Immigration Lawyer
What Is an Immigration Lawyer?
An immigration lawyer provides guidance and legal representation on immigration matters to individuals, families, and businesses. Although many immigration issues can be handled without the help of an attorney, some are complex and require legal advice and power of attorney representation.
This specialized lawyer uses their knowledge of and experience with immigration law to assist their clients with visa applications, green card petitions, asylum claims, deportation defense, and other issues.
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
The specific duties of an immigration lawyer (also called an immigration attorney) can vary according to their practice. However, here is a list of the typical services these legal professionals provide.
- Prepare and submit documents. This paperwork can include employment authorization, visa applications, green card petitions, and asylum claims.
- Represent clients. Immigration lawyers often attend hearings and interviews and represent their clients in other legal proceedings.
- Help with employment. Immigration lawyers might assist clients in securing their work visas or green cards and finding work.
- File appeals. An immigration lawyer might pursue legal challenges to unfavorable verdicts on behalf of their clients.
- Challenge deportation. This specialized attorney will help a client legally fight deportation. Also, parents facing deportation can grant power of attorney to a trusted adult for the care of their minor children.
- Guide naturalization and citizenship. An immigration attorney can help clients navigate legal matters related to naturalization and citizenship.
- Present asylum and refugee claims. Individuals seeking refugee or asylum status may use the services of an immigration lawyer to present their cases to authorities.
Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
If you have a straightforward immigration application, including meeting all the eligibility requirements for a green card or visa and having a clean criminal record, you may not need the services of an immigration lawyer.
However, in some cases, Immigration law and documentation can be challenging to navigate. Hiring an immigration lawyer can help individuals, families, and businesses avoid legal pitfalls.
Some examples of when hiring an immigration lawyer might be the best course of action include the following.
- Appealing a denied application
- Understanding and exploring your options when faced with deportation
- Waiting beyond the reasonable amount of time for an application response
- Minimizing the impact of a criminal record
- Dealing with health issues or incapacitation
- Facing a divorce or legal separation from a spouse
- Naming a guarantor or protecting assets
- Applying with a child approaching the age of 21
- Exploring alternative work visa options
- Revoking a power of attorney
- Authorizing power of attorney
- Regaining lost power of attorney
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Most immigration lawyers charge clients a flat fee for their services rather than an hourly rate. This fee typically includes consultation, retainer, and contingency fees. The amount an attorney charges depends on their experience level, the complexity of the case, the timeline of the case, and other factors such as the lawyer’s location.
According to USAFIS, a private organization established in 2001 to help people emigrate to the U.S., the average flat fees for immigration services include the following ranges.
- Green Card application - $700 to $3,000
- Visa application - $500 to $3,000
- US citizenship application - $400 to $1,800
- Deportation defense - $1,800 to $16,000
It is possible to minimize the cost by hiring an immigration lawyer for a specific service rather than the whole case. If it is a service the lawyer can perform in hours, not days, they may charge an hourly fee.
Helpful Resources:
What Is an Immigration Lawyer?
An immigration lawyer provides guidance and legal representation on immigration matters to individuals, families, and businesses. Although many immigration issues can be handled without the help of an attorney, some are complex and require legal advice and power of attorney representation.
This specialized lawyer uses their knowledge of and experience with immigration law to assist their clients with visa applications, green card petitions, asylum claims, deportation defense, and other issues.
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
The specific duties of an immigration lawyer (also called an immigration attorney) can vary according to their practice. However, here is a list of the typical services these legal professionals provide.
- Prepare and submit documents. This paperwork can include employment authorization, visa applications, green card petitions, and asylum claims.
- Represent clients. Immigration lawyers often attend hearings and interviews and represent their clients in other legal proceedings.
- Help with employment. Immigration lawyers might assist clients in securing their work visas or green cards and finding work.
- File appeals. An immigration lawyer might pursue legal challenges to unfavorable verdicts on behalf of their clients.
- Challenge deportation. This specialized attorney will help a client legally fight deportation. Also, parents facing deportation can grant power of attorney to a trusted adult for the care of their minor children.
- Guide naturalization and citizenship. An immigration attorney can help clients navigate legal matters related to naturalization and citizenship.
- Present asylum and refugee claims. Individuals seeking refugee or asylum status may use the services of an immigration lawyer to present their cases to authorities.
Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
If you have a straightforward immigration application, including meeting all the eligibility requirements for a green card or visa and having a clean criminal record, you may not need the services of an immigration lawyer.
However, in some cases, Immigration law and documentation can be challenging to navigate. Hiring an immigration lawyer can help individuals, families, and businesses avoid legal pitfalls.
Some examples of when hiring an immigration lawyer might be the best course of action include the following.
- Appealing a denied application
- Understanding and exploring your options when faced with deportation
- Waiting beyond the reasonable amount of time for an application response
- Minimizing the impact of a criminal record
- Dealing with health issues or incapacitation
- Facing a divorce or legal separation from a spouse
- Naming a guarantor or protecting assets
- Applying with a child approaching the age of 21
- Exploring alternative work visa options
- Revoking a power of attorney
- Authorizing power of attorney
- Regaining lost power of attorney
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
Most immigration lawyers charge clients a flat fee for their services rather than an hourly rate. This fee typically includes consultation, retainer, and contingency fees. The amount an attorney charges depends on their experience level, the complexity of the case, the timeline of the case, and other factors such as the lawyer’s location.
According to USAFIS, a private organization established in 2001 to help people emigrate to the U.S., the average flat fees for immigration services include the following ranges.
- Green Card application - $700 to $3,000
- Visa application - $500 to $3,000
- US citizenship application - $400 to $1,800
- Deportation defense - $1,800 to $16,000
It is possible to minimize the cost by hiring an immigration lawyer for a specific service rather than the whole case. If it is a service the lawyer can perform in hours, not days, they may charge an hourly fee.
Helpful Resources: