Immigration solicitors don’t focus only on the big fights and legally based appeals; they can give advice, assess the strength of individual cases and can even walk you through the application process for a Visa or for hardship benefits while awaiting decision on an asylum claim. Most solicitors who specialise in immigration law will have trained generally too, so it should come as no surprise that they can offer basic advice and information on many topics. Even if they cannot help, they may know someone who does work in the required field.
Immigration Solicitors and Illegal Migrants
In today’s world, illegal immigration is a hot topic. Politically and socially this is a divisive issue that everyone seems to have an opinion on. This doesn’t help the people caught in the middle, though, and this is where the average immigration solicitor comes in. As the rate of refusals rises, many illegal migrants and refugees take their chances with simply hiding out once they enter the country, or their visa expires, for fear they will be sent away. The dangers of this way of living, however, are many and the best thing to do would be to seek an immigration solicitor who can assess the strength of a case for visa application, regularisation, or asylum seeking.
If things take a turn for the worse, an immigration attorney can also inform an individual as to their rights as an illegal migrant within the United States. For example, though the US is at liberty to detain such individuals Articles 3 and 5 of the human rights act state that this must be done in a way that protects the individual physically, mentally and emotionally. Practical support can also be given by a lawyer in the form of aiding communications between the foreign national and their family if needs be. The case of an illegal migrant can be conducted and completed without this aid, of course, but the support provided is often a comfort as well as practically useful.
Legal Aid Immigration Solicitors
It would be reasonable to assume that the services of immigration solicitors would be firmly out of reach for the average refugee or illegal migrant in the US, but there is the matter of legal aid. Legal aid, for those not in the know, refers to a payment made from the public purse in order to supply legal representation or advice to individuals who cannot afford to procure it independently. Illegal migrants are not entitled to legal aid until an asylum claim is made under humanitarian grounds. For those who do not qualify for the help of legal aid immigration solicitors, but lack the money for traditional hourly legal fees, there are those who offer upfront, fixed fees. There are even some firms and individuals who will not charge any fee at all unless they are successful in procuring a Visa, stopping planned deportation, or getting asylum granted. This kind of service means that, at the very least, there is no chance for an individual to be unsuccessful as well as out of pocket. Moreover, fixed fees are also a lot manageable, as you know exactly what you are going to be paying, and thus you do not need to worry about any unexpected costs or enormous bills.
How To Choose The Best Immigration Lawyer
The first thing you need to do is make sure the lawyer you are considering has a considerable degree of experience. Of course, everyone must begin somewhere, but you cannot afford to take risks when it comes to something as vital as a visa application or appeal. The price of the immigration lawyer is also important. You should never simply go for the cheapest lawyer you can find, as you are almost certain to suffer a lack of quality. However, you will no doubt have a budget to stick to, and this is why you are advised to go for a fixed fee service. By doing this, you will know the set amount that you are going to need to pay no matter what, and this will help you to budget effectively.
You also need to ensure that the lawyer is easy to communicate with, and that you are going to receive regular updates about the progress of your case. You will want someone who values honesty too. After all, the worst thing you can do is get your hopes up about securing a visa if the chances are unlikely. Last but not least, read reviews to ensure the lawyer is credible and has a good reputation.