Recommendations on Attorneys for Spouse Immigrant Petition

[Mesh 0]

Hi everyone,

I am a US citizen (currently in the US) married to Australian citzen who is currently abroad. I have been combing websites trying to find a quality immigration attorney in the NY area who handles family-related immigrant petitions so that I can sponsor him coming here. I have come across a few people who are willing to help, but after all the horror stories you hear about things gone wrong, I was just really hoping to find someone that can be vouched for. I am not looking for a bargain, just ssomeone who is going to provide solid counsel (i want to do everything the legal away and completely above board) and someone I can trust with something so important (bringing me and my cherished one together again!).

Does anyone have any recommendations for an attorney (preferably in the NY area) they could share?

Much appreciated!!

[hikergirl 277]

Honestly, if there are no weird issues, you are better off saving time and the money and doing it yourself.

Look at the guides at the top of the page here and it will give you what you need to get started.

There are people here who are very knowledgeable and willing to help you with any questions.

[Golden Gate 530]

I agree with Hikergirl. It really isn't difficult to petition. You are the one who will have to collect all the required papers, while the attorney will merely send them off, but at a very hefty price. Most of us on Visa Journey have done it all ourselves, and been successful. Also, this way, you will know exactly what is going on, because you will be doing it yourself. I did it, I petitioned my fiance from a high-fraud country, and now he has been approved. It really didn't take a huge amount of effort. Just look at the guides, and read peoples' posts here, and you will find your way.

[Golden Gate 530]

I agree with Hikergirl. It really isn't difficult to petition. You are the one who will have to collect all the required papers, while the attorney will merely send them off, but at a very hefty price. Most of us on Visa Journey have done it all ourselves, and been successful. Also, this way, you will know exactly what is going on, because you will be doing it yourself. I did it, I petitioned my fiance from a high-fraud country, and now he has been approved. It really didn't take a huge amount of effort. Just look at the guides, and read peoples' posts here, and you will find your way.

[Ineedhelp811 0]

Hi everyone,

I am a US citizen (currently in the US) married to Australian citzen who is currently abroad. I have been combing websites trying to find a quality immigration attorney in the NY area who handles family-related immigrant petitions so that I can sponsor him coming here. I have come across a few people who are willing to help, but after all the horror stories you hear about things gone wrong, I was just really hoping to find someone that can be vouched for. I am not looking for a bargain, just ssomeone who is going to provide solid counsel (i want to do everything the legal away and completely above board) and someone I can trust with something so important (bringing me and my cherished one together again!).

Does anyone have any recommendations for an attorney (preferably in the NY area) they could share?

Much appreciated!!

Hey Gianna,

I know how stressful this situation can be. But honestly, this whole immigration thing is not so complicated as people make it sound. I came to the US as an International Student from Brazil and upon my graduation I ended up getting married and I did this whole immigration thing all by myself. It will cost you lots and lots of money though I am assuming you are willing to pay for it. I did mine from changing my status to becoming a citizen. Now, I am back with immigration again applying for my mom to move up here... Basically what you need to do is go to USCIS.GOV and look for a form called I-130. You have to fill out that form yourself with yours and some of his information. You need to send copies of documents showing your relationship with the applicant, your husband. Here is what I sent to USCIS. I sent copies of all my documents such as birth certificate, certificate of naturalization (in your case your birth certificate will prove you were born in the USA), a copy of my passport, and a check for the fee. In your situation you also need to include a copy of your marriage certificate.

Once that's finished, you mail it to the address that is on the instructions according to where you live in the US. After that, they will send you a notification saying they have received all the information and that's when the process starts. It will take just about 4 months for them to give you a process number. From there they will let you know each step you need to make toward the end of this immigration madness. I have a friend from Oklahoma who just brought his wife from Brazil to the USA and he did it all by himself. You can definitely do it and you can save lots of money too....

Let me know if you have any questions. I am on the same boat as you are.. I am taking one step at a time. Attorney is awesome to but it will be costly in the long run...

[GnBnL 50]

DIY!!!! don't use a lawyer, so not necessary as this sounds like a pretty typical situation. YOu can do it using all the resources here and honestly you're better off! As I've said before, a lawyer could not care less whether you get your visa or not since they will have been paid either way. Save yourself the money and the trouble and get help from all of us here! ask a million questions, and I'm pretty sure there's not a single one you could ask you won't get an answer to. Good luck to you!

[Ryan H 3,812]

Once that's finished, you mail it to the address that is on the instructions according to where you live in the US.

The address on the instructions for the I-130 is the same, the Chicago lockbox facility. Regardless of where a petitioner resides, the I-130 is sent to this lockbox facility.

OP:

If there are no issues in your background or your spouse's background that could complicate the process, then all an attorney will do for you is fill in and mail the forms. You still have to complete them and you still have to gather them yourself.

Whether or not you choose to hire an attorney is yours and your alone. However, I will suggest to you that you ask yourself these questions:

"Am I comfortable filling out all the required forms?"

"Are there any issues that could arise that would create complications during this process?"

Best wishes to you!

[amyandjorge 76]

I thought it would be a lot more complicated of a process than it was, I think working with an attorney actually slowed the process down for us. We have a pretty straightforward case though. Also, whenever I had a question/uncertainty about anything I could usually find the answer on here better and much faster than with the attorney (who is a pretty average guy, not spectacular but professional and experienced) . There is still a lot of work you have to do with an attorney, I would have rather spent that money on plane tickets!

[Done--Really 331]

If there are no run ins with US immigration, no visa violations, and no criminal history, it is surprisingly easy, but YOU MUST FOLLOW ALL THE DIRECTIONS ON THE VARIOUS FORMS AND IN THE GUIDES HERE. If you can't or won't follow directions, or want to question every little thing that doesn't make sense to you, or want to try to circumvent the way things are done, then you will have a hard time on your own. But if you are discip lined and willing to take advice from all of us who have already made mistakes by not listening, then it is a piece of cake--REALLY !!!

[Darnell 8,478]

Internet sucks, for searching, right?

Get The Yellow Pages Book, start your search there.

IN THE ADVERT - yer looking for 'member of AILA' designation

but even then, that doesn't guarantee anything.

[Mesh 0]

Wow, thank you all for your help! I'm sorry for the late chime in, since i'm new I kept checking my email to see if anyone had responding thinking I'd get a notification, only to check the site this evening to find all of your wonderful responses. Thank you, thank you! I will probably do it by myself with all your encouragement!

[StephanieM 60]

Like EVERYONE said, unless you have complications with immigration or anything funky. Do it yourself!! Honestly this process is not that difficult if you can read and follow directions. And with a website like this, there is no way you can really mess up. Don't be shy and ask all the questions you need to. Save your money, you will need it for the process anyway.

[Dan & Juan 12]

The age old question is debated a lot on here. I am sure I did all the work and research on my case cause it was my life and future but I ended up using an attorney I found through our states list and asked some past clients reference. The reason I used a lawyer wasn't due to complicated case I am sure I could have done it on my own like I did anyway but to have the lawyer who has done this hundreds of times successfully for others do it immaculately and literally exactly how it needed to be was great piece of mind. It did slow me down a little at times but these times were stop check points during the process to take a breath and understand everything. I know there are horror stories I did not choose my attorney lightly I knew her record of success and it didn't cost me as much as I thought because I did most the leg work she just made it all come together and sunmitted a sweet packet and not front loaded. It really is a personal choice it's not necessary to have tons of billable hours choose someone carefully who will work with you on time and what they can offer. I was scared to death about filing due to getting married quickly on first visit and even though I knew relationship was real. I didn't know they knew hee hee