Boston Immigration Law Information Center
Seeking assistance from a qualified immigration lawyer in the greater Boston area?
The U.S immigration system is complex and ever-changing, and includes rules that govern admission, temporary and permanent stays in the U.S., removal proceedings, adjustment of status, citizenship, and detention. The procedure for obtaining legal immigration status in this country may depend on multiple factors, such as whether you are eligible for a form of relief, how you entered the country, if you have an eligible petitioner who can file an application on your behalf, and/or if you are subject to one of the many statutory bars. For these reasons, it is important to hire an attorney who can screen your case, analyze the issues you may face, assist you to support your claim, and effectively represent you before a consular officer, adjudicating officer, or immigration judge.
In what types of situations should I seek advice from an immigration attorney?
- You need assistance applying for a visa, green card, or U.S. citizenship
- You are facing the threat of deportation or forced removal from the United States
- You are detained and would like to request bond or relief from removal
- Your entrance or stay in this country is employment-based, but your employer was not able to obtain a visa or green card for you
- You are an international student on an F-1 and you want to transfer to another university
- Your residence in the United States is contingent on a marriage, but you and your spouse have divorced
- You have fled your country and fear returning due to past harm or fear of future harm
- You have been charged with a crime and are not sure how it will impact your immigration status
- Your relative in a country overseas is seeking entrance to the United States on the basis of refugee status
- The previous applications that you have filed have been denied
- You would like to appeal a decision by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding your immigrant status
- The immigration judge denied your case and you would like to appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA)
- You have tried completing the immigration process on your own but have experienced difficulties
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. If you have additional questions, you should consider speaking with an immigration lawyer.
Can I file the appropriate immigration paperwork on my own?
It is possible to go through the immigration process without the assistance of an attorney by completing and filing the appropriate forms issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or by applying for relief with the immigration judge if you are in removal proceedings. Every immigration case is different, and in most cases, the process is quite complicated. Without an attorney who is familiar with U.S. immigration law, you may be confused about how to fill out the form or what supporting documents to submit; could miss a deadline or a scheduled appointment; be unprepared for an interview or court hearing; or incur unnecessary delays. As a result, a permanent stay in this country could turn into immediate removal. On the other hand, if you seek the assistance of an attorney, you are much more likely to process your paperwork in an effective manner.
