Immigration Law

If you are an alien living in the United States and hoping to become a resident, you may find it helpful to hire an immigration attorney in your area. Using a good lawyer can eliminate the stress of filing your application, so you should be selective about whom you choose to work with.

The U.S. immigration system is complex, based on laws and regulations from multiple government agencies. If you live in New York City, an immigration attorney from New York can help you correctly apply for immigrant status. Your immigration lawyer will also help you prepare your case and represent your petition to the administrative agency that will be reviewing it. Not only will your attorney explain why your situation meets the stipulations of the law, he or she will be able to call upon other resources if any problems arise and will help you resolve the issue or prepare for an appeal.

While advice about filing your application is readily available online, every case is individual. General advice may not be best suited to your needs. Be especially wary of immigration consultants, as they are not regulated. You need to exercise equal caution when choosing a lawyer. Just because the attorney has a license does not mean he or she is competent or experienced.

Find out if your immigration lawyer in New York is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), an affiliated organization of the American Bar Association. AILA membership is a good indication that the lawyer has had extensive experience in immigration law. Having good legal representation can be extremely helpful–and almost necessary–when you present your petition, so it’s important that you find someone qualified and experienced.