Immigration cases can be really complex and can take a long time to get resolved. It is important to consider how complicated your case is when deciding how long it will take you to resolve it. But the immigration Attorney you hire can also make a big difference in how quickly and successfully you resolve your case.

When it comes to immigration law, it is important to have the right legal advice and representation. An immigration lawyer is well-versed in US immigration laws and can help you protect your rights and give you the best shot at success. But hiring the right immigration lawyer for your case can be tricky.

This is even more so if you do not know what to look out for. So, how do you know the immigration lawyer that is right for you? We often hear horror stories about scammers who steal thousands of dollars from immigrants by claiming to be immigration lawyers. It is vital that you learn how to avoid these scams.

Doing your research before hiring a lawyer to help you avoid untold issues is a great idea. Here are some tips and questions to help you make the right choice.

1. Is the person an actual immigration lawyer?

If you are looking for an immigration lawyer, do not think of notaries, petition preparers, or visa consultants. Choosing any of these is like trying to get your doctor to do your taxes or your neighbor to do your heart valve. It will not work.

When you are looking for an immigration attorney, you might run into some consultants, notaries, or notaries who say they can help with US immigration. Just keep in mind that they cannot legally do that.

In some places, notaries can do legal work and are respected. But in the US, the main job of notaries is to look at someone sign a paper.

Scammers take advantage of the public’s confusion between notaries in other countries and notaries in the US. The best way to not be a victim of such fraud is to avoid them.

Even lawyers who say they know all the ins and outs of all US laws may not be able to help you. Stick with the ones who actually practice in the immigration field.

2. Does the immigration lawyer have an online presence?

If you are looking for a good immigration lawyer, you should be able to find them easily online. You can check out their website or other sites that give them credibility.

A good immigration lawyer will have a website that is well-designed and has lots of client reviews and info about their cases.

The main reason you should feel more confident with an online presence is because you can check out client’s reviews.

A reliable immigration lawyer who says they have been in the business for years should have their own website and a few client reviews.

If they do not have an online presence, it could be a sign that they are not reliable or experienced. You will need to be careful when dealing with them.

This is why it is vital to do an online search if you are looking for a good immigration lawyer. You can check out their profile to see if they handle your kind of case.

For example, if you need help getting a work visa but they specialize in asylum cases, they might not be right for you. You can also look at their license to see if it is still up to date and if they have ever been disciplined for any professional misconduct.

Every state’s Supreme Court makes this information available on its website. Immigration lawyers occasionally respond to legitimate complaints from current or former clients or ex-lawyers who are angry about an outcome that was out of their hands.

If you find out about any discipline, though, you will need to ask the lawyer more about it for clarification before deciding whether to hire the immigration lawyer.

3. Is the immigration lawyer’s fee very low?

Before hiring an immigration lawyer, be careful not to hire one who charges a super-low fee. Ask the immigration lawyer what the fee covers. Does the fee just cover the initial filing, or do they cover follow-ups, help with RFEs, and other things?

Experienced immigration lawyers know how much work goes into an immigration case, so that they will set reasonable fees.

4. Does the immigration attorney have experience?

If you are looking for a good immigration lawyer, it is vital to hire someone who knows the ins and outs of the immigration process.

An immigration lawyer who has experience can anticipate potential problems and is in a better position to handle them. They will also be more aware of any recent changes to immigration law that could have an impact on your case.

If you hire someone with lots of experience, they will know what to do next and how best to handle your case.

Also, it is a great idea to watch out for success stories of the immigration lawyer to be sure that the immigration lawyer has a long-standing record of success over the years of practice.

5. Genuine referrals can help.

If you are having trouble deciding who to hire, chat with your friends and family who have been through the process.

If you are looking for a good immigration lawyer, it is a good idea to get a referral from someone you trust. Ask your friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations.

Getting a referral can give you more insight into the immigration lawyer’s background and what they expect.

6. Talk with the immigration lawyer you are considering.

If you are looking for a good immigration lawyer, try to get in touch with the ones you are thinking of hiring by phone or email.

Be short and let them know how you found them. Send an email directly to the lawyer you are interested in, and make sure you use the right salutation.

Do not send a broadcast email to a bunch of lawyers at once. It might not work. Sending one email to all the lawyers at a time could be seen as pointless and avoidable.

Also, think about whether you want a lawyer who answers generic questions.

You can take this a step further by setting up a quick phone call with a prospective lawyer. Ask about your case and their experience with similar cases.

Ask about fees. Ask about the initial consultation fee and if it is a flat fee or hourly. Talk about how you would like to pay. Do you want to pay by retainer, monthly invoice, or monthly installments?

If you finally decide that the lawyer is a good immigration lawyer, hire the lawyer by signing a written services agreement that outlines the lawyer’s work and fees.

Get Help!

When you are looking for a good immigration lawyer to help with your case, it is a good idea to hire a firm that fits into the checklist above.

Immigration law can be complicated, so you want an immigration lawyer who knows what they are doing and can handle every step of the process, from paperwork to getting ready for an immigration hearing.

That is where Gehi and Associates come in. We have been in the immigration business for years and know what we are doing. Our immigration lawyers work hard to get you the best result possible. Get in touch with us today!