Immigration laws are constantly changing and evolving, making it difficult to understand what you need to do to be successful. That’s why it’s so important to hire an immigration paralegal who can make sure that your needs are met, whether you’re trying to bring your spouse over from another country or you’re trying to have your child study abroad. It’s always good to work with an immigration paralegal as soon as possible because every minute counts when it comes to these things.
What Is A Paralegal?
A paralegal is a legal assistant who performs tasks not requiring the expertise or responsibilities that an attorney would typically do. There are four types of law firms and they each have different positions which require different levels of education and experience. The first type is a general law firm which requires at least a bachelor’s degree and preferably experience working in the industry to land the position. The second type is corporate law, these lawyers specialize in big business laws such as taxes, partnerships, acquisitions, and more. Corporate lawyers typically require their applicants to have either a graduate degree or at least three years of experience practicing law within two years for one or more years before applying for this position. The third type is a litigation law firm that focuses on personal injury cases, class action lawsuits, and other civil matters. Litigation attorneys generally need to have either completed a JD or LLM program followed by practicing for 2-3 years with another 3-5 years of in-house experience. Lastly, there are solo practitioners whose primary focus is on family law but may also offer services like immigration work. These attorneys will be licensed but will also need to complete additional training because of the specialization involved.
What Does An Immigration Paralegal Do?
Immigration law can be quite complex, and someone with expertise must be working on the case. This person is often referred to as an immigration paralegal. Typically, they work closely with lawyers in their field and have training in immigration law so that they can help prepare paperwork for the case. They are also responsible for collecting information about asylum seekers so that there are no gaps or missteps in the case. Without this person, many people would not know where to turn to or how to pursue their legal options as a refugee or asylum seekers in another country. In many cases, these individuals are fleeing persecution at home because of their race, religion, nationality, or political opinion. These people must find safety somewhere else because it is illegal to send them back to their home country if they face certain risks upon return. An immigrant paralegal will make sure all of the necessary steps are taken before finalizing the process.
Where Can You Find One?
One such resource is the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Another organization that may be able to help you is the Department of Labor. If you can’t find the legal representation you need, it might be worth searching through several sources to increase your chances. You should always ask yourself how much control and autonomy you want to have over your lawyer; there are many ways in which they operate. However, keep in mind that just because one lawyer isn’t right for you doesn’t mean another won’t work out better. With so many potential lawyers and organizations out there it shouldn’t be hard to find someone who will meet your needs while respecting your schedule and desired outcome.
Find other law firms that offer immigration services online or from the AILA site.
When Should You Contact A Lawyer?
When dealing with immigration, it is important to work with a lawyer as early as possible. When applying for a visa or another immigration status, a lawyer can help you prepare the correct paperwork and verify that you meet all the requirements. For example, if you are applying for residency through your U.S. citizen spouse, your lawyer will be able to help you determine whether you need a co-sponsor and file all the necessary paperwork correctly and on time.
Additionally, when working on applications such as marriage or green card petitions, your lawyer can provide counseling and guidance throughout the process while avoiding any mistakes that might disqualify your application.
