Is an immigration lawyer a good idea?

[Katwood 0]

Should we do it ourselves or hire a lawyer?

My fiancee and are are just beginning the "visa journey" and are trying to decide if we should hire an attorney to assist with the K1 visa process.

What are other people's experiences? The K1 is already so expensive. We'd like to keep down the cost. But, we also want to make sure that we are approved.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

[Darnell 8,478]

I'll suggest a coupla things, maybe (maybe...) help you to decide whether you need an attorney or not.

a. read the VJ guides. map the steps out on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

b. Read the USCIS web portal about the forms. Map out the steps on paper and pencil. See if anything doesn't make sense to you.

c. Practice filling out the forms, at least 5 times. See if anything still doesn't make sense to you.

d. Have any red flags? Practice writing up attestation letters about each red flag.

Now, after doing (with major emphasis on DOING ) all of the above, if you do NOT understand the forms and the process and potential red flags for your petition,

then I'd suggest getting a good IMMIGRATION lawyer.

Welcome to VJ, btw - this is a GREAT DIY Immigration Web Portal, with emphasis on 'Y', and 'D'.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Darnell

[HeatDeath 430]

The general advice is that "normal" cases [relatively simple cases with no obvious red flags] do not normally need a lawyer the vast majority of the time.

Red flags include previous criminal records, [in some parts of the world, but probably not Mexico] significant age differences [particularly where the petitioner is female and older], and previous encounters with USCIS/CBP/ICE that were in some way complicated or ended badly.

If your case is nice and simple, a lawyer is almost certainly not necessary.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

If you have an easy, straight forward case with out any red flags or any complications, an immigration lawyer will probably be a waste of money. There aren't many questions that you won't find an answer to here at VJ. I second the advice above. Take a look around, read up on the instructions, check out the example forms, practice filling them out, and ask questions.

Edited August 26, 2010 by Coconuts

[Katwood 0]

Thank you for the advice.

My main concern is that I live in Mexico with my fiancee. I think that my mother will have to be my fiancee's sponsor since I don't have a job in the US. I do have a permanent address there, which is my mother's address. Does this complicate our visa process enough to warrant hiring a lawyer?

Thanks again!

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Thank you for the advice.

My main concern is that I live in Mexico with my fiancee. I think that my mother will have to be my fiancee's sponsor since I don't have a job in the US. I do have a permanent address there, which is my mother's address. Does this complicate our visa process enough to warrant hiring a lawyer?

Thanks again!

No, I don't believe that's enough of an issue to require a lawyer. A co-sponsor is incredibly common.

[TLJohnson 1]

I would tend to agree with what everyone has stated. I have said before on here, I am an attorney (but not an immigration attorney), and unless you have a complication (for Mexico, a previous overstay in the U.S., criminal history, or something of that nature), I get the impression that most people should be able to handle this process on their own without much trouble.

The bulk of this process is providing biographical and personal information, which you would first have to give to any attorney who you would hire anyway. The hardest and most time consuming part is compiling all of the information you will need, and hiring an attorney will not save you any of that trouble. Additionally, it seems like people do a much better job of tracking and moving their own case along with the help of this website than some of the "not-so-great" immigration firms out there. All in all, I say do you homework, use this awesome resource, and save your money .

[BlueBonnet 84]

According to some of the people here, and some of the red flags they have offered to stall or have your application denied, are in my case. However we recieved our NoA2 mid August. I would always start the process on your own, no one knows the two of you better or your family history better than you. Just read ( alot ), get familiar and comfortable with the process, dont be afraid to ask any questions on this board ( I found my questions were answered within minutes of my post - the people here are amazing, knowledgeable and helpful ) .. its a long journey .. so be prepared to hurry up and wait ( alot ). If you run into a problem ... and no one can help you .. then get the lawyer, but other than that, the process is very straight forward.

Best of luck on your journey, and please keep your timeline updated so the people to follow in your ( our ) footsteps also have valid and current information.

[Kimchimex 8]

I am a friend of the future bride & groom she is in Mexico he is in Minnesota. I am doing all the paperwork & having them sign just because I am really good at organizing & I like doing it. I personally think you could go it alone & save time & money. Just need to write things down & plan it! Page by page!

We are heading to Cozumel in 9 days (I am happy to get to go along cuz the bride to be is my best Mexican girlfriend & she knows he is coming with a ring so we are making a huge party!!!) and when we get back he will file all the papers. While in Mexico she will sign papers, get a passport, get extra photos taken etc...plus we will photograph lots of stuff as secondary evidence. I am sure you could do it if you are an organized person.

This website is a fantastic resourse I could not do it without thios website...so search & search again & if you don't see the answer just ask...everyone here is awesome!

Kim

[fescobar 0]

Visa Journey has been a great help like everyone says if it seems like an easy case with nothing that can cause a roadblock you should be fine. Just double check and triple check all documents to ensure everything is done right.

I did everything by myself and currently I am waiting for my wife's interview in Juarez tomorrow. Good luck with everything everyone is very helpful just ask.

[jimmy&eloisa 1]

I would tend to agree with what everyone has stated. I have said before on here, I am an attorney (but not an immigration attorney), and unless you have a complication (for Mexico, a previous overstay in the U.S., criminal history, or something of that nature), I get the impression that most people should be able to handle this process on their own without much trouble.

The bulk of this process is providing biographical and personal information, which you would first have to give to any attorney who you would hire anyway. The hardest and most time consuming part is compiling all of the information you will need, and hiring an attorney will not save you any of that trouble. Additionally, it seems like people do a much better job of tracking and moving their own case along with the help of this website than some of the "not-so-great" immigration firms out there. All in all, I say do you homework, use this awesome resource, and save your money .

what do you mean "for mexico"? what are the complications for mexico?

[TLJohnson 1]

what do you mean "for mexico"? what are the complications for mexico?

From what I have heard (and I am by no means an expert!), it seems that for many people seeking visas through the Juarez consulate, the main impediments that they encounter have to do with over-staying previous visas in the United States or otherwise having been in the United States illegally in the past. I said "for Mexico" because I think this is a fairly unique issue for the Juarez consulate due to the proximity of Mexico and the U.S. Anecdotally, I have been told that your average run-of-the-mill K1 interview is probably the most simple and boring thing the people at the consulate will see all day when you go to interview (I was told this to be put more at ease), because a lot of the people interviewing there have been in the U.S. already and have married a USC there, and are now going back and having to get waivers and such to bring their status into legal compliance. It is those types of situations that I would think an attorney would be very helpful!

[SuperDuper! 230]

Going thru CDJ is a personal challenge given the drug cartel violence down there. Just follow the US travel advisory, and keep your head on a swivel when down there! Good luck!

[Alan-and-Ira 1]

Should we do it ourselves or hire a lawyer?

My fiancee and are are just beginning the "visa journey" and are trying to decide if we should hire an attorney to assist with the K1 visa process.

What are other people's experiences? The K1 is already so expensive. We'd like to keep down the cost. But, we also want to make sure that we are approved.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

VisaJourney is a perfect DIY site, but, please, do consider all the options Darnell mentioned in the Post #2. Every case is different, and only you two can decide on what is the best for your visa process. Best wishes!

[Dream'nJordan 9]

We have an attorney....and all it has done was slow down the process. USCIS went pretty fast. But when my case was transferred to NVC, he sent me his bill and NVC sent me theirs. I paid them both the same day I received the emails, he let my case sit at NVC for 4 weeks without sending my case file to them. After 4 weeks of sitting here wondering why we hadnt gotten case complete or an interview date, his receptionist called to tell me that he forgot to send it. Then add another month onto that because we got 2 RFE's from things we needed not only from me here in the US, but from my husband in Jordan. (He is an attorney and should have known what all we needed to send the first time) I have had to be the one that has emailed the Embassy and the one that has done all the calling to NVC. He hasnt done anything. He might call me once every 3 weeks to see if I have heard anything, (i'm sorry, isnt that what I hired him for?) other than that.........NOTHING. Our case has been complete for 101 days today, and we still have no interview date, due to his lack of responsibility to his job.

If you have a simple case, lots of evidence, and a way to get on VJ, then you dont need one. VJ can help you out with filling out the papers, and if someone doesnt know, about 99% of them here will find out and then tell you. Also remember if something comes up and you need a lawyer later, you can always hire one then. Try to do this yourself, and with the help of VJ. I have a lot of friends on here that didnt use an attorney and they have made it through the journey just fine. I wish you luck with a happy and fast journey.