Is there any US immigration situation where you MUST have a lawyer?

[Wingnutfish 18]

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer. I know that when we did it, the consensus for most situations was that it was better to do it yourself if you could read instructions carefully. Has anything actually changed, has it always been true for certain types of visas, or is that person just completely wrong?

[Crazy Cat 41,850]

2 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer.

That is total and complete nonsense.........If that were true, Visa Journey would not be in existence.  

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

2 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer. I know that when we did it, the consensus for most situations was that it was better to do it yourself if you could read instructions carefully. Has anything actually changed, has it always been true for certain types of visas, or is that person just completely wrong?

False... easily done solo for most people.. only time you’d need a lawyer is if your case is overly complicated, e.g. significant crime issues etc..

[Unlockable 7,314]

Facebook......😒

 

This is the same platform where the flat-earthers and anti-vaxxers were populated. Let that sink in for a second.

 

@Wingnutfish,

 

To answer your question, not only is what you heard on FB absolutely not true, it is insultingly absurd. At least the information you get on this site is backed up by official government laws, policies, and memos that can be found on official government sites. Ask the person to provide you with an official statement stating a lawyer is mandatory.

 

 

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

3 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer. I know that when we did it, the consensus for most situations was that it was better to do it yourself if you could read instructions carefully. Has anything actually changed, has it always been true for certain types of visas, or is that person just completely wrong?

Maybe stop following Facebook and move to the VJ side where more people have experience and we ask for government documentation to back up claims. Maybe the poster was a lawyer trying to get clients.

[Boiler 45,499]

Was this person a Lawyer?

[Canerican 242]

4 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer. I know that when we did it, the consensus for most situations was that it was better to do it yourself if you could read instructions carefully. Has anything actually changed, has it always been true for certain types of visas, or is that person just completely wrong?

As others have said, no lawyer is needed. I went K-1-> AOS->Removal of Conditions-> Citizenship without a lawyer. I have also currently seen people on this site others file for IR/CR-1 Without a lawyer. Save the money and file yourself. 

[payxibka 10,045]

4 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

Someone on a Facebook group just tried to tell me that it's no longer possible to immigrate to the US without help from a lawyer. I know that when we did it, the consensus for most situations was that it was better to do it yourself if you could read instructions carefully. Has anything actually changed, has it always been true for certain types of visas, or is that person just completely wrong?

There are members here on this site who are much more qualified and can run circles around most immigration lawyers 

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Only imaginable circumstances to involve a lawyer would be an order of deportation or (in some instances, but not all) VAWA petitions.

[Wingnutfish 18]

Thanks for the confirmation. To clarify, I wasn't looking for advice on Facebook. We're done with our immigration process. It just came up in a conversation about another country's immigration system, and I wanted to make absolutely sure I was right before making a point of contradicting it.

[TBoneTX 45,288]

Good for you, but expect uneducated objections to anything that you rebut.

[geowrian 22,337]

Are there any situations where an attorney is a must? I would say yes, but they are very few and far between. Mostly it cases those dealing with cases being sent to court.

Or where there are questions of law - for example, if a marriage or divorce was actually legal under US law, some criminal inadmissibility, AWA cases, etc.

Or non-family-based immigration like employment-based cases.

 

But no, most family-based situations do not require one. The typical case is completely DIY.

Edited June 28, 2020 by geowrian

[Just Paul 4,595]

3 hours ago, Wingnutfish said:

t just came up in a conversation about another country's immigration system,

Depends on the country - Panama is easier with one.   We did Mary's Mexican Green card with an agent since we lived far away for Hermosillo.