How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost? [2023]

Hiring an immigration lawyer can provide numerous benefits. They can assist with visa applications, green card applications, and citizenship applications, among other things. They can also help individuals facing deportation or other immigration-related issues. It is important to note that hiring an immigration lawyer can be expensive, with fees ranging from several thousand to tens of thousands. However, non-profit organizations and legal aid societies can provide low-cost or free legal assistance to low-income individuals and families.

How To Get a Copy of Your Immigration File

Created by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) in April 1944, A-Files (Immigration Files) contain all records of any active case of a person not yet naturalized. Thanks to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), you can request these records to ensure that your information is clear and consistent as you navigate the immigration process. Throughout this article, we will discuss what situations these files can aid, which agencies and procedures should be followed, and finally, provide resources to help you along the way. A successful FOIA request can help to secure your file, which can provide critical documents for obtaining the desired outcome in your U.S. immigration case.

What Happens if I Overstay My Visa?

According to the Department of Homeland Security, approximately 684,500 people overstayed their visas, constituting a substantial portion of the authorized population residing in the country. If you are one of these individuals facing the reality of an overstayed visa, know that you are not alone, and there are steps you can take to address your situation and navigate the path forward. 

What Is a Temporary Green Card?

A temporary green card, also known as conditional residence, is similar to a regular green card visa that allows a person to work and live in the United States but comes with strict stipulations. Unlike a regular green card, a temporary card expires within two years of issue. After the two-year mark, the temporary green card holder is expected to “remove the conditions” and update their status to a permanent resident with a ten-year green card. 

How To Apply for a K-1 Visa

If you are engaged to a U.S. citizen and want to travel to the United States to marry them, you may be eligible for a nonimmigrant K-1 visa. You can apply for this visa by submitting Form I-129 and following the necessary procedures. Some stipulations apply to qualify for a K-1 visa. Both the U.S. citizen and the K-1 visa applicant must be free to legally marry at the time the petition is filed and throughout the process. The marriage must be legal within the U.S. state where the marriage will take place. Same-sex couples are eligible for a K-1 visa. 

Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer for U.S. Citizenship?

Securing citizenship can be complicated and time-consuming for those seeking to become naturalized citizens. Numerous obstacles, from language barriers to legal complexities, can hinder achieving this important goal. As a result, immigration lawyers have become even more critical in helping individuals achieve their citizenship goals.

Who Is Considered an Undocumented Immigrant?

This article will explore the realities undocumented immigrants face, including what they can and cannot do in the country. If we acknowledge the presence of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., we can strive towards building a fair and equal society that values and appreciates everyone's contributions, regardless of their legal status.

How to Prepare for Citizenship Interviews with USCIS

The interview ensures that the answers provided are consistent with your application. If your consultation is in the United States, your interviewer will be a USCIS immigration officer. If your interview is outside the United States, your interviewer will be a consular officer trained for your application type. According to the USCIS naturalization exam pass rate, 96.1% of all applicants passed the naturalization test in 2021. Almost 90% of applicants passed it during the initial interview, and the other 6% passed a re-exam. 

What Happens if You Lie on an Immigration Application?

In this article, we will delve into what happens if an individual is found to have falsified information on an immigration application or during a USCIS interview, including the potential legal and immigration-related consequences.

How To Handle a Request for Evidence From USCIS

Many prospective immigrants will receive a request for evidence (RFE) from USCIS during their application process. RFEs are standard practice in the immigration process, especially given the amount of information the agency must review. Understanding the three types of responses you can submit, the necessary evidence to include, and the components to a successful RFE response will significantly improve your chances of approval. The following article will detail what to expect in an RFE and how to respond effectively, so your application can continue processing. 

How to Obtain Substitute Documents for Immigration Applications

Substitute documents play a crucial role in immigration applications, providing alternative evidence when original documents are unavailable. In the United States, where immigration is significant, substitute documents help individuals overcome challenges in presenting required verification. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2020, around 44.9 million immigrants resided in the U.S., accounting for approximately 13.7% of the total population.

How To Translate Non-English Immigration Documents

Accurate translations are essential to ensure that immigration authorities can understand and evaluate an applicant's background and qualifications. Professional translators play a vital role in facilitating this by rendering documents from various languages into English while maintaining the original content and format. By providing certified translations, individuals can comply with immigration requirements, presenting their documents accurately and meeting the language standards set forth by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or other relevant agencies.

Immigration Filing Fees | Everything You Need to Know [2023]

There are more than 44 million immigrants currently living in the United States. Over half of these folks will inevitably go through the green card or naturalization process to achieve U.S. citizenship, lowering unemployment and crime rates alike. The process of becoming a U.S. citizen is challenging and requires preparing financially to apply, whether with legal representation or not.

Who Is Inadmissible to the United States?

The United States, renowned as a melting pot of cultures and a land of opportunity, has long been a sought-after destination for individuals worldwide. According to the Migration Policy Institute, as of 2021, immigrants comprised 13.6 percent of the total U.S. population. However, only some are granted entry into the country. Inadmissibility, based on various grounds established by U.S. immigration law, can pose a significant hurdle for aspiring immigrants. Thankfully, there are provisions in place that allow individuals otherwise deemed inadmissible to request a waiver, offering a pathway to overcome these challenges. 

How Do I Get a Visa if My Country Doesn’t Have an American Embassy?

The United States has established diplomatic relations in over 190 countries worldwide, but some agencies have temporarily suspended or reduced their service offerings due to the pandemic. Certain U.S. Consulates and Embassies were forced to adjust their operating capabilities due to local country regulations and conditions during COVID-19. If you reside in a country where the U.S. does not have a diplomatic presence, there are other U.S. Embassies or Consulates that can assist in processing your visa. 

Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer for a Green Card?

If you’re considering representing yourself through the green card process, don’t rely on the advice of USCIS officers, as they’re not experts or even responsible for giving wrong information to applicants. It is advisable to consult an immigration attorney for their opinion before submitting any documentation. Any mistake on your visa is grounds for rejection. 

The Birmingham Police Department can be reached at (205) 328-9311 for non-emergencies.

Please note that police reports are only released in person to authorized parties. Call the Birmingham Police Records Division at (205) 254-6308 to inquire if the report you need is available for release. You can get the report in person at 1710 1st Avenue, North Birmingham, AL 35203. Incident, accident, and offense report copies cost $5 each.

You can be eligible for naturalization after five years of permanent residency status. If you obtained your residency through marriage with a U.S. citizen, you are eligible to apply after three years. It is advisable to consult with an immigration lawyer in Birmingham before filing your application. They can help look into factors that might affect your naturalization process, like taxes and criminal history.

If you have an F-1 or student visa, you are allowed to bring your spouse and unmarried children below 21 years of age to the U.S. You can obtain an F-2 visa for your dependents by filing Form I-20A-B. If you are already in Birmingham and plan to have your spouse and child join you later, they are the ones who need to file Form I-20A-B. Note that your family cannot work in the U.S. on an F-2 visa.

If you are a U.S. citizen over 21 years of age, you can file a petition for your non-citizen fiancé, spouse, children, parents, and siblings. If you are under 21 years old, you can only petition for your fiancé, spouse, and children to join you in Birmingham. Those with permanent residency status can petition for their spouse and unmarried children.

Green card holders and permanent residents of more than five years aged over 18 years are eligible to apply for naturalization in Birmingham. The applicant must pass a background check, prove their good moral character, speak and read English, and have basic knowledge of U.S. civics, history, and government operation. The naturalization applicant must also demonstrate their loyalty to the U.S. Constitution.

Yes. Asylees, those granted asylum, can petition for their spouse or children under 21 years old who are also victims of persecution or at risk of being persecuted. The asylee must file the petition for the family members within two years of getting asylum. An immigration lawyer in Birmingham can provide guidance on local procedures for this situation.

Immigration lawyers help individuals and businesses communicate with authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration lawyers assist foreign nationals who are living or working in the United States or want to enter the country legally. They provide legal advice, prepare visa and green card applications, and represent clients in administrative hearings and immigration courts. They also represent individuals who are facing legal challenges such as detention or deportation.

Immigration attorney fees vary significantly based on the specific services a client needs, the attorney’s experience, and the geographic region. Lawyers in this field usually charge between $150 to $350 per hour, plus fees for filing various kinds of paperwork. Services such as form filing, green card applications, and naturalization applications can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars including attorney fees and filing fees. For employment-related visas or green cards, the employer may be responsible for a portion of that cost. The cost of more complex situations such as asylum applications and deportation defense can range from $1,000 to nearly $10,000.

Yes, while immigration attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice, they can present cases in federal courts at all levels. They also handle circuit court and Supreme Court complaints after cases have been reviewed by the Board of Immigration Appeals—the highest administrative body within the immigration system.

Hiring an immigration attorney is generally a smart decision. Effective legal representation can save time, prevent costly mistakes, and help clients navigate complicated filing processes and deadlines. Lawyers can provide accurate, personalized advice consistent with current regulations. They can prepare effective applications and help clients&nbsp; avoid application rejections or requests for additional information. Immigration attorneys help clients prepare for interviews, apply for waivers, and overcome various legal barriers. Immigration laws are notoriously complex and subject to change, and government agencies are favoring detention and deportation increasingly, which can make self representation risky.

Initial meetings give prospective clients an opportunity to screen immigration attorneys and determine if an attorney can meet their needs. You should assess the lawyer’s level of experience as well as their history handling similar cases. Here are some useful questions to ask:<ul><li>How can you help with my case?</li><li>What’s the best strategy in this case?</li><li>Can you check my immigration status?</li><li>How much will these services cost?</li><li>What is the best way to reach my immigration case manager?</li><li>What happens if I am unable to pay?</li><li>What is the next step?</li></ul>

Yes, immigration attorneys can petition Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release detainees and reunite children with their parents. In recent years, officials have separated thousands of migrant and asylum-seeking children from their parents, especially at border crossings. Attorneys affiliated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the American Immigration Council are actively fighting government policies through the Immigration Justice Campaign. In some cases, pro bono legal services are available to families who have been affected by parent-children separation.

Generally speaking, individuals who are visiting the United States for more than 90 days or are arriving from a non-waiver country must apply for a visa or green card. Visas enable individuals to remain in the United States temporarily for specific activities, such as studying, working, or traveling. Foreign nationals, including relatives of permanent residents and citizens, who wish to live in the United States permanently, must apply for a green card. Usually, travelers must secure documents at a foreign consulate before traveling to the United States. An immigration attorney can provide specific advice regarding different types of visas and eligibility categories, as well as updates on <a href="https://www.uscis.gov/">immigration policy</a> during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In many cases, individuals can secure a visa or green card without a lawyer’s assistance. However, there are instances where legal representation is valuable. Businesses that would like to sponsor foreign workers should generally consult an immigration attorney to ensure that they’re complying with all employment laws. Individuals may need help from an attorney when facing bureaucratic delays, burdensome paperwork, deportation proceedings, or challenges related to previous violations or financial instability. Lawyers can step in any time that the process becomes too complex for an individual to handle independently.

No. Individuals must be legal immigrants to apply for federal welfare benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and affordable health insurance. Eligibility depends on the immigrant’s status. For example, refugees are generally eligible for benefits, while other legal immigrants must be long-term residents with at least 10 years of work history. An attorney can provide more information and assist with the application process.

Yes, it’s possible to change representation during an immigration case, especially if the attorney is inefficient or uncommunicative. However, immigration is a slow process, and your immigration attorney may not be responsible for the delays. Regardless of the reason for switching, it’s essential to notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that communications are forwarded to the correct representative. Individuals are also encouraged to report scams.

Legal representation isn’t required to apply for a green card, but it’s helpful in many cases. The application process can be complicated, and you may fall into more than one eligibility category. Lawyers can determine which option will be the fastest, easiest, or cheapest. They can also help if you are facing challenges due to a criminal record or previous immigration violations.

An attorney is a vital ally for immigrants who are starting a new life in the United States. These professionals can provide personalized advice, explain potential options, and help you choose the best course of action. In addition to guiding clients through the complex process of applying for a visa or green card, they help immigrants understand relevant rules and regulations, find employment opportunities, and proceed on the path toward achieving long-term goals, such as citizenship. Most importantly, qualified immigration attorneys can help clients avoid costly mistakes that may result in delays or denials.