Being an immigrant comes with extra baggage making it difficult for you to fit in your new haven. An immigration lawyer can make all the difference to your case by assisting you in the process of employment, human relations staff interaction, and seeking employment opportunities.
One of the largest problems in the world is the existence of fraudulent lawyers where an individual ends up becoming a victim of immigration scams. It happens too often as people increasingly become more desperate to settle in rich countries. Hence, becoming vulnerable to immigration scams.
Here are some tips to know if an immigration lawyer is genuine.
How can you know if your lawyer is real?
- Research the lawyer.
Know a lot of information about your lawyer online: verify if he or she is listed as a member of a state bar association and the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association (AILA). All lawyers are required to register with the bar association in each state where they practice. Moreover, the AILA is a valuable resource for immigration lawyers and the public.
- Know what is unethical.
If your lawyer suggests that you do something questionable like lying on an application or to a USCIS officer by bribing an immigration authority – it is illegal and unethical. If you are caught going along with this scheme, you are more likely to get into greater trouble than the lawyer. You will give your name a negative trademark, potentially making you ineligible for any future visas or green cards.
How can you protect yourself?
- Be cynical of unrealistic goals.
Any lawyer that assures a 100% success rate with a perfect outcome may need close monitoring.
- Compare advice by having second opinions.
Having second opinions from other lawyers will give you some basis for comparison to fully understand the path that you will partake.
- Document everything.
With every signatory you give to a contract or a file, always have your own copy. This might help you in future scenarios.
- It is better to ask now.
A questionable trait of a lawyer may be not explaining how the process works or why you are eligible in the first place. Best to ask all possible questions now rather than regret it in the end.
When to get help?
In the United States, if you think you’re a victim of a fake immigration lawyer, you should immediately report it to both your state authorities and the Federal Trade Commission.
Reporting an immigration scam will not affect your application and can often be done anonymously.
Conclusion
As the old saying goes, if something is too good to be true, it probably is. A bad immigration lawyer can overcharge you, unable to reach your demands, and damage your case in the worst possible way. It is always better to be extra careful with your decisions and in choosing the right immigration lawyer.