Need advice

[scrantonf1978 0]

Hi, I live in Scranton. Female, 30 years age. I have been dating this guy who has a narcotics conviction back home but managed to sneak into the US. I met him when he did the floor at my condo. Anyhoo, we want to get married. We had an initial consult with an immigration lawyer and he wants $8K. Is that a reasonable cost? He says it will take over a year. But he did not give me details on what the procedure is, just kept saying dont worry I take care of it for you.

Thoughts?

[English Muffin 59]

What is your boyfriend's current status in the US?

Did he enter with or without inspection?

[scrantonf1978 0]

What is your boyfriend's current status in the US?

Did he enter with or without inspection?

The lawyer said he doesn't have any status. What do you mean by inspection?

[English Muffin 59]

Did he enter on a visa that he has overstayed or did he sneak across the border?

[scrantonf1978 0]

He didn't have a visa.

[Rings 10]

It's very important to know how he got here for us to help you.

[scrantonf1978 0]

It's very important to know how he got here for us to help you.

His cousin drove him over. There was no visa.

[Otto 83]

What is your boyfriend's current status in the US?

Did he enter with or without inspection?

The lawyer said he doesn't have any status. What do you mean by inspection?

Means you're dating a person who is in the US illegally (that whole 'he managed to sneak in' part).

Getting married is the easy part - I suppose you want him to be able to be here legally - that is the tricky part. And the narcotics conviction from Guatemala will pose a bit of a snag too.

[scrantonf1978 0]

What is your boyfriend's current status in the US?

Did he enter with or without inspection?

The lawyer said he doesn't have any status. What do you mean by inspection?

Means you're dating a person who is in the US illegally (that whole 'he managed to sneak in' part).

Getting married is the easy part - I suppose you want him to be able to be here legally - that is the tricky part. And the narcotics conviction from Guatemala will pose a bit of a snag too.

I guess. Does 8K sound reasonable or is the lawyer overcharging me?

[English Muffin 59]

Your boyfriend can't adjust status from within the US. He will need to go to his home country and apply for either a fiance or spouse visa, which will undoubtedly be denied due to the narcotics conviction. Waivers for drugs convictions are very difficult to get.

[Rings 10]

I would go with the lawyer.. maybe not THAT laywer since he is witholding information, but if he is here illegally he would have to return to his country in order to begin immigration and even then, the conviction will probably fail him on the legalities. You would need a lawyer, but you should get a good one that is not putting a mask over your head on the real issues.

[scrantonf1978 0]

Really? The lawyer said it would be a procedure but he needs the money upfront. He described it like a pipeline, we put money at one end and give it time to work and he would get a green card on the other.

Rings how much should it cost, any idea? I don't want a dollar store lawyer but I dont wanna over pay either.

[Anh map 2,098]

The attorney won't explain what they are going to do? Have you spoken to other experienced immigration attorneys? Consult other attorneys and ask for a couple of satisfied client referrals to speak with. A competent attorney won't have a problem with giving referrals.

This isn't a simple case, but $8K sounds high.

[Rings 10]

He cannot immigrate to the U.S.A unless he is in his own country unless you get married here and apply for the I-130 and even then, your application will not be approved due to his conviction (especially if it is a conviction that haas not been resolved in a court of law, fines paid, etc...) It is very hard to immigrate even if you are married. He would have to file a waiver for the conviction, but man.. honestly I have seen maybe one person actually succeed in a waiver of a conviction the entire time I have been on this site. What's the conviction for?? You can private message me if you want to keep it secret.

[scrantonf1978 0]

Anh map no, so far I've only spoken to one lawyer. I have called a few others offices but when I introduce my situation their tones sound like their judging me. This lawyers office was really nice and put me at ease.