What Services Do Immigration Lawyers Provide?

There are plenty of specializations for attorneys, from labor law to criminal law, but one form with which American-born citizens probably don't have much experience is immigration lawyers.

According to All Law, some people consider immigration law to be so intricate, it is second only to the U.S. tax code in complexity.

The most well-known function of an immigration attorney is assisting individuals in becoming naturalized citizens of a country, according to Attorneys.com. This process can take up to seven years, so having an immigration lawyer at one’s side can help with efficiency and quickening the development.

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For naturalization, lawyers gather the documentation needed for an individual to become a citizen, assist with the need-to-pass tests, help obtain immediate access to citizenship in emergency cases, and be a representative in court.

Those, however, are not the only service provided by these specialists. Immigration lawyers can be employed in court cases unrelated to a person becoming a citizen, such as when an immigrant goes to court in civil or criminal trials and legal status is a factor. They can also help noncitizens start a business in a foreign country.

Immigration lawyers also provide counseling on visa applications and obtaining green cards.

They are much more likely to work as mediators between clients and immigration authorities than to work a civil suit, LegalMatch said.

Immigration lawyers can also assist with understanding why applications were denied and how to go about being successful with applications in special cases of people having medical concerns, a criminal record, a previous deportation, or a new employer that is not being cooperative with immigration matters.

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Some prospective employers may contract immigration attorneys for the hire.

Attorneys can also assist with family issues dealing with marital status changes that impact residency and the immigration status of children.

In cases of deportation, a lawyer may assist in finding an avenue of relief by preparing witnesses and evidence and dealing with procedural requirements and deadlines.

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