What Happens at an Immigration Lawyer Consultation?

According to the American Immigration Council, immigrants compromised 14 percent of the US population.

While millions of people immigrate to the United States each year, the immigration process is still very difficult. Not only is it time-consuming, but there are a bunch of legal hoops you have to jump through.

For this reason, most people hire an immigration lawyer. Before you hire an immigration lawyer, you need to schedule an immigration lawyer consultation. What happens at an immigration lawyer consultation? Read this guide to find out.

What to Expect During an Immigration Lawyer Consultation

An immigration lawyer consultation gives you a chance to get to know your potential attorney and discuss the details of your case. The attorney will work to understand your case and how they can help you.

For example, if you received a letter from the government saying you’re facing removal proceedings, your attorney will review the letter and decide if it has any merit. Typically, the initial consultation lasts about an hour. Also, this consultation should be free of charge. If you find a lawyer who wants to charge for the initial consultation, look elsewhere.

Questions to Ask During the Consultation

The initial consultation isn’t just about your lawyer getting to know you and your case. It’s also a chance for you to get to know the lawyer and decide if they’re the right fit for you. Because these initial consultations are free, you shouldn’t be afraid to shop around for a bit until you find the right lawyer.

To figure out which immigration attorney is best for you, it’s a good idea to ask some questions. Here are some questions we suggest you ask:

• How much experience do you have dealing with cases like mine?
• Do you believe I have a strong case?
• What is your fee structure? (i.e, Do you charge a flat rate or on a contingency basis?)
• How do you communicate with your clients?
• Who else will be working on my case? (i.e. paralegals, interns, legal secretaries, etc.)
• How big is your law firm?
• What tasks will you handle for me?
• Do you practice any other areas of law?
• Where are you licensed? (Make sure you hire an attorney licensed in your state)

Asking these questions will help you get to know your attorney better.

Come Prepared

In addition to coming to your appointment with a set of questions, there are some other things you should do to prepare for your appointment.

First, make sure to bring all of the necessary documents regarding your case. Make copies of each document beforehand to ensure you can leave a set with your attorney.

Also, be prepared to be completely honest about the details of your case. Your lawyer will have an easier time preparing if they have a full picture of what’s going on. Lastly, make sure to bring something to take notes with. You’re going to go over a lot during the initial consultation, so you want to make sure you keep all of the information organized.

Immigration Lawyer Consultation: Time to Prepare

Now that you know what to expect at an immigration lawyer consultation, it’s time to get ready to meet your lawyer. The right immigration lawyer can help you win your case, so it’s important to take these consultation sessions seriously.

For more information regarding the immigration process, check back in with our blog.