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.
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