Immigration law firms can be stressful, hopeful places. Filled with papers and files; all of which are searching for truth and justice. And yet, most people who find themselves in an immigration law office enter unsure and uncertain of what they will find. Here are 6 simple things that can help make the experience less scary.
- Do your Homework.
We tell kids to do their homework all the time. But we forget that homework is more than just for school. It is for life, too. Much like other professions, lawyers pick areas they wish to practice. Immigration law, however, is complicated and messy. Lots of different court decisions and lots of badly written laws can effect what options a person may or may not have in obtaining an immigration benefit. Removal defense, family or employment based immigration, humanitarian relief cases, federal court litigation and appeals are just a few areas of this multipart field. Taking time to understand what a certain lawyer does and how they do it is necessary and important.
- Bring all Documents, even those you think are unimportant.
Even the best lawyers are not mind readers or fortune tellers. Immigration attorneys need to see criminal case documents, old immigration paperwork, and anything else that can help them understand what has happened in the past with a specific case. This is because nothing goes away in immigration cases. Each entry and exit from the country, each document that was ever filed with Immigration, every contact with police or immigration officers has the potential to change the outcome of a particular case. All cases are different. Just like two people are not the exact same, their cases are also not identical. Without the proper information, attorneys cannot truly provide an accurate analysis of a matter.
- Tell the truth. The whole truth.
People don’t go to lawyers unless there is a problem. Problems can be terrifying. And having to talk about them can be overwhelming. This is particularly true for someone who has no status and is in the United States without proper documents. But, it has to be done. In order for lawyers to be able to help, they have to know the facts. All of them. The good. The bad. And even the scary.
- Politics, Politics, Politics
Immigration law is political. Most other areas of law do not change because of who is President, who wants to be President or who should not be President. Even though more than 10 years have gone waiting for Congress to pass Immigration Reform, it still has not happened. The politics of how these laws are enforced and prioritized has a very real impact on day to day cases. Because of reality, simple cases can become complicated and complicated cases can, sometimes, become simple. Time, circumstances, and sometimes the politics of the moment can change the way a case ends up. Patience can sometimes pay off. The trick is to know when to wait and when waiting is not an option. Opportunities and dangers can only be anticipated once the politics are understood.
- Find a Babysitter
Children require attention. But when legal matters are being discussed, distractions are unhelpful. Important, potentially life-altering decisions are made in law offices. Attorneys need to understand precise facts in a short amount of time and clients need to understand legal terminology and how it impacts their lives. Children in such a mix can cause attentions to shift and create confusion. This can only add to stress. Leaving the children at home ensures that serious matters can be fully discussed and the children can remain happily in their familiar environment.
- Feel safe and don’t miss your appointment
Having a winning lottery ticket but not checking the numbers leaves only a piece of paper. Making an appointment and not showing up is the same thing. In order to be able to take advantage of opportunities or avoid risks, they have to be understood. Sometimes the fear of the unknown is worse than what actually is. Everything that is discussed with an attorney is confidential so there is no reason to be worried. Being informed before an emergency strikes can lead to a better result or it can prevent the emergency altogether. So, don’t put off understanding important legal matters, make an appointment and then be sure to keep it.
A little effort can go a long way. Understanding the role of the attorney client relationship and what all it can and cannot do can help to make crossing into the world of a law firm much easier.