10 Reasons To Book An Immigration Lawyer For A Free Consultation

For many people, scheduling time with a Houston immigration lawyer for a free consultation can provide a tremendous amount of peace of mind – the kind you can only get when you know a true professional is on your side and working hard to protect your rights.

There are several reasons you should reserve time with an immigration lawyer for a free consultation, but these are the ten most important.

10 Reasons to Reserve Time For an Immigration Lawyer Free Consultation

Many of our clients come to us for help with filing documents or representation in legal proceedings – and these are some of the most common reasons people call our office.

1. Green Card Eligibility and Applications

While getting a green card may not always require a lawyer’s help, many people find that working with an attorney makes the whole process a lot easier.

Discussing your situation with a skilled and knowledgeable immigration lawyer during a free consultation can also help you to avoid being a victim of fraud. Many scammers operate with titles like “Notario” and “Visa Facilitator,” but they’re not qualified to protect your interests in court – and in fact, they’re not licensed to perform any of the functions a lawyer can perform. These scammers often charge their victims a large amount of money for virtually nothing in return.

2. Help With Deportation Notifications

Removal proceedings are very serious. This document, commonly called an NTA, lets you know that the U.S. government is beginning removal proceedings against you. It must also include information about the nature of the proceedings against you, factual allegations against you, and your official charge of removability (including the immigration laws that the court believes you have violated). It will also include the date and place you must appear for your hearing.

The NTA will also list:

• Your right to hire an attorney at your own expense
• What will happen to you if you don’t show up
• Your responsibility to notify the court if you move
• Your duty to surrender if you’re ordered to leave or to voluntarily depart

You must show up in court when you receive a Notice to Appear. If you don’t, the judge can order you removed – and you’ll give up your rights to apply to stay.

3. Representation During Legal Proceedings

Any legal proceedings involving you or your family warrant a call to an immigration attorney – at least for a free consultation. Because non-citizens are especially at-risk for deportation, even for the most minor legal issues, it’s important that you consult with a lawyer immediately if you’re accused of any type of crime or rule violation.

That’s also true if you’re divorcing, particularly if you have received your green card as a result of your marital relationship. You need to know your options and get a clear understanding of what could happen in your case, so you need to talk to an immigration lawyer who understands the system and how our current laws will affect your family.

4. Application Denial for Green Cards and Citizenship

If you have been denied a green card or citizenship, your attorney may be able to help you reapply. In many cases, denials are the result of missing documentation, miscommunications or the failure of a civics or English test. Sometimes USCIS will allow you to continue your application rather than issuing a complete denial – and in that case, you have a chance to provide additional documentation and try again.

5. Criminal Offenses

There’s a long list of crimes that make you deportable from the United States – and among them are crimes of moral turpitude. If you’re accused of a crime of moral turpitude, or any other type of crime, it’s essential that you call an immigration lawyer for a free consultation as soon as possible.

Crimes you could be deported for include:

• Felonies
• Controlled substance offenses
• Firearms convictions
• Domestic violence

That’s not a complete list, either – you could be removed from the U.S. for committing an immigration-related crime, such as lying on a visa or green card application or speeding away from an immigration checkpoint. You can be deported for espionage, sabotage, or even failing to register with the Selective Service.
The bottom line: It’s important that you talk to an immigration lawyer if you’re facing criminal charges. Your future in the U.S. could depend on it.

6. Moving to the U.S. for a Job

Finding a new job (or hiring a new employee) is exciting – but it also requires a little legwork on your part if you’re coming from another country or hiring foreign workers. Working with a law firm committed to your success can be incredibly helpful.

7. Applying for an Investment-Based Green Card

Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, entrepreneurs are eligible to apply for a green card, and the benefit extends to the entrepreneur’s spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. IN order to be eligible, entrepreneurs or investors must make the necessary investment in a U.S. business and plan to create or preserve ten permanent, full-time jobs for qualified American workers.

A commercial enterprise under the EB-5 program can include any of the following:

• Business trust
• Corporation
• General partnership
• Holding company
• Joint venture
• Limited partnership
• Sole proprietorship
• Other entity (privately or publicly owned)

For most people, it makes sense to consult with an immigration attorney about applying and, in many cases, hire a lawyer to facilitate the entire process.

8. Emergency Help

Identifying a ready and capable legal resource who is familiar with your situation is important. Emergencies can happen quickly, so knowing an attorney you can call in a pinch can be tremendously beneficial.

9. Peace of Mind

Talking to someone who understands what you’re going through and asking questions about your circumstances can give you the peace-of-mind you need in any situation. If you’re an immigrant, or if you want to sponsor a family member to bring him or her to the U.S., having a knowledgeable resource at your disposal can be an incredible relief – and that’s just one more reason to call an immigration lawyer for a free consultation.

10. It’s Free, So Why Not?

When you call to ask us for advice, or to learn more about your options as an immigrant, we just want to help. You don’t have to hire us – we simply want to talk about your specific case, whether you’re facing criminal charges, your green card application was turned down, or you’re trying to find a way to bring your mom, dad or siblings here from another country. We’ll give you the case-specific legal advice you need, no strings attached.

Call us at (832) 742-0444 to schedule your free consultation with a Houston immigration attorney right away – we’ll be happy to provide you with answers to your questions and advice you can use.