Immigration Lawyer or not

[takeitalready 0]

I spent three hours reading various forum posts (thank you everyone for sharing your experiences). The thing that for most people the whole process took 4-6 months. My question to anyone is that when you sent in your N-400 application (and that insane fee) did you do all the paperwork (and everything else that was required of you) yourself or was there a immigration lawyer that did some of the work for you?

I would like to just fill out the N-400 myself and send it and the money off (I live in Atlanta) to the Texas office. But if a immigration lawyer can speed up the process I would gladly get a lawyer. I've had my Permanent Resident card for for 8 years now, so just now I'm going to start the naturalization process (don't ask why I'm just now getting around to it).

Thank you in advance for everyone's answers.

[NigerLA 1]

I don't see how an immigration lawyer will speed up your process. I believe the processing times are the same for everyone regardless of whether you have an attorney or not. Filling out the paperwork is quite easy and you can save a lot of money on attorney fees.

[johndecka 0]

I spent three hours reading various forum posts (thank you everyone for sharing your experiences). The thing that for most people the whole process took 4-6 months. My question to anyone is that when you sent in your N-400 application (and that insane fee) did you do all the paperwork (and everything else that was required of you) yourself or was there a immigration lawyer that did some of the work for you?

I would like to just fill out the N-400 myself and send it and the money off (I live in Atlanta) to the Texas office. But if a immigration lawyer can speed up the process I would gladly get a lawyer. I've had my Permanent Resident card for for 8 years now, so just now I'm going to start the naturalization process (don't ask why I'm just now getting around to it).

Thank you in advance for everyone's answers.

I agree with NigerLA.

Dont waste ur money on the LAwyer for something u could do

[Stella08 0]

I agree with NigerLA and johndecka.

Plus, nobody cares as much about your case as you do and nobody puts as much effort into it. Not even a high-paid lawyer. And so far I've never seen a case where a lawyer could speed up the process. But I've read about cases where a lawyer gave the wrong advice and screwed things up. So, unless your case has some special circumstances where legal advice and representation are needed, I would save the money for a lawyer.

[spikeyflip 0]

I did the paperwork myself. I only consulted a lawyer (it was a free service through my work) concerning a past issue. As others have mentioned unless you have some matters that might go against you in the process, you might as well save your money.

[NickD 202]

Having a good IA myself that I respected and at the time, not that long ago, N-400 processing was over 18 months, he encouraged me to file the N-400 ourselves, said wasn't a thing he could do to expedite. His words of advice was to triple check the application and load them down with evidence. With the new administrator, forgot his name already, we were done in a little over five months. He did help us with some of those ambiguous questions at no charge, same questions, everyone else is having problems with.

"

Emilio Gonzalez, the immigration official who promised to bring an ethos of corporate efficiency to the immigration bureaucracy but ran into difficulties has resigned.

From: USCIS Director Emilio T. González

Date: March 13, 2008

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

I have recently informed the White House and Secretary Chertoff of my decision to resign as Director, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services effective April 18, 2008.

This was an extremely difficult decision for me but one that I had to make. Since 1999, due to my professional commitments and requirements, I have led a part-time family life. The time has now come for me to return to being a full-time husband and father. After taking my family on a well-deserved vacation, I will pursue other opportunities in south Florida.

I am very proud of the many accomplishments achieved by USCIS over the past two years. Those accomplishments are the result of the tireless energy and dedication of our 17,000 government employees and contractors. Together we have taken this agency to new heights. Your commitment to the security of the United States is unparalleled and I am honored to have served as your Director.

I will continue to lead USCIS until my final day in office. In the meantime, I look forward to thanking as many of you as possible for your service, support and friendship.

May God bless you and your families and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Emilio T. González"

Actually it was the action of the immigration attorneys association to force him to resign. Just in time for us, I do not share Emilios' high opinion of hisself, our I-751 processing was a disaster causing severe stress in my family with a lot of extra work and expense.

Jonathan “Jock” Scharfen was the current acting director, his signature is on my wife's certificate, an okay guy in my book, but with Ombama taking office today, not sure if he will keep that job or if there will be someone else. But that is what makes the difference in the processing time.

Having a decent director makes a big difference.

[takeitalready 0]

Thank you for all your quick responses, looks like I'll do it myself.

I don't have any special circumstances (or anything that would require a lawyer).

Once again thank you to everyone.