The Role of an Immigration Attorney
Whether you will need an immigration attorney will be determined by your reasons for entering the United States, and by your background. If you just want to visit the U.S., you may not even need to obtain a visa. Check with a U.S. consulate or embassy in your country to determine the visa requirements.
If you are coming to the United States as a result of a job offer from a U.S. employer, your prospective employer will probably either hire an attorney to do the work, or use someone on staff with specialized training in immigration procedures.
In many instances, you may consult an attorney because you are overwhelmed or frustrated by the process of obtaining a green card, or bringing a family member to the U.S., and have been unable to obtain assistance from the Bureau of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If you fear that there is something in your background that may prohibit you from obtaining a green card or bringing a family member to the U.S., or if you or a loved one have been contacted by the USCIS and threatened with deportation, it is well worth it to seek advise from an attorney. In some cases, failing to obtain the advice of an attorney could mean the difference between permanent residence and deportation. Many immigration attorneys will give you a free consultation, or deduct the cost of the consultation from your total fees.
If any of the following descriptions apply to you, it will be worth your while to seek legal advice from an immigration attorney:
1. If you have committed or been convicted of any crime.
Most USCIS forms ask whether you have committed or been convicted of a crime, and remember that you will be fingerprinted if you want to immigrate. While not all crimes create a barrier to immigration, if you make misrepresentations on your immigration forms, you risk deportation.
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