Forms, Fees and Addresses

• An immigration lawyer not only advises which forms are necessary for your case, but will complete, pay and submit them for you. Immigration paperwork can oftentimes be confusing, with necessary documents and application forms required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the U.S. Department of State (USDS), the U.S. Department of Labor (USDL) and sometimes even the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS). Depending on the specific case, some procedures require require forms to be sponsored by an employer or sponsor on behalf of the applicant, and an immigration lawyer can make sure that these are done correctly by the third party. A lawyer will also make sure that every document needed is included in the application packet before sending it, thus removing fear and guesswork from the process.
  
  

Loopholes

• Immigration law changes on a daily basis. The USCIS, USDS and USDHS all reform and amend policy and application procedures, and it is the job of an immigration lawyer to stay up to date on these changes. Staying up to date on the procedural changes can present loopholes that may help your case that are nearly impossible to come by or are easily overlooked in the case of self-filing.
  
  

Expiration

• Those seeking immigration help while living on an expired visa should seek immediate consultation from a lawyer. Overstaying a visa in the United States is a serious offense and can result in fines, deportation and denial of future visas for re-entry. An immigration lawyer can present your specific case to an immigration court or, in some cases, file a change-of-immigration status on your behalf or recruit a sponsor, depending on your situation.
  
  

Plan of Action

• As a hired lawyer will know your exact situation, your history, family, careers and moral character, he will be able to suggest a personal plan of action based on your given situation. Oftentimes there are more than one way to reach the same ends in regard to immigration.
  
  

Support

• Aside from knowing the legal loopholes, regulations, forms and fees to help guide you through the process, having an immigration lawyer adds a level of moral support. Immigration can be a lonely process, and a lawyer acts as a partner in that process. A lawyer can also provide appeal support in the case that your petition or applications are denied. He will be able to stand by you and present your case in front of an immigration court.