a crime
- ➤ Violating U.S. immigration laws
- ➤ Relying on need-based government assistance within five years of U.S. entry
Just as it’s extremely beneficial to have a criminal defense lawyer if you’re charged with a crime, working with an immigration lawyer is invaluable when it comes to cases dealing with potential issues that if not handled correctly, could lead to deportation. Your lawyer can help you determine whether you might qualify for waivers that can help you stay in the country or re-enter it after deportation or unlawful presence, such as an I601 waiver, an I601a waiver, or an I212 waiver.
When you need to hire foreign workers.
If your business needs workers who specialize in certain fields, but there are no qualified U.S. citizen candidates, you may need to hire individuals who live abroad. An immigration lawyer can help you figure out what’s needed in terms of employment visas, which can expedite the process and allow you to spend more time focusing on your business.
When your case is delayed or denied.
Going through the entire immigration process only to have your case delayed or denied is frustrating, especially because it means you’ll have to spend more time and effort if you want to reapply. To prevent further delays or complications, it’s best to consult an immigration attorney as soon as possible to make sure you’re not missing a window of opportunity to request an appeal or before the case is considered officially closed.
When you need to have the two-year home residency requirement waived.
Most people who enter the U.S. on a J1 exchange visitor visa are subject to a two-year home residency requirement that requires J1 visa holders to return to their home country for two years after their visa expires before they can reapply. In some cases, this can cause significant hardship for individuals, especially if their country is experiencing conflict or there would be a real threat of the individual being persecuted or harmed if they were to return—just to name two examples. A J1 waiver waives the two-year requirement and allows the individual to continue staying in the U.S.
Working with an immigration lawyer can help improve the chances of getting your waiver approved, especially in cases of exceptional hardship. Since the waiver processing time can take up to several months, it’s essential to make sure all the paperwork is filed correctly and to provide the proper evidence—especially if your J-1 visa end date is coming up.
Do You Need an Immigration Attorney? Contact Ranchod Law Group
Immigration law is complicated, but with the help of an experienced immigration attorney, you don’t have to figure everything out on your own. If you feel you could benefit from legal counsel regarding your case, contact Ranchod Law Group. We’ve helped thousands of people from around the world achieve their dream of living or working in the United States and are committed to providing exceptional service that’s personalized to your unique circumstances. To schedule a consultation with us, please call us at 916-613-3553 or email us at info@ranchodlaw.com.