Being a US citizen is one of the greatest honors anyone can receive. It’s the essence of the “American Dream” and a large part of what makes this country such a wonderful place to live.
Over 900,000 people became US citizens in one of the naturalization ceremonies in the past year. However, not everyone is eligible to become a US citizen. There are various pathways to citizenship, each with its eligibility requirements.
If you’re interested in becoming a US citizen, having an immigration lawyer for citizenship with experience is essential.
Assess Your Needs
Assessing your needs is the first step in finding the right attorney for your immigration issues. Do you need assistance with a green card or visa application, deportation defense, or citizenship?
If you are looking into a visa, for example, you can look into this website for eb3 visas. It is important to understand exactly what the process entails and the legal implications of your decision before selecting an immigration lawyer.
Identifying your needs will help you narrow down your lawyer search and choose the most appropriate counsel. Consider your timeframe, budget, and whether you need an attorney who specializes in a specific area of immigration law.
Research Lawyers and Success Rates
With the rise of fraudulent or incompetent lawyers, a thorough assessment of the lawyer should always take place. This means researching their creditability and investigating their success rates. Success rates will provide potential clients with a better understanding of the lawyer’s ability to secure a successful result. It’s also important to look at the specialisation of legal experts you’re researching. If you’re based in Florida for instance and want to gain entry to Canada, you’re going to want to find an expert who can help with attaining Canadian citizenship in Orlando, FL rather than one located elsewhere who specialises in US citizenship for example.
You should ask for references and reviews. This helps you get an idea of the quality of service provided and if the lawyer specializes in citizenship cases. Background on the best immigration lawyer should also include:
- qualifications
- licenses
- any legal disciplinary actions
Interviewing the lawyer is also key, as it will allow the client to determine the lawyer’s passion, knowledge level, and interest in the case. Someone like Giselle Ayala for example, knows how important it is making sure the client feels safe. The client must feel comfortable with the lawyer before moving forward. Taking the time to properly research can increase the chances of a success rate.
Initial Consultation
In the initial consultation, an immigration attorney will typically ask about your background and family history. They will ask about your current shifting or work status as well as other factors such as:
- education
- age
- health
It is important to be honest and provide accurate information. If you don’t have all the required information at the time of the consultation, the lawyer should be informed. After completing the initial consultation, the lawyer can explain the available options and guide the process for applying for citizenship.
Discuss Fees
When researching, make sure that you look at the fees associated with the lawyer, not just the services they provide. Generally, fees can range from a few hundred to thousands of dollars depending on the complexity of your case and the experience of the lawyer.
You can expect to pay more for an experienced lawyer, who can provide more in-depth analysis and advice. Be sure to ask your lawyer about any payment plans they offer, as this can often take some of the burden off of your pocket. Ultimately, the fees you pay are worth it if the lawyer can successfully handle your case.
Get the Right Immigration Lawyer for Citizenship
An immigration lawyer for citizenship helps make the route to citizenship a smooth and efficient process. Not getting help now could result in delays and costly mistakes. Working with a lawyer ensures that you have the best chance of a successful application.
For more articles besides this guide to hire an immigration lawyer, visit our blog.
