My Opinion — Page 3

Why I Do Free Consultations

February 15, 2013 by Matthew

A lot of people are often surprised that I do free consultations. Many immigration lawyers charge consultation fees. One of the reasons that I do free consultations is that I consider my consultations my pro bono work. Rather than take pro bono cases and helping only a couple of people, I provide free consultations to everyone. This permits me to help more people.

I do not look at consultations as just a means for me to obtain a new client. Many of my consultations result in my telling prospective clients that I am unable to help them. Due to the harshness of our immigration laws, many people do not have a means of remaining in the United States. People who enter the United States illegally usually cannot obtain a green card through marriage or any other means. Not all immigrants with convictions that subject them to deportation are eligible for relief. Sometimes people are fighting their removal case for years and do not realize that there is nothing left to do to fight the case.

I do not always make appointments for everyone that calls me for a consultation. Whenever, I get a call for someone looking for a consultation, I screen the call to see if their problem can be resolved over the phone without meeting in person. If I can answer the person’s questions over the phone without them making an appointment to meet me, I will.

CNN Article Shows Importance of Hiring an Immigration Attorney

February 4, 2013 by Matthew

I just read an article on the CNN website. The purpose of the article was to discuss the problems that people who are trying to immigrate to the United States legally are experiencing. One of the examples was a woman who is married to a United States citizen who applied for a green card. After her daughter was born, she traveled to her country so that her daughter could meet her grandparents. When she tried to return to the United States, she was not permitted to enter with her visitor’s visa. Once you apply for a green card, you can no longer enter the United States with a visitor’s visa because you no longer have a visitor’s intent.

What the article fails to mention is that there is a process for an applicant for adjustment of status to travel outside of the United States while their application is pending. Someone in this situation should apply for something called “advance parole.” Had she filed for advance parole before leaving the United States, she would have been allowed back into the country. Unfortunately, too many people foolishly believe that they can do things without an immigration lawyer without realizing the problems that they create for themselves. Because these people tried to do their green card application without a lawyer, their family is now separated.

Republican Achieve Act is Too Complicated

November 30, 2012 by Matthew

This week, the Republicans came up with their alternative to the DREAM Act, which is called the Achieve Act. While I’m impressed that the Republicans have proposed an immigration law that would help people, I think it’s too complicated.

Here are the requirements:

1. Brought to the U.S. before age 14.

2. Not older than 28.

3. Has lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years.

4. No criminal history.

If you meet those requirements, then you can get a W visa to go to college or serve in the military.

If you complete a degree within 6 years or serve for 4 years in the military, then you can get a non-immigrant work visa.

After the 4 years, you could then get a permanent non-immigrant visa that would not enable you to become a U.S. citizen.

My biggest problem with the Achieve Act is that with 3 tiers, it’s too complicated. You really need to be a lawyer to figure this out. Of course, I’m not going to be too critical of the Republicans. At least, they are doing something about immigration. Now that the Republicans have put forth their proposal, it’s time for President Obama and the Democrats to push for the DREAM Act and Comprehensive Immigration Reform.