Immigration Lawyer Recommendation

[Pabs 0]

Hello everybody!

After a long (and rather great) courtship, my fiancee and I are to be married next August. We have decided that while she is in charge of the wedding preparations, I'm in charge of the immigration procedures. Our case seems to be very straight forward: I arrived to the US as an student (and I have maintained my status since), we met, we start loving each other since the first day and know we are looking forward to the wedding. I'm sure we can complete the paperwork ourselves but she demands that we at least consult an immigration lawyer. I don't want to waste money on the first attorney I find in the Yellow Pages so... I need some references. Can someone recommend me a good immigration lawyer in the Kansas City area? Money's not a problem.

Thanks!

[Rings 10]

What visa are you here on? It is immigration fraud if you come into America with intent to marry unless youa re approved through a K1 visa first. However you will need to prove that you married without intent to commit fraud if you do it here in the states. If you can give me more information on what visa you are currently here on I will better be able to help.

[NycBra 4]

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I also got married in August (but in 2007).

I don't know of any immigration lawyer to recommend (sorry!) but I did came to US as a F1 student. My story is long (you can see it on my profile).

I was in US as a tourist visiting my boyfriend. We got engaged. I got accepted at a graduate school. I went back to Brazil to get the F1 visa. I returned to US to pursue my studies (not to get married) although we were planning to get married, as we were engaged, but we didn't have any specific date or plan at the time. And we didn't want to hurry anything and since I had 2 years of a master degree full time, I entered as a student and not as a fiancee.

We got married after I completed my 1 year of graduate school (civil in US and religious in Brazil). We did the whole immigration process by ourselves (no lawyer) and it went smooth. I finished my studies. We are now applying to remove the conditions on green card.

If you are detailed oriented and organized, and good filling forms, you can do by yourself. But I totally understand if you want to talk to a lawyer.

This forum has a lot of good information. Hopefully someone can recommend you a good lawyer.

Edited September 23, 2009 by NycBra

[Rings 10]

You won't need a lawyer if you are careful and do your homework. It's technically considered fraud to come into America and marry someone without prior approval from the government, but if you get married out of good intentions, then file for the CR1 after you get your marriage licence. Check out the information available to you here www.uscis.gov and the I-130 forms you will need. They come with a complete set of instructions. You do not want to start immigration until after you are legally married to the USC.

[Pabs 0]

You won't need a lawyer if you are careful and do your homework. It's technically considered fraud to come into America and marry someone without prior approval from the government, but if you get married out of good intentions, then file for the CR1 after you get your marriage licence. Check out the information available to you here www.uscis.gov and the I-130 forms you will need. They come with a complete set of instructions. You do not want to start immigration until after you are legally married to the USC.

Thanks for your reply! I understand completely your concern about "immigration fraud" and I can assure you that that's not the case with us. I arrived to the US years ago with the only objective of attending college. I didn't meet my fiancee until several years after I started my education in the US; in fact, I met her while I was already in grad school (after receiving a degree from a US university). Now, to answer your question, I'm in the US with an F-1 visa and I'm currently (and plan to keep) attending college after we get married.

Hope this answers your question and, once again, thanks for your concern.

Edited September 24, 2009 by Pabs

[Pabs 0]

First of all, congratulations on your upcoming wedding! I also got married in August (but in 2007).

I don't know of any immigration lawyer to recommend (sorry!) but I did came to US as a F1 student. My story is long (you can see it on my profile).

I was in US as a tourist visiting my boyfriend. We got engaged. I got accepted at a graduate school. I went back to Brazil to get the F1 visa. I returned to US to pursue my studies (not to get married) although we were planning to get married, as we were engaged, but we didn't have any specific date or plan at the time. And we didn't want to hurry anything and since I had 2 years of a master degree full time, I entered as a student and not as a fiancee.

We got married after I completed my 1 year of graduate school (civil in US and religious in Brazil). We did the whole immigration process by ourselves (no lawyer) and it went smooth. I finished my studies. We are now applying to remove the conditions on green card.

If you are detailed oriented and organized, and good filling forms, you can do by yourself. But I totally understand if you want to talk to a lawyer.

This forum has a lot of good information. Hopefully someone can recommend you a good lawyer.

Hey NycBra!

Thanks for your reply! Yes, I think we are in a very similar situation. The only big difference is that I met my fiancee after I had already been in the US for a few years. I'm sure we will be OK without the lawyer but my fiancee is determined to consult one; and, taking in consideration the incredible amount of stress she's going to be under preparing the wedding, I don't want to contradict her wishes.

Thanks anyway...

[TBoneTX 45,304]

It doesn't need to be a local law firm. Check out http://www.fosterquan.com -- the largest immigration-law firm in Houston. Their e-mail & telephone consultation rates are surprisingly reasonable, and they are VERY responsive. I have no connection to the firm except as a former client, and a very satisfied one at that.

[Rings 10]

You really don't need a laywer. We did it without one. Please follow my advice and read the petition for the I-130. The complete instructions are there. If you married with good intent then filing for the CR1 will save you so much money without having to pay for the lawyer.

[Dakine 26]

Hello everybody!

After a long (and rather great) courtship, my fiancee and I are to be married next August. We have decided that while she is in charge of the wedding preparations, I'm in charge of the immigration procedures. Our case seems to be very straight forward: I arrived to the US as an student (and I have maintained my status since), we met, we start loving each other since the first day and know we are looking forward to the wedding. I'm sure we can complete the paperwork ourselves but she demands that we at least consult an immigration lawyer. I don't want to waste money on the first attorney I find in the Yellow Pages so... I need some references. Can someone recommend me a good immigration lawyer in the Kansas City area? Money's not a problem.

Thanks!

Laurel Scott in Texas.

10 K