Applying for an immigrant visa, a green card, is an exciting but unfortunately complicated and all-too-often frustrating process. If you are considering or currently applying for an immigrant visa, you may wonder, What can an immigration lawyer do for you?
An immigration lawyer is an invaluable asset, helping clients understand their options, avoid mistakes, and improve their chances of success.
EMP Law has a long history of defending clients against powerful opponents in employment law, immigration law, workers’ compensation, disability and benefits, and civil rights cases. We understand the stakes are high, and our team is here to guide you through the immigration process.
What Is an Immigrant Visa?
Immigrant visas, also called green cards, allow non-U.S. citizens to permanently live and work in the U.S. as lawful permanent residents (LPRs). Their counterparts, nonimmigrant visas, are temporary visas that allow noncitizens to travel to the U.S. for specific purposes and depart when the visa expires.
Common types of immigrant visas include:
- Family-based visas—for relatives of U.S. citizens and LPRs, including spouses, parents, children, and certain other family members;
- Employment-based visas—for individuals who have specific qualifications, skills, or a U.S. employer sponsor;
- Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)—for certain groups, such as religious workers, Afghan and Iraqi interpreters who have worked for the U.S. government, and minors in the U.S. abandoned, abused, or neglected by one or both parents; and
- Diversity Immigrant Visas (DVs)—for individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration who win the Diversity Visa Lottery.
Each of these categories has specific requirements and processes, making the services of an immigration lawyer invaluable.
What Do Immigration Attorneys Do?
Immigration lawyers help individuals navigate the U.S. immigration system, providing crucial guidance, support, and advocacy throughout the visa application process. What do immigration attorneys do, specifically? Our services vary depending on your needs, but may include:
- Assessing your eligibility for various immigrant visas and advising on the best path to permanent residency;
- Preparing and filing visa applications and supporting documents, ensuring you submit all required forms and evidence;
- Helping clients avoid common mistakes that can result in delays or denials, such as incomplete forms, missing evidence, or incorrect fee payments;
- Representing clients in immigration court and during interviews with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or consular officials;
- Providing advice about strategies to prevent removal from the U.S.; and
- Advising on family reunification, humanitarian relief, and special immigration programs, including options for asylum seekers and victims of human trafficking.
These services can help you ensure you apply for the visa that best fits your circumstances, follow the correct processes, and provide the evidence you need.
How Do Immigration Lawyers Help Immigrants?
Do immigration lawyers help immigrants enough to justify the cost? Hiring an immigration lawyer often significantly improves your chances of success, along with saving you stress, confusion, and time. Immigration lawyers offer:
- Knowledge and experience. Immigration lawyers understand the complex laws, regulations, and procedures that govern the U.S. immigration system, including federal statutes, administrative guidelines, and international treaties. We also have experience with how the system actually works, which is not always how it is supposed to work.
- Personalized guidance. We provide tailored advice based on how the law applies to your unique circumstances, ensuring you pursue the most appropriate visa option for your situation.
- Reduced stress and risk. An attorney can help you avoid errors, reduce processing times, and respond effectively to government requests for evidence (RFEs).
- Support in difficult situations. Immigration lawyers provide critical support in cases involving humanitarian crises, deportation defense, or family separations, which can be emotionally and legally complex.
- Advocacy and representation. We advocate on your behalf, helping you protect your rights and present your case effectively to immigration authorities.
The right legal support can mean the difference between success and a prolonged, stressful process.
Trust EMP Law to Guide You Through the Immigration Process
EMP Law can provide the guidance and support you need if you or a loved one is seeking an immigrant visa. We have a history of helping clients overcome challenging legal situations, and we understand the importance of securing a stable future in the United States.
We are dedicated to helping you pursue immigration benefits while protecting your rights in the face of the complex U.S. immigration system. Contact EMP Law today to schedule a consultation and learn how we can assist you in your immigration journey.
Michael provides compassionate, diligent, and creative legal services that are tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. His experience relating to clients from diverse backgrounds makes him well suited for representing his clients across a broad range of legal areas. He practices in the areas of employment law and family law, and is experienced in criminal law.
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