At a time when the administration of United States President Donald Trump has taken a draconian and almost adversarial approach to immigration policy, adequate legal representation has become a must for many foreigners going through visa, immigration, and asylum processes. Although the Immigration and Naturalization Act itself hasn’t been amended in recent years, the White House has introduced a series of executive orders and rules that are challenging for immigrants to deal with. Navigating the immigration process has become difficult, which is why it’s crucial to select the best San Diego immigration lawyer you can find. To help you choose an attorney who can successfully navigate today’s highly intricate immigration process, here are five questions you should ask before retaining legal counsel.
1. What Are Your Qualifications?
You can do some research on the attorney before asking this question. Doing so will serve as confirmation of his or her qualifications. First of all, the lawyer should be in good standing with the state bar association, and this is something you can check online. In California, you can visit www.calbar.ca.gov and scroll down to the “Look Up a Lawyer” section. Furthermore, you can also ask about membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
2. How Much Experience Do You Have with Cases Like Mine?
Let’s say you were admitted to the U.S. under the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program and have two misdemeanors on your record. The pertinent question in this case would be whether the law firm has handled TPS clients who were facing disqualification, deportation orders, or removal proceedings.
3. Do You Have Reviews & Testimonials I Can Evaluate?
Many immigration lawyers will be more than happy to show you handwritten letters from clients whose cases were resolved satisfactorily. You can also search online for reviews of law firms and specific testimonials from former clients who have no reservations about disclosing their identities. An even better testimonial would be an order from an appeals court that’s favorable to the client. In these types of cases, attorneys will be proud to discuss how they were able to prevail before a high court.
4. What Are My Chances of a Positive Outcome?
The answer to this question can never be guaranteed, and attorneys will tell you so because they cannot predict the future. Nonetheless, they can give you an idea of what the best outcome could be if certain strategies are applied. More importantly, seasoned lawyers can explain worst-case scenarios and factors that could hurt your legal status.
5. Can We Communicate in My Language?
If you’re still learning English and feel more comfortable speaking in your native language, ask if the law firm has lawyers, paralegals, or interpreters you can communicate with. This is a very important factor, so you may want to start with this question before asking about credentials.
Hiring a highly qualified immigration attorney is one of the best ways to make the immigration process less complicated and stressful. If you need reliable, high-quality legal advice about San Diego immigration issues, reach out to the immigration law experts at KS Visa Law. To schedule an appointment, call us today at 858-874-0711.
