Articles & Newsletter

Please see my page on Facebook, Albany Immigration Lawyer, for articles
dealing with topics of interest in U.S. immigration law, and worldwide
immigration generally. I search for points of view that do not have the contentious
tone often heard in discussions of U.S. immigration reform.

Favor de consultar mi página en Facebook, Albany Immigration Lawyer. Presento artículos de varias fuentes que discuten derecho migratorio de los EE.UU, y acontecimientos mundial. Busco ensayos que carecen del el tono polémico que caracteriza muchas discusiones sobre la reforma migratoria.

Seven myths of do-it-yourselfers facing immigration law problems

Myth #1:  I can’t afford a lawyer.
Consider this: mistakes can be costly in money, time and heartache.

Before you decide if the cost of legal fees is too high, ask an immigration lawyer to estimate these things for you:

• the cost of all legal work and filing fees;
• the likelihood of success of your plans; and
• the legal problems you will have if your plan is unsuccessful.

This consultation at the beginning of your case will take 1-2 hours, and be far less costly than agreeing to legal advice for your entire case. After the consultation decide if legal fees are too high.

Here are other reasons why a basic consultation is valuable:

• No matter how long you remain in the United States, your mistakes and lies on official applications never disappear automatically. You must always ask the immigration service for a pardon.  Even if you gain the immigration status that you requested your lawful status can be taken from you if you gave false statements when applying.

• Candor about your likelihood of success is valuable because you may be in the grip of wishful thinking.

• Solving your immigration problems does not necessarily solve the problems of your spouse and children.

Myth #2: lawyers are dangerous because they will inform the immigration police of what I have done wrong, and the police will deport me.

Consider this: under law, your lawyer must not reveal confidential information that your share with him/her, except in unusual circumstances.

Some clients must confidentially reveal damaging things about themselves to paint a full picture of their situation. Under law, lawyers must preserve your
confidences, except they may reveal them to prevent harm to others or prevent you from committing a crime. Lawyers are not policemen.

Myth #3: I do not need a lawyer because they will pity me for having legal difficulties.

Consider this:  lawyers must respect their client if they are to give sound legal advice, and clients must feel respected to entertain the advice.

Lawyers know that their clients are sometimes uneasy when seeking legal help, and afford their clients respect and consideration. Respectful treatment includes not giving you orders; rather giving you advice.  And you will not consider a lawyer’s legal advice when you feel disrespected.

Do not tolerate haughty, impatient treatment from a lawyer; there are plenty of others to choose from.

Myth #4:  Any lawyer will do; I don’t need an immigration lawyer.

Consider this:   Immigration Law is complicated, and unfamiliar to many lawyers.

Immigration law is a legal specialty, having ins-and-outs not found in other fields of law. And legal concerns of non-citizens branch out to other fields of law, such as tax and social services. An immigration lawyer is the best one to see how your immigration status affects all aspects of your legal situation.

Any lawyer will give advice that improves your legal thinking, and warn you against making false statements to authority. And any lawyer is better than seeking legal advice from consultants, friends, or websites. But an immigration lawyer will serve you best.

Myth #5:  I don’t need a lawyer at all. I’ll get immigration law advice from a non-lawyer immigration advisor.

Consider this: non-lawyers have neither the training or ethical obligation of lawyers.

Lawyers have a doctoral degree in law, took a state examination to practice law, and must follow ethical rules. Non-lawyer advisors have no such training, or requirements. 

Unlike lawyers, advisors (sometimes called notarios) have no obligation to keep your confidences, or to treat your concerns with respect. They do not have the legal training to integrate immigration law with all your other legal questions.

And notarios charge high fees because they know you are not sure where else you can turn.  If you can afford notario fees then consider hiring a legitimate immigration lawyer.

Myth # 6: I don’t need a lawyer at all: I’ll take advice from my friends and relatives.

Consider this:  Taking advice from friends and family regarding immigration law is risky because they know about their own case and nothing else.

• They know what happened to their legal situation but may not know the legal reasons why. Therefore, they cannot soundly apply their experience to your case.

• They may be mistaken and you might not know that.

• Their genuine desire for your success does not mean they are well informed on the law.

Myth # 7: I don’t need anyone’s help:  I’ll find immigration information on the web.

Consider this:  The information on the web on immigration is too general and often difficult to understand.

• Some of it is legally reliable, but you will not know when it is not. This is especially true when using bulletin boards or chat rooms. And websites of immigration lawyers are sometimes written in a technical, legalistic manner difficult to understand.

• None of it is tailored to your situation.

When you do not understand what you are reading you can not question a website. When consulting with a lawyer, you can ask questions while discussing your case.