Plattsburgh Immigration Attorneys & Lawyers

Why Hire an Immigration Lawyer?

Many Americans are confident they can tackle any immigration matters without legal representation. They argue that the process is sure to be straightforward since there is no official requirement to use an attorney's services.
But consider this: More than two-thirds of all applications and petitions filed without legal counsel are rejected, according to figures from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services. This occurs because immigration law is one of the most complicated facets of law in this country.

That means the odds are against a successful immigration application, whether you are:

• An undocumented immigrant wanting to stay legally in Plattsburgh.
• An American resident wanting to bring a foreign romantic partner or family member to live in Plattsburgh.
• A foreign national wanting to pursue work opportunities in Plattsburgh.
• A Plattsburgh business owner wanting to employ workers living overseas.

Many people feel all immigration lawyers do is complete immigration paperwork. They can certainly help you with this, but they also perform many other tasks, including:

• Identifying the correct forms and documents for your case.
• Reviewing the facts of your case and planning the right legal path.
• Helping you gather the right kinds of evidence to prove your case.
• Identifying potential challenges in your case and taking proactive steps to minimize their impact.
• Explaining anything that you find confusing during the process.
• Advising you of any changes to immigration law that occur during your case and how they will impact you.
• Advocating on your behalf to the Citizenship and Immigration Services arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of State, and U.S. consulates around the world as required.
• Helping you lodge an appeal and give you the best chance of overturning any unfavorable decision.

The assistance a top immigration attorney can provide with all these processes is invaluable.

How to Find the Best Immigration Lawyer in Plattsburgh

You should make sure any potential immigration lawyer is licensed to practice in New York State. Typically, licensed lawyers in Plattsburgh are members of the New York State Bar. They must become a member within three years of passing the New York Bar Exam, which they can take after graduating from an American Bar Association-approved law school.

Members of the New York State Bar must continue their education every year to maintain their license. This means your licensed immigration attorney will be familiar with the latest immigration policies that may affect your application.

Look for lawyers and law firms in Plattsburgh that specialize in immigration and nationality law. These attorneys will have the expert knowledge of immigration law you need throughout your case. You may also like to find a lawyer with a more narrow specialization matching your needs, such as family immigration or business immigration.

You should also confirm that your lawyer is of good standing in Plattsburgh. References and the recommendations of friends, family members, and reviews on the internet can be helpful.

Make sure you also check the Attorney Grievance Committee for the Third Judicial Department website. This page has a searchable database of New York attorneys and their disciplinary history. The Executive Office for Immigration Review also lists disciplined attorneys practicing immigration law.

While everyone wants a favorable outcome, you should be wary of lawyers that make big promises to you. Gaining residency is challenging, and the top immigration lawyers understand this. You want a lawyer who can be honest enough with you to identify challenges and suggest ways these can be overcome.

Don't overestimate the value of your gut instinct when making a decision. You can get a great sense of how attorneys conduct themselves and how they'd be to work with when you meet them. Listen to your sixth sense, and you're likely to make the right decision.

Questions for an Immigration Lawyer

• What sort of experience in immigration law do you have?
• What types of immigration cases do you usually take?
• What will you do to help me?
• What documents do you need me to gather for you?
• How do you think we should approach my case?
• How long do you think it will take to resolve my case?
• What do you think my chances of success are?
• What potential problems can you see with my case?
• How would you like to communicate with me?
• How often can I expect updates about my case?
• What is your fee structure? How much can I expect to pay in total?
• Will you be the only one handling my case?
• Do you speak my native language?

No matter how simple or complex your immigration case is, Plattsburgh's best immigration lawyers can make the process easier for you and give you the best chance of a positive outcome.