Lawyers and Immigration Process Part Four
Without a driver's license, with an expired passport and only a copy of social security card that says valid only with employment authorization, you've got problems with transportation, employment, housing and lots of other things too numerous to mention. A lot of these problems kicked in with earlier attempts at immigration reform and 9/11.
Finding a good lawyer that will handle your case and not bankrupt you in the process is difficult if your case is not completely vanilla, in which case you probably don't need a lawyer, but you definitely need someone who can read English, follow instructions, and respond in a timely manner.
People in a bad way financially with immigration problems can go into a death spin of sorts. Lots of other things get paid for before legal bills are even considered and non profit organizations seem to be limited in what they can do and waiting lists are long.
The fees for filing paperwork aren't cheap and there are some lawyers that are either bottom feeders content to prey on folks or unable to afford taking cases without large up front fees. Immigration law is way too complicated for what should be a really regular process. Economic refugees/immigrants may outnumber political refugees but the difference between the two groups can often seem a little sketchy.
The common refrain is "why can't they follow the law like I or my parents did." If it was only that simple.
Being out of status means you can go home, but they probably won't let you back in the country.
Marriages fail way too often. A marriage with children and immigration issues can be a real roller coaster ride.
One way or another folks up against it need resources, an advocate, and it really helps to have money and a job.
One of the more pernicious aspects of the law which might seem good but sometimes isn't is the "free advice about immigration problems" given on Spanish TV and Radio. My personal experience is that is of limited use and may be a money pit.
It is possible that receipts kept by Patty for cash paid to two different attorneys to pay to complete forms that may have been completed but never sent to the INS or lost were instrumental in eventually getting her case reopened.
I'm a little circumspect these days when I hear rants about immigration. It's complicated.
Finding a good lawyer that will handle your case and not bankrupt you in the process is difficult if your case is not completely vanilla, in which case you probably don't need a lawyer, but you definitely need someone who can read English, follow instructions, and respond in a timely manner.
People in a bad way financially with immigration problems can go into a death spin of sorts. Lots of other things get paid for before legal bills are even considered and non profit organizations seem to be limited in what they can do and waiting lists are long.
The fees for filing paperwork aren't cheap and there are some lawyers that are either bottom feeders content to prey on folks or unable to afford taking cases without large up front fees. Immigration law is way too complicated for what should be a really regular process. Economic refugees/immigrants may outnumber political refugees but the difference between the two groups can often seem a little sketchy.
The common refrain is "why can't they follow the law like I or my parents did." If it was only that simple.
Being out of status means you can go home, but they probably won't let you back in the country.
Marriages fail way too often. A marriage with children and immigration issues can be a real roller coaster ride.
One way or another folks up against it need resources, an advocate, and it really helps to have money and a job.
One of the more pernicious aspects of the law which might seem good but sometimes isn't is the "free advice about immigration problems" given on Spanish TV and Radio. My personal experience is that is of limited use and may be a money pit.
It is possible that receipts kept by Patty for cash paid to two different attorneys to pay to complete forms that may have been completed but never sent to the INS or lost were instrumental in eventually getting her case reopened.
I'm a little circumspect these days when I hear rants about immigration. It's complicated.
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