- Make sure they are an attorney and not merely a notario or consultant, and that the attorney is a member in good standing with their state bar.
- Check them out on-line. Do they have good reviews from others in the community? Are other clients pleased with the attorney’s work on their case?
- See if the attorney has experience with your particular type of case. If you are facing deportation, but your lawyer never goes to Immigration Court, they may be a great attorney but might not be the best fit for your case as you would probably be better represented by someone who knows exactly how the complicated removal process works.
- Be wary of an attorney who gives you a guarantee that your case will be approved. Not only is this unethical for an attorney to do, but the success of your case can’t be guaranteed because there will always be factors outside of the control of all parties.
- Meet them in person before you hire them. This should give you a feeling of confidence that the lawyer is the right person to handle your particular case. Immigration cases can take many years to resolve. You will likely have a relationship with your lawyer for a long time, so you should feel confident about their ability to handle your case from the beginning of the relationship.
- Steer clear of attorneys who only “dabble” in immigration. Immigration laws are complex and change often. Your attorney should develop the strategy of your case from the first consultation. Denial of a case can have extreme consequences and be very expensive to correct. You don’t want an attorney learning how to do immigration law by using your case for practice.
- You get what you pay for. On-line immigration service providers may be less expensive than hiring an attorney, but will you ever meet and confer with the person working on your case? Will you be working with your legal representative to develop a tailored strategy for your unique case? Will your case be viewed as just another file, or will the advocate representing you value the fact that the future of your family depend on the outcome of your case? What if you need to go to an interview, will the on-line service provide someone to go to the interview with you? Immigration cases are complex and time consuming. A good immigration attorney will not be cheap, but they will be well worth the investment into your future and may save you money in the long run by avoiding costly mistakes.
- If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Under the current administration, the practice of immigration law is becoming more complicated. It is becoming increasingly difficult for people to immigrate to the U.S. and more likely that persons without immigration status will find themselves in removal proceedings and facing deportation. There are many unexpected hurdles and challenges occurring more and more frequently in what used to be somewhat routine cases. If an attorney says your case is a “piece of cake” and can be fixed with “no problem,” they may be telling you what they think you want to hear, as opposed to the truth.
- Hire a lawyer with a great team. How you are treated from the very beginning by a lawyer’s staff matters because it demonstrates how you are likely to be treated throughout the life of your case with that law firm. You should feel that your case is a priority, that your calls will be returned, your questions will be answered, and you should feel comfortable and accepted in the presence of the firm’s staff.
- 10.Last but not least, be honest with your attorney. Your lawyer can only effectively represent you if they know all of the factors of your case. Don’t be embarrassed or shy, your lawyer must keep your information confidential and needs to have their questions answered truthfully so they can determine if it is in your best interest to take a particular action in your case.
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