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.