The average person is taken aback by the expense of hiring an immigration solicitor. While not everyone can afford it, there are others whose requirements are met by this service. You should seek the advice of an immigration solicitor if you find yourself in legal trouble. For other people, that means the difference between deportation and the ability to stay in the country permanently. The typical price of an immigration solicitor may leave some people wondering if there are less expensive alternatives. It’s not necessary for everyone to retain legal counsel. The good news is that there is a wide range of possibilities to choose from.
Offences That Can Result In Criminal Prosecution
Deportation of a noncitizen may occur after a conviction for a certain crime. No of how long you’ve been a resident of the United States, this holds true for all visa and permanent residence card holders. Even without a conviction, you might face severe immigration penalties, including deportation. This is due to the fact that a noncitizen’s actions alone may render them inadmissible or subject to deportation. Although drug trafficking and prostitution are two examples, other forms of illegal behaviour might be just as dangerous.
Breaking the Immigration Law
If you have broken immigration laws in the past, you should hire an immigration solicitor. In order to enter the country illegally, one must first pass through an immigration inspection. Visa overstays, marriage fraud, and false statements on applications are also examples of immigration infractions. Some relatives of U.S. citizens can overcome a visa overstay on their own, while others will need legal representation. The consequences of breaking immigration law in the United States range from minor fines to permanent expulsion. As a result, hiring an immigration solicitor is usually worth the money.
Additional Difficult Circumstances
Occasionally, life throws you a curveball. Cases involving a foreign ambassador changing their immigration status to permanent resident or a naturalisation candidate with a break in their continuous stay are particularly complex. In most cases, it is desirable to consult a solicitor in these situations, and the expense of hiring an immigration solicitor is warranted.
In reality, though, not every attorney is created equal. There are both competent and incompetent attorneys out there, just as in any other field. Some lawyers dabble in many specialities. A lawyer who specialises in criminal defence or personal injury may also practise immigration law as a side hustle.
Legal professionals that excel in immigration law usually only handle cases involving immigration law. The legislation surrounding immigration is intricate. As a result, top attorneys tend to specialise in just one or two subsets of immigration law, such as representing clients in deportation cases or pleading their clients’ cases for asylum. That’s why it’s crucial that you check the facts.
Average Fees for an Immigration Attorney
There is room for variation in the fees charged by lawyers. You can find those that charge by the hour as well as those that charge per project (such as naturalisation applications). There might be a preliminary consultation followed by service delivery. Further, the solicitor will want compensation for any out-of-pocket costs paid while working on the case. Finding the least-priced lawyer is certainly not the best tactic, but no one wants to shell out for the most expensive one either.
Cost of the First Consultation
The initial meeting with many lawyers is either free or very inexpensive. While the meeting might take place in a physical location, it is more likely to take place digitally (through Skype, Zoom, etc.) or over the phone. Between 30 and 60 minutes might be allotted for the first appointment. You can assess your case’s viability and the lawyer’s credibility in this setting. It’s a chance for the solicitor to promote their practice. An initial consultation often costs less than $150. Some lawyers, however, insist on charging their standard fees.
The Cost of Legal Representation
You might expect to spend more once your lawyer has assessed the situation and determined what needs to be done and how they can assist you. Depending on the terms of your agreement, you may be charged per hour or for a certain period of time. The cost of hiring a solicitor might vary widely based on the individual case and the state of the legal market. It’s a good idea to do some research and get in touch with many legal professionals.
Below are some examples of fees commonly charged by immigration law firms:
Cost of Sponsoring a Relative for a Green Card: $1,500 to $5,000
Cost of a Status Change Application: $2,000 – $5,000
A naturalisation or citizenship application might cost between $500 and $2,600.
Cost of a New Green Card: $300-$700
Estimated Asylum Processing Time: $1,000 – $7,000
A Defense Against Deportation Can Cost You Between $4,000 and $12,000. (and higher if the case gets more complicated)
If you have a criminal record or immigration issues, all of these costs will increase. USCIS filing fees, which may be hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the form, are not included in the aforementioned immigration lawyer expenses. An immigration attorney might cost anything from $150 to $300 per hour.