Why Hire An Immigration Attorney

One of the main services a DC immigration attorney offers is the assessment of an individual’s immigration history, their interactions with immigration officials both in the United States and abroad, and the consideration of all possible options for temporary or permanent status in the United States, as well as the possibilities of putting already existing status at risk. There are times when this involves evaluating prior deportation orders or criminal records, as well as evaluating choices a person may have regarding changing from one lawful status to another. There are many cases where the end goal is obtaining a permanent status, such as legal permanent residency or citizenship, while in others, the end goal is simply to prevent or delay deportation.

Are Immigration Lawyers Helpful?

When a person is facing removal proceedings before an immigration judge, they will certainly need an immigration lawyer. Even when a person is not in any removal proceedings, an immigration lawyer may be necessary in many cases.  Many of the cases we see are from people who thought they were submitting a straightforward application and didn’t anticipate issues, but after filing on their own they received a denial or a request for evidence from USCIS.  At that point, once things become more complicated, attorneys can step in.

Sometimes an individual will already be aware that their immigration path is complicated, and they want to make sure that moving forward they are doing everything they can to avoid any trouble. People may also have lived undocumented in the United States for many years and wish to find out if there is some kind of legal option that they may have overlooked.

Immigration Issues Are Time-Conscious

Immigration law is generally extremely time-sensitive. The USCIS often has deadlines for submitting applications or renewing certain statuses such as TPS or asylum, and there are always deadlines for responding to evidence requests from USCIS or filing appeals with the Board of Immigration Appeals or other appellate bodies.

There may be deadlines for submitting documents to the court, filing briefs and motions, and for other related matters if an individual is in removal proceedings.

You cannot miss even the simplest of things, such as having your fingerprints taken for a pending application during removal proceedings.

If You Are Not Sure About Your Status, Contact an Attorney

Whenever you are concerned about your immigration status, it is important to consult with a lawyer because the consequences of a misstep can be very severe. A seemingly minor violation of immigration law or an immigration status can have a profound impact on your ability to remain in the United States and to ever reenter the United States, so it is better to identify any problem before you are placed into removal proceedings. You will want to ensure that you are aware of all of your options at the beginning of the process, especially if you might be able to terminate the case early.