Is an immigration lawyer a good idea?

[JlovesA 109]

I just wanted to chime and add that previous marriages in itself is not a red flag. Multiple marriages that resulted in the spouse immigrating to the USA is. Assuming that isn't an issue for you and you are free to marry (as in, you are never married, divorced, widowed, or had an annulled marriage) you are fine. Being divorced/etc isn't a red flag as others have stated unless the other marriages resulted in the spouse immigrating to the USA.

[Grant-Hyunjung 0]

I wish I had bought my little lady a laptop instead. ^^ I could have bought her a real nice one for her graphic design work... TT

Instead I sent her a 4 year old one and some chocolate...and I threw in a junk laptop for her sister so she can study English!

Apparently South Korean customs only allows one laptop in one box for a shipment to an individual! So my $250 laptop will be returned to me for $127 courtesy of FedEx... TT I really hope someone messes up along the way and the package clears customs... TT

[USC1961 251]

This is perhaps one of the most debated topics on the VisaJourney forums, to hire or not to hire an attorney. But after reading the comments on this thread, I figured it was time to throw my 2 cents into the ring.

For me this one is a no brainer, hire an attorney!! Although the visa journey and immigration process MAY seem fairly straight forward and easy (not saying in some cases it probably is), there are just too many things that could possibly go wrong. Some are obvious and we read about them here on the forums. But having a competent and experienced attorney is the only way to insure you are going about it the best possible way. The right attorney will put you in the best position for approval.

In my mind there are so many variables involved, how could you risk not hiring an attorney? For instance would you sign a big business deal worth six figures without a competent attorney? Would you buy a house without one? I wouldn't, so why should one of the most important events of you and your fiance(e)s lives not be given the same importance and treatment. Marrying someone from a foreign country is a huge step and a big emotional and financial investment (several thousand dollars in most cases). Taking how big an event and the huge investment you are making into account, spending $1,500-2,000 on an attorney is well worth it.

Another point I would like to make is the proper attorney not only fills sends and collects paperwork (which is a very important thing in itself as one mistake could disqualify you), but they will advise you. Advise you on how to go about the whole process in general. Advice on how to answer interview questions would be one example and just the tip of the iceberg. And no one here has even mentioned what happens after getting married and the adjustment process. An attorney will advise you on things you can do to ease that process as well.

I myself am not an attorney, nor have I gone through the visa process. My Fiancee, along with her 3 kids, are just embarking on this long Journey. Personally I am not going to take the chance of not having the best legal advice and someone to represent us from start to finish. They are just too important to me to take such a big risk.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Cruise77

[JlovesA 109]

I just noticed this thread is from August...oh well. Still good for discussion.