N 400: Do you think it's worth doing N400 with a lawyer or myself?

[xillini 72]

So I am trying to see if it's worth spending 1K to 1.5K to hire a lawyer for N400 or simply go ahead and file N400 myself.

 

My case is rather simple (I would think), but not simplest case it can be
 

We started with the lawyer from the beginning when applying for I 485/I130.

• 201X: filled I 485 with I130 with marriage based

• 201X+1: Received RFE due to I864 that my spouse's income not sufficient and we ended up using with my own portfolio (i.e: Cash) as a supplementary finance to prove that we have met I 864 requirement.

• After local USCIS interview, received conditional green card. During the interview, no question about the income

• 202Y: I 751 filed and approved

• 2024: Have first baby (from IVF)

 

My biggest concern is.... I know my then-lawyer wrote a letter explaining how my asset in portfolio can suffice the I864 requirement, but I dont know what he wrote, and because I dont know what he wrote, if and when, during N400 interview, an officer asks about it, I dont know what to say. All I know was I had to give bank statement showing cash equivalent, and then my interview was scheduled in Chicago, IL.

 

I know that generally speaking, USCIS wont ask (or review) about how an applicant receives green card but occasionally, they do if there are some red flag.

I have not used any public charge. No other issues like criminal history/tax issues/full time F1 student before AOS for 4 years, just plain and simple.

 

My spouse at the time was struggling to find a job when we applied for I 485. Current income level is not even eligible for Fee reduction to N400, so no more issues

 

Field office is gonna be Chicago, IL (The same as my AOS interview)

Not necessarily sure, if this is going to be a red flag, but just wanted to see what's the consensus here. The lawyer I filed for I485 is also doing N400 (with 1.X K lawyer fee).

 

Thank you for reading

 

[Crazy Cat 42,813]

1 hour ago, xillini said:

My biggest concern is.... I know my then-lawyer wrote a letter explaining how my asset in portfolio can suffice the I864 requirement, but I dont know what he wrote, and because I dont know what he wrote, if and when, during N400 interview,

Public Charge determination or financial support is not even considered or applicable in the Naturalization process. They are non-issues. I can tell you that the N-400 was, by far, the easiest part of the immigration process for us.  It was a piece of cake from application to approval.

Edited Sunday at 08:56 PM by Crazy Cat

[xillini 72]

3 hours ago, Crazy Cat said:

Public Charge determination or financial support is not even considered or applicable in the Naturalization process. They are non-issues. I can tell you that the N-400 was, by far, the easiest part of the immigration process for us.  It was a piece of cake from application to approval.

Yeah I agree, I guess I will just go ahead and start to file N400 by myself.

It isnt that hard

[randomstairs 318]

I'd say it's even better to file (electronically) by yourself. I've come across cases where the lawyer didn't file electronically, prolonged the whole process, and even failed to properly communicate with a client. If it's a simple case, as yours seems to be, electronic filing is the fastest, safest, and cheapest option.  

[Caligirl1 217]

18 hours ago, xillini said:

Yeah I agree, I guess I will just go ahead and start to file N400 by myself.

It isnt that hard

Safe the money for a lawyer, you'll be just fine filing yourself! Almost done with everything 🙌 Good luck!

[Rekyrts 92]

I always tell folks if you have the money, and it's isn't a financial imposition AND you can guarantee competent representation, why not? This is America, after all...

However, the N400 is the most DIY part of the process. If it is even close to as straightforward as you say, you should consider doing it by yourself; it is almost underwhelmingly easy to do.

[OldUser 8,268]

3 minutes ago, Rekyrts said:

I always tell folks if you have the money, and it's isn't a financial imposition AND you can guarantee competent representation, why not? This is America, after all...

However, the N400 is the most DIY part of the process. If it is even close to as straightforward as you say, you should consider doing it by yourself; it is almost underwhelmingly easy to do.

I have a very straightfoward case, but I involved attorney. They're also coming with me to the interview.

 

Why?

1) I can afford it

2) This is America

3) Too many things happening lately in immigration

 

Could I complete N-400 form myself? Absolutely, it would have been easier than answering lawyer's questionnaire. However, I see lawyer as somebody playing a bigger role than just form filler / preparer.

[Rekyrts 92]

Just now, OldUser said:

I have a very straightfoward case, but I involved attorney. They're also coming with me to the interview.

 

Why?

1) I can afford it

2) This is America

3) Too many things happening lately in immigration

 

Could I complete N-400 form myself? Absolutely, it would have been easier than answering lawyer's questionnaire. However, I see lawyer as somebody playing a bigger role than just form filler / preparer.

 

Number 3 is a KEY consideration...

[randomstairs 318]

2 hours ago, OldUser said:

I have a very straightfoward case, but I involved attorney. They're also coming with me to the interview.

 

Why?

1) I can afford it

2) This is America

3) Too many things happening lately in immigration

 

Could I complete N-400 form myself? Absolutely, it would have been easier than answering lawyer's questionnaire. However, I see lawyer as somebody playing a bigger role than just form filler / preparer.

That's fair, in the light of the current administration. 

[Frankjavir 58]

3 hours ago, OldUser said:

I have a very straightfoward case, but I involved attorney. They're also coming with me to the interview.

 

Why?

1) I can afford it

2) This is America

3) Too many things happening lately in immigration

 

Could I complete N-400 form myself? Absolutely, it would have been easier than answering lawyer's questionnaire. However, I see lawyer as somebody playing a bigger role than just form filler / preparer.

I believe to bring an attorney to the interview is a good idea because of  item 3, it did not occur to me.

My question is how much do they charge just for their presence at the interview? (They can not answer questions in your behalf, they can advice you. they can not be used as interpreters, if you need a certified interpreter, that is $300 for 1 hour).

An attorneys  charges 1.5 K here in South Florida to fill out and submit the N-400, not including their company to the interview.

 

 

[OldUser 8,268]

7 minutes ago, Frankjavir said:

I believe to bring an attorney to the interview is a good idea because of  item 3, it did not occur to me.

My question is how much do they charge just for their presence at the interview? (They can not answer questions in your behalf, they can advice you. they can not be used as interpreters, if you need a certified interpreter, that is $300 for 1 hour).

An attorneys  charges 1.5 K here in South Florida to fill out and submit the N-400, not including their company to the interview.

 

 

I guess it depends on city and state.

Where I am, I've seen prices from $500 to $1000 for interview part. Maybe there are lower prices, I did not shop around that much.

 

The attorney has a prep phone call, explaining how interview is conducted. They know location well, so they explain in detail how to get there, even which door to open and which room to go

 

You are absolutely right about attorney not asnwering questions for client at interview, however during prep call you can ask any questions about how to answer things. Also, attorney can take notes about questions asked and answers their client gave during interview for further record. They can also help keeping interview focused, and reduce chance of adjudicator asking irrelevant questions. Attorney can help getting USCIS supervisor involved too if necessary. If decision cannot be made on day of interview, at least attorney has full picture how it went and can help with next steps (answering RFE, suing for decision etc)

 

 

 

[Frankjavir 58]

1 hour ago, OldUser said:

I guess it depends on city and state.

Where I am, I've seen prices from $500 to $1000 for interview part. Maybe there are lower prices, I did not shop around that much.

 

The attorney has a prep phone call, explaining how interview is conducted. They know location well, so they explain in detail how to get there, even which door to open and which room to go

 

You are absolutely right about attorney not asnwering questions for client at interview, however during prep call you can ask any questions about how to answer things. Also, attorney can take notes about questions asked and answers their client gave during interview for further record. They can also help keeping interview focused, and reduce chance of adjudicator asking irrelevant questions. Attorney can help getting USCIS supervisor involved too if necessary. If decision cannot be made on day of interview, at least attorney has full picture how it went and can help with next steps (answering RFE, suing for decision etc)

 

 

 

Definitively is money well spent

[LBeachey 46]

18 hours ago, Rekyrts said:

 

Number 3 is a KEY consideration...

What your risk level here does depend.  And I respect your wanting to stay anonymous. Are you applying after 3 years based upon your marriage or 5 years?  What country did you immigrate from?  What is your level of English proficiency? Is it fluent or just passable?  Only you can answer this.