Immigrants make up 13.7 percent of the population in the United States today.
When someone immigrates here, they are not yet citizens and must follow immigration laws to become one. This process can take years or even decades, depending on the immigration process.
The immigration process can be difficult to navigate on your own, which is why immigration lawyers are often sought out. However, with the many immigration law firms available in any city or state, it’s important to know what you’re looking for before deciding on one.
This guide will help you show you how to find an immigration lawyer. Read on!
Make Sure Immigration Law Is Their Area of Expertise
The first factor to consider when choosing an immigration lawyer is what area of law they specialize in. Immigration lawyers are not all the same, so make sure you find one who specializes in your specific needs.
For instance, if you’re looking for citizenship or residency status after marriage to a US citizen, it would be best to choose an attorney with experience with this type of case rather than someone whose expertise lies elsewhere. Make sure their knowledge will help get results.
Learn about immigration lawyer services here.
Make Sure the Lawyer Has Experience
Regardless of immigration law specialization, immigration lawyers must have extensive experience in immigration cases.
While it’s not necessary to find an immigration lawyer who has been practicing for decades, they must have had several years’ worth of practice. More time spent working with immigrant clients helps them better understand your concerns.
If you’re seeking asylum or deportation defense, these types of cases can be especially complex, so having experience really matters here. It will help keep your case strong while preventing unnecessary errors from being made.
Be Sure They Will Fight for You
It’s also important to find an immigration lawyer who will put your case first and fight for you. Otherwise, they’re not doing their job.
Immigration cases can be especially tough: it may feel like the system is against you in this process. Having a good immigration attorney on your side can make all the difference when going up against such challenging odds.
If someone doesn’t want to take on that challenge or to spend much time working on your case, then chances are they don’t really care about getting results either.
Consult Another Attorney First
When looking for the best immigration lawyer, it’s a good idea to consult other attorneys first. This gives you insight into what others are suggesting and can help guide your decision on who to work with once that time comes.
You should also check references from past clients as well as their record of results. These things give valuable information about how an attorney works and if they do a good job or not. If nothing else, speaking with another attorney will surely help make sure this is the right choice for you.
Get a Free Consultation
Finally, be sure to get the most out of your free consultation. Take this time with an attorney and ask questions about their experience and what they can do for you that another lawyer cannot.
This is also a good opportunity to see how professional they are in person. So keep an eye on things like punctuality and dress code. Being late or not dressed appropriately aren’t deal-breakers, but they may give insight into your potential working relationship going forward.
How To Hire an Immigration Lawyer
Finding the best immigration lawyer is a process that you shouldn’t be rush. Take some time to consult with other attorneys and get a free initial consultation so you can make an informed decision on which attorney will help get results for your case.
Keep reading our articles for more crucial tips.