If you are a U.S. citizen, then your immigration status is not in question, unless you have been convicted of a crime, in which case your immigration status may be subject to review. If you are not a U.S. citizen, then your immigration status will be determined by whether or not you are legally allowed to live and work in the United States.
To achieve this permanent resident status, different types of visas are available to immigrants who wish to live and work in America. They include tourist visas, student visas, business visas, religious visas, and investor visas. The immigration laws of the United States are extremely complicated, and can often be difficult to understand and begin the application, which is often time-consuming.
Therefore, advisably you should have an experienced immigration lawyer standing for you to help file your paperwork and ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible. So, what exactly are the things an immigration lawyer can help do for you?
Helps you determine whether you need a visa
As an immigrant, you are bound to move across international borders from one country to another. Most people from different countries can enter the United States once they fulfill all the requirements set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
However, not all countries of the world require a visa for their citizens to be allowed entry into the United States. Currently, about 40 countries are beneficiaries of the Visa Waiver Program dispensed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Consequently, an immigration lawyer will help you determine if your home country is one of the visa-free countries. If not, you will then be advised on the best type of visa to apply for immigration into the U.S.
Helps you prepare all of your paperwork without mistakes
One drawback to filing incorrect or incomplete paperwork is that it can delay your application or even lead to a denial of your application request. And depending on your immigration needs, you will need the assistance of an immigration lawyer in many ways.
If you are getting married to a U.S. citizen, you will need to prepare your marriage certificate or license as one of the documents to be filed. In like manner, you may be applying to work in the U.S., for your green card, or for citizenship. There are essential documents that must be included in your case file. It is easy to miss out on one of these documents since a lot of them have to be filed.
But immigration lawyers are not prone to such errors. They are seasoned enough to check that these documents are properly filled out, review their adequacy for the application they are for, and assess their content to ensure they are accurate and complete.
If you happen to have submitted these documents yourself, an immigration lawyer can help you submit any document that is required by U.S. law that you have not submitted by yourself.
Represents you at any hearings that may be necessary
Depending on your situation or the peculiarity of your case, an immigration lawyer can help you prepare your immigration paperwork if English is your second language. This includes making provisions for the translation of your documents that are not in the English language.
Also, in situations where you need to be represented in court, an immigration lawyer can speak on your behalf and assist with filing paperwork to avoid detention or deportation.
Immigration lawyers also defend clients against arrest, as well as defend immigrants who are held by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Uses their expertise to determine the best path
As mentioned earlier, there are many types of visas a prospective immigrant can apply for to enter the United States. However, eligibility for these visa types varies for individuals based on their skills or preference.
This invariably impacts the path to getting a visa a prospective immigrant can opt for as well as the path to citizenship an immigrant can adopt. Due to how intrinsic and extensive the process of application can be, it will be best to engage the experience and expertise of an immigration lawyer to help you find the best way to apply for a visa based on your personal circumstances and goals.
Also, immigration lawyers are more attuned to regulations and policies on immigration in the U.S. and are better positioned to offer your legal advice on what path will reward your application with approval more speedily rather than derail it.
Offers the best strategies to circumvent legal technicalities
Still bordering on expertise, immigration lawyers are well-versed in the best strategy they can deploy to avoid technical legal issues. Also, the experience they have garnered over years of practice and handling different cases will come in handy when they apply them towards seeing a successful outcome from your application.
Addresses all your immigration questions
Like most immigrants, it will not be uncommon for you to have questions about the processes involved, the status of your application, your fate upon approval or denial of your application, or even the scope of your particular case and what it means in the bigger picture.
These concerns are valid ones, that you can only rely on an immigration lawyer for, to supply you with current and accurate information. An immigration lawyer is the best person to assist you with any additional questions or concerns that you may have regarding your visa, green card, or citizenship application.
Final words
Navigating the process of an immigration application is no mean feat. Not only are there many opportunities to slip in filling out application forms, filing documents, or submitting them in the correct format, a lot of money and time is spent on the process.
To avoid delays and possible waste of financial resources, it is best to get an immigration lawyer who will guide you on how best to make any type of application.