A century ago, coming into the United States meant enduring a couple of weeks of sea sickness and smelly socks onboard a trans-oceanic ship.
After you deboard the vessel, all you had to do was present some dodgy papers to the local customs representative (typically a sleepy guy with a cigarette hanging from his mouth and a stamp in his hand) and you’re in.
Possibly, you could also be subjected to a brief medical examination if there was a tuberculosis outbreak or an ongoing smallpox epidemic.
Generally, though, arriving in the US was a piece of cake matter.
Nowadays, immigration laws are considerably more complex.
What’s more, the government policies surrounding immigration constantly display signs of ambiguity with major walls being built on the southern border one year, and with everyone and their momma being beckoned in via the Rio Grande the next.
To navigate this confusing and, at times, dangerous constellation of immigration laws and practices in the modern-day US, getting a professional immigration lawyer is a must.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to find the best immigration lawyer for your case.
Tips for Finding the Right Deportation Lawyer
When it comes to lawyers, simply picking the first general practitioner that you come across may not be the wisest course of action.
A well-rounded deportation lawyer will have intimate knowledge of immigration laws and will have an easier time presenting your case before a judge. Also, the likelihood of success is considerably higher if you have an experienced lawyer representing you.
Here are a couple of tips for finding the best deportation lawyer for your case.
Find a referral
Possibly the best way to find a reliable immigration lawyer is to ask someone you know that has already gone through the entire process.
This could be your friend, a friend of a friend, your basketball buddy, a cousin, or anyone from your community that you trust enough to recommend you to an experienced lawyer.
The great thing about finding a lawyer this way is that you can gain immediate access to an experienced legal practitioner without having to go through a lengthy search process. Also, even if you do find a lawyer with a promising resume, getting to know the person and establishing trust can take ages.
Avoid general practitioners
General practitioners may be useful for tackling certain legal matters, but when it comes to issues as complex as immigration, it is essential to find someone with an intricate knowledge of this area of law.
The reason immigration law is such a complex issue is that the laws can change fairly rapidly.
With every new administration, depending on what party wins the elections, the immigration laws can become more stringent, or more lax. Staying on top of all of these rather fast and at times, unpredictable changes means having to concentrate on just one area of the law – and that’s exactly what immigration lawyers are all about.
Consider the experience levels
Once you’ve found a potential candidate, it’s essential to question them about their track record.
Hiring an immigration lawyer with a proven track record is a great way to ensure that you’ve maximized the likelihood of your case getting through successfully.
A seasoned immigration attorney will be more than happy to share his or her portfolio with you and tell you of the successful immigration cases that they’ve won for their clients.
Consider the costs
The costs of running an immigration case can quickly pile up.
Whether it’s filing documents, preparing statements, or other preparatory steps that might be necessary, determining the amount of money your case will set you back is crucial and should be done early.
Having a discussion with your lawyer about the costs is also important, so you have an idea of what the whole case is going to end up costing.
Conclusion
All in all, with the immigration laws getting more and more complex with each new administration, presenting your case before a judge is not such an easy task.
The better the immigration lawyer that you can hire, the more success you’re likely to have with your case. For this reason, taking your time to find the best possible immigration lawyer for your money is essential and not a task that you should hurry with.
