Keys to Successful Immigration
Dealing with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) can be intimidating. What follows are some hints and tips to make dealing with USCIS less stressful and more successful.
Keep records of everything
Keep copies of every document you send to USCIS, including supporting documentation—e.g., photocopies of your passport and birth certificate—as well as USCIS forms you submit. Keep the original and copies of every letter or document USCIS sends to you, as well.
Bring records and documentation with you when you go for immigration interviews or visit USCIS
Bring all of your records with you when you go. You do not have to memorize the content of every document, but you should have an idea of the type of information each document contains and know where to find it every time you interact with USCIS—at your immigration interview, on phone calls, and on all other occasions on which you interact with an Immigration Officer.
Mind your manners
No matter how rudely an Immigration Officer treats you, or how poorly he or she understands you, never lose your cool or your patience with any USCIS official. You need to make a good impression at all times, no matter what else occurs.
Be early
Be early for everything. Plan to submit all forms and petitions ahead of the deadline, which will give you a chance to find any missing documentation. Arrive for any appointments or interviews with at least thirty minutes to spare—you do not want to risk missing an appointment or irritating a USCIS official.
Always tell the truth
Even if it seems like the truth will work against you or USCIS will never find out about it, tell the truth. The consequences for lying on any immigration-related documents include deportation and bans on reentering the country—better to deal with whatever it is up front. If you do not know the answer to a question or do not remember, be honest with the Immigration Officer about that as well. Never guess.
Work with a skilled Orange County immigration lawyer
Seasoned immigration lawyers can ensure that you never miss deadlines, never accidentally omit required forms or fail to pay required fees, and that the Immigration Officer understands your story and works with you.
Respected Orange County immigration lawyers working for you
The skilled immigration lawyers at Wilner & O’Reilly, APLC have dedicated their professional lives to helping immigrants of all stripes fulfill their goals, whether that means a brief stay as a working professional or permanent immigration and naturalization. With conveniently-located offices in Cerritos, Santa Ana, and Riverside as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, they are available to help you address any immigration issue you may face.
Contact us today by phone at 888.862.5905 or through our website to arrange an initial consultation about your cased with a dedicated, caring Orange County immigration attorney.
Consultation Information for Immigration Law Cases
Scheduling a consultation with a Los Angeles immigration lawyer is the first step in determining how to best handle an immigration case. A qualified attorney is well versed in the complexities of immigration law and can offer an honest assessment of your individual situation and immigration needs.
What to expect from the initial consultation
An initial consultation with Los Angeles immigration lawyers involves a frank discussion of your current situation and immigration history. It is important to be completely honest and share all pertinent information. Failure to do so may negatively impact the outcome of your case.
After reviewing details of the case, a knowledgeable attorney should offer a comprehensive explanation of the process behind each strategy, the expected outcomes, and any potential challenges or concerns. The attorney should also address any questions you may have about the case, including questions about fees and related costs involved in the application process.
What to bring to the consultation
It is helpful to bring all available and relevant documentation. Doing so ensures the case is properly assessed and helps to expedite the process. An immigration lawyer in Los Angeles can provide a specific list of requirements. Generally, however, it is helpful to bring the following:
• Legal documents and identification (including passports, driver’s license, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage and divorce certificates).
• Immigration documents (including all papers and notices received from USCIS or related government agencies, permanent resident cards, work permits, visas, I-94 records, and copies of immigration petitions or applications).
• Criminal justice information (if applicable include information regarding prior arrests and criminal history in the U.S. or abroad, as well as any notices involving immigration court).
Who to bring to the consultation
If you are unable or uncomfortable communicating in English it is advisable to bring an interpreter. It is also important that sponsors attend the meeting. This might include spouses, fiancés or family members for a family petition or employers for employment based applications.
A recognized leader in immigration law
The skilled legal team at Wilner & O'Reilly utilizes years of experience, specialized insight, and strategic relationships to help clients realize their immigration goals. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
Wilner & O'Reilly, APLC
17777 Center Court Drive #200
Cerritos, CA 90703
(562) 207-6789
Obtaining Permanent USA Residence for Your Spouse
If you are a legal permanent resident of the United States, naturally you would want your spouse to be one, too. Listed below are the mandatory requirements you need to fulfill to obtain the permanent residence for your spouse:
- You should be a permanent resident of USA who is at least 18 years old
- You should have a residence in USA
- Make sure you have a financial sponsor for your spouse (You can be one if you satisfy all the criteria expected to be a financial sponsor)
- Submit a I-130 petition to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
- Ensure a completed petition is signed and submitted with the appropriate fees
- Send all required evidences to avoid delay
If your status is shifted from permanent resident to U.S citizen while your spouse waits for the visa, upgrade your spouse’s visa classification, which will advance the processing of your petition by notifying the appropriate department of your naturalization
For efficient and hassle free way to understand the U.S. immigration process, contact an experienced Philadelphia immigration attorney who is up to date with the immigration laws.
Understanding Your Right to Counsel
Anyone who has seen a television crime drama is familiar with the Miranda rights read to suspects at the time of arrest. But even if you know you have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, it is important to understand the reasons behind these rightsand how to properly use them as of the first moment of arrest.
The right to remain silent
Individuals who are innocent of any crime often waive the right to remain silent. They believe their innocence can protect them, and they can secure a quicker release by helpfully answering any questionsand even volunteering information to move the process forward. Having one of our Atlanta immigration lawyers is your best protection in ensuring your statements are not used against you.
It is important to understand that anyone who has been arrested is believed by law enforcement to be guilty. One wrong statement can easily lead to a stressful criminal processand potentially even a trial where your words are used as evidence against you.
Most people are not aware that a 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision requires individuals to implicitly state their intention to remain silent. The act of simply remaining silent does not stop police questioningand if you just answer one question, your right to remain silent ends.
Your right to an attorney
By exercising your right to an attorney, you ensure all your rights are protected. Your attorney accompanies you throughout the criminal process, ensuring all questions are legal, advising you before you respond, and representing you through all courtroom processes.
A skilled Atlanta drug crime attorney or immigration lawyer can often help innocent individuals secure release as early as possible. And when the case progresses through the court system, an experienced lawyer can offer important advice on everything from how to secure a bail bond to when to negotiate a plea agreement.
Powerful legal help to protect your rights throughout the Atlanta metropolitan area
The U.S. Constitution provides rights that can make a dramatic difference to any criminal case. The Ibrahim Law Firm LLC provides guidance and dedicated representation in criminal defense matters and helps protect the rights of individuals in the Atlanta metropolitan area and throughout Georgia.