Do you or someone you know want to move to the United States? Have you been researching the issue, but you're still confused by immigration law? Unlike some legal areas, it's almost essential for you to hire a lawyer. He or she will be able to make sure that you'll be able to stay, without having to worry about whether or not you'll be deported. But before you hire any lawyer, here are some questions to ask:
What type of visa is right for me? Because there are over two dozen types of immigrant and non-immigrant visas for the United States, it's no surprise if your head starts to spin after trying to research immigration law. The type of visa that you need will be determined by your country of origin and your current personal status. For example, although your ultimate goal may be to become a citizen of the United States, your lawyer may advise you to start by obtaining a much more temporary work permit visa or a visa for college & university students. To make things more confusing, you may not even need a visa at all, depending on what country you're from.
What fees will I expect to pay? Besides application fees for your visa, you'll obviously be expected to pay your attorney. Some attorneys may handle immigration law on an hourly-fee basis, while others will give you a flat rate to process certain types of visa applications for you. Make sure you clarify whether the flat rate includes the application fee or whether you'll be expected to pay that separately. Ask if you can have a printout with a breakdown of potential fees, so that you will be able to budget more accurately for all possible situations.
What happens if I get a ticket or am arrested? Even though few people actually plan on breaking the law, it can happen accidentally from time to time. If you're driving a vehicle and get pulled over for speeding, you may naturally be concerned about whether or not this will affect your visa status. A good immigration law attorney will be able to explain your rights to you, before you wind up in the wrong place at the wrong time. Although you will hopefully never have to put this knowledge to use, knowing what to do can help keep a small mistake from causing you to be deported and possibly banned from the country.
Share7 December 2015
When it comes to your personal rights, how much do you really understand the law. About ten years ago, I realized that I didn't really understand my rights when I was accused of something that I knew I didn't do. I could tell that I needed to work with a lawyer who had a better understanding of what I was up against, so I contacted a local team that could help. They were really incredible to work with, and I was impressed with how well they were able to fight the charges. This blog is here for anyone struggling with legal drama.