Immigration law is one of the most complicated areas of the law. Navigating immigration law successfully involves dealing with multiple sources of the law and multiple agencies. Often times clients, who normally have not dealt with immigration authorities, are misled into thinking that immigration law is all about filling out a few forms. In my experience, I have seen this misconception only cause problems for clients. DIYs are best suited for arts and crafts not your life.
The various stages of your immigration case and the agencies involved:
Prospective Immigrant: At this stage you are just exploring the possibility of either gaining permanent resident status in the United States or seeking a temporary visa to study, visit or work in the US. You have likely not had any interactions or dealings with any of the agencies that oversee immigration benefits. Consulting a lawyer at this stage and continuing to work with him/her at this stage can make all the difference in your immigration journey.
Applicant or Petitioner: Once you have filed any paperwork with USCIS, you are now either an applicant or a petitioner. You are someone who is an immediate relative of a US citizen, a business that wants to hire foreign workers, or have self-petitioned for an immigration benefit. You mostly deal with the Department of Labor and/or USCIS. If you are successful in presenting a strong case and meeting USCIS’s evidentiary criteria, you will be granted the benefit you are pursuing. If you are unsuccessful, you may have to leave the country within a short period of time, or you may be charged with serious immigration violations and placed in removal proceedings. This is why it is extremely important to work with a lawyer experienced in immigration law and adept at dealing with the various agencies.
In Removal Proceedings: You may end up in removal proceedings either after the denial of your immigration application or if you have violated your immigration status in anyway and are unlawfully present in the US. Even green card holders can be placed in removal proceedings if they are convicted of certain crimes. This is when you attend proceedings in immigration court where an immigration judge will preside over your case and issue a decision.
Because of the various agencies involved and different rules and procedures that govern each agency, working with an attorney from the time you are a prospective immigrant is crucial so you do not end up in removal proceedings. We can represent you regardless of which stage of your immigration journey you are on.