The barriers to gaining a green card or citizenship in the United States are significant. On average, there are nearly four million people waiting for a quarter-of-a-million green cards in any given year. An immigration attorney can often improve applicant’s chances for remaining in the United States, no matter the context.
Are you looking for reputable Chicago immigration lawyers? In this article, we’ll cover how to find the best immigration lawyer in Chicago by covering important qualities and traits that you should look for.
Check Referrals
One of the top ways to find an immigration law office in Chicago, IL, is by asking for referrals. Whether you know someone who sought asylum or help with any other aspect of the immigration process, that first-hand feedback can be invaluable.
Your referral can also describe his or her experience dealing with an immigration attorney. If they have a positive experience and outcome with that law group, you will likely have a good experience as well.
Don’t Go With the Cheapest Option
Attorneys are notoriously costly to hire, but that is because their services are often invaluable. Legal fees should be one consideration that you keep in mind, but choosing the cheapest lawyer could leave you with legal counsel that is under-experienced or underqualified.
These individuals may not devote their full attention to immigration law cases, whether helping immigrants directly or the companies that employ them. Or they may overlook their schedule with clients. In general, attorneys who charge more generally do so because they have experience and a track record of success.
Hire a Lawyer Who Speaks Your Language
Are you looking for a personal Visa? If English is not your native language, that could be a barrier to enjoying the benefits of quality legal counsel. Certain things can be lost in translation that could hurt your case.
Immigration law is complicated. There are many words that fall under legal jargon that a non-native speaker may not understand. One way you can avoid miscommunication is by hiring someone who speaks your native language so they can guide you through the often complicated immigration process without confusion.
If you have a strong grasp of English, this extra step may not be needed. If you are looking for a bilingual attorney, ask around in those ethnic communities.
Check Online Reviews
Online reviews often offer detailed and non-biased feedback from past clients. Reading quotes on online review sites can help you understand how the lawyer treats his or her clients. Look for those details as well as feedback on whether the law office delivers favorable results to clients.
Remember, even the best immigration attorneys cannot help all their clients gain citizenship or other forms of immigration help. What you are looking for is an attorney who is hard-working, knowledgeable, and responsive to their client’s needs.
Type of Experience
Law firms and attorneys often specialize in different types of immigration law services. As part of your search, be sure to understand the different types of immigration services that you need.
Your best bet is probably to work with a firm that specializes in immigration services. Immigration law is complicated. Immigration law is constantly changing, so you need a legal representative who keeps up with each passing law.
If the attorney says he or she focuses on immigration law, dig deeper. See how long they have practiced immigration law. Several years of experience or longer would be ideal.
In general, the more experience, the better. An experienced immigration attorney has seen a wide range of situations that could potentially help you reach your goals.
Excellent Communication Skills
You don’t want to be left out of the process because your attorney does not have excellent communication skills. Legal language can be complicated, so you want to work with someone who has the patience and ability to communicate each development and step clearly.
This can be particularly important if English is not your first language. Certain phrases and legal terms could be misinterpreted due to language barriers.
The attorney’s paralegal should also be willing to communicate effectively and reply promptly to your questions.
Perseverance
It always helps to have an attorney who will not rush the process. Immigration law generally moves slowly and requires patience on both the attorney’s and client’s sides.
Things don’t always go to plan, but the long-term goals should stay the same. Along the way, you want an immigration law firm that understands the process and is willing to persevere on your behalf.
An Eye for Details
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other immigration related government agencies are sticklers for detail. A misstep could mean significant delays of several months or longer. This is one reason why your attorney should pay attention to every detail.
One way you can ensure that your lawyer is up to this task is by asking how many clients they have. A quality attorney should not take on more clients than he or she can reasonably handle.
They are the ones who will notice mistakes in paperwork and correct them before it is submitted. This can save you considerable time and money in the long run.
Find the Best Chicago Immigration Lawyers Today
By keeping these important qualities in mind, you can be confident that you are on the right path as you search through Chicago immigration lawyers. With immigration law, there’s little room for errors.
Our founding attorney, Richard Hanus, helps businesses and individuals achieve their goals through responsive counsel. All of our clients are treated with sensitivity and compassion. Our team speaks English, Polish, Hebrew, Spanish, Russian, Lithuanian, and Tagalog.
Contact our Chicago office today. We look forward to helping you reach your immigration goals.