Immigration Law

North Carolina

Asylum

<p>U.S. immigration law places a high priority on refugee protection despite varying degrees of political opinion. If you have a well-founded fear of returning to your home country, the best asylum lawyer near you can help you determine whether you qualify for legal status.</p><p>Individuals who fear returning to their home country can apply for immigration status in three ways:</p><ul><li>Asylum;</li><li>Withholding of removal/removal proceedings; and</li><li>Protection under the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT).</li></ul><h2>What Is an Asylum Lawyer?</h2><p>Refugee and asylum law is among the most dynamic and nuanced areas of immigration law. The experience of a knowledgeable asylum attorney will enable them to provide you with the most up-to-date information about the conditions in your home country, U.S. immigration services, and the latest asylum court decisions in your region.</p><h2>What Does an Asylum Attorney Do?</h2><p>For many people, one of the most difficult parts of the immigration court process is gathering evidence of past persecution or fear of future persecution to present to the court. Experienced asylum attorneys near you can help you determine the best sources of this evidence and assist you to collect it. Evidence is especially important for applicants who have been in the United States for many years and/or may not have many ties to their homeland.</p><p>Consult an asylum lawyer if you fear returning to your home country because of persecution.</p><h2>When to Hire an Asylum Lawyer</h2><p>Considering hiring an <a href="https://lawrina.org/lawyers/immigration-law/">immigration lawyer</a> is not compulsory when confronting an immigration issue, but it does come with many benefits. It can be difficult to navigate the U.S. immigration system alone because it is so complicated. In addition to their extensive knowledge of U.S. immigration law, an immigration lawyer has previous experience in the immigration system which they can use to assist you.</p><p>A U.S. immigration lawyer can assist with a wide range of immigration issues, but there are several situations where they are highly recommended, including the following.</p><h3>If you are not sure about your immigration options</h3><p>Choosing which immigration option is best for you is the first step of traveling to the U.S. U.S. immigration options include temporary and permanent visas, visas for working, studying, joining family, visiting, and much more.</p><p>The best immigration route for you will depend on what you plan to do in the U.S., how long you plan to stay, and how you can meet the requirements.</p><p>Several types of visas and green cards may be available to you. A lawyer who specializes in immigration can help you navigate the vast number of options and requirements. They can review your circumstances and goals, and can advise you on the most viable immigration options available to you. You can also find out from an immigration lawyer if you qualify for any type of U.S. immigration route and how to apply, as well as what your next step should be.</p><p>You will have a much higher chance of success if you choose the right immigration route for your situation.</p><h3>If an application overwhelms you</h3><p>Choosing your immigration route is the next step. There are different ways to apply for immigration. You may need a sponsor and will need to submit lots of complex paperwork and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms, and you may even have to go through an interview.</p><p>It can be confusing to know which documents you need and how to submit them, resulting in paperwork mistakes. This can be stressful, costly, and time-consuming.</p><p>An immigration lawyer can minimize the stress of an immigration application, save you time and money, and increase your chances of success.</p><p>You can get help from an experienced immigration lawyer by:</p><ol><li>Providing support to your U.S. sponsor with any necessary petitions and paperwork;</li><li>Assisting you (and your family members, if applicable) with gathering any necessary documents and putting together a comprehensive portfolio of evidence;</li><li>Communicate on your behalf with USCIS about the progress of your application;</li><li>Answering your questions about the application process and helping you prepare for any interviews you may need to attend; and</li><li>Ensure your application forms and supporting documents are accurate and error free.</li></ol><p>Your immigration application is more likely to be accepted if you hire a good immigration attorney. Your immigration lawyer will ensure that you have the best chance of success.</p><h2>How Do I Choose an Asylum Attorney?</h2><ul><li>You can ask friends and other contacts for referrals to immigration lawyers;</li><li>Contact the Lawyer Bar Association;</li><li>You can conduct online immigration lawyer research;</li><li>Get in touch with prospective immigration lawyers; and</li><li>Interview potential immigration lawyers.</li></ul><p>Don't accept legal services from non-lawyers. Your lawyer should provide you with a written agreement that details the work they will do for you, as well as the fees and costs you will need to pay.</p><h2>How Much Does an Asylum Lawyer Cost?</h2><p>The cost of legal services varies widely. A lawyer who helps file a family-based immigration petition will be much less expensive than one who defends your deportation (removal) case.</p><p>The following are some typical legal fees:</p><ul><li>Employment-Based Petitions: $1,500-7,000;</li><li>Asylum Application: $1,000-6,000;</li><li>Adjustment of Status Application: $600-2,500;</li><li>Citizenship/Naturalization Application: $500-1,500;</li><li>Application for Employment Authorization (Work Permit): $300-600;</li><li>Family-Based Green Card Petition: $800-3,000; and</li><li>Deportation Defense: $2,000-15,000 (more if court appearances are numerous or complex defenses are used).</li></ul><h2>Do Asylum Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?</h2><p>Most lawyers offer free or low-cost consultations. The first consultation usually lasts 30-60 minutes. This will let you measure your confidence in the lawyer.</p>

Deportation Defense

Student Visas

Marriage

Work Visas

Visitor Visas

Green Cards

Immigration Appeals

Family Visas

Investment Visas

Citizenship

<div class="raw-html-embed"><p>An immigration lawyer is someone who can provide counsel about legal rights or responsibilities associated with immigration, who can try to prevent someone from being deported to their home country, or represent their client in court where immigration matters are concerned.</p>
<h2>What Does an Immigration Attorney Do?</h2>
<p>An immigration lawyer focuses on immigration law, which handles concerns of foreign workers who need visas to work legally in the United States, individuals who are seeking permanent residence in the United States or are having legal issues with their legal status, immigrants who are trying to get citizenship or those who are facing government deportation and need help collecting the necessary documents. They also help those who want to become citizens and make sure they follow all the rules.</p>
<h2>When to Hire a Immigration Lawyer?</h2>
<p>There are many situations where you might consider hiring an immigration lawyer or at the very least getting a consultation. You should consult with an attorney who specializes in immigration law under the following circumstances:</p>
<ul><li>You don't know whether you're eligible for a green card or an immigration benefit.</li><li>You're requesting something like asylum that involves immigration authorities.</li><li>You are trying to obtain a green card, citizenship, or immigration benefit, and you need to supply additional evidence.</li><li>You need immediate, emergency assistance involving an immigration matter.</li><li>You received notification the authorities are starting deportation proceedings against you.</li><li>You have been deported from the U.S. but want to return.</li><li>You have an immigration application that was refused or denied in the past, but you still want a green card or citizenship.</li><li>You have been convicted of a crime and are trying to prevent deportation from the United States, or you are trying to enter the United States.</li><li>You want to move to the United States for work.</li><li>You are engaged or now married to a U.S. citizen and need to change your citizenship.</li><li>You need an investment-based visa.</li></ul>
<h2>How Do I Choose an Immigration Attorney?</h2>
<p>When evaluating an attorney, you should ask many questions during the consultation. Ask about not just the fee structure but what their experience is. Even in the world of immigration law, someone who focuses primarily on green card applications for people working in the United States may not have experience handling a deportation proceeding. You should find attorneys that specialize in situations just like yours.</p>
<p>Cheaper is not always better. Beware of attorneys that charge very low rates. You might luck out and find an immigration attorney near you who does not charge for the consultation, a great place to save money, but long-term you don't want to go with the cheapest option just because you want to save money. A single error in your forms can result in a denied green card, denied citizenship, or deportation.</p>
<h2>What Is the Immigration Lawyer's Average Cost?</h2>
<p>Immigration law attorneys near you are often the most expensive type of lawyers. They know how challenging it can be to obtain the legal right to live or work in the United States, and they traditionally charge a flat rate rather than an hourly fee. This means, during your consultation, they will look over your legal status and explain how much they charge for cases and concerns like yours.</p>
<p>A flat fee can work in your favor because the attorney will charge the same amount even if it takes long hours, months of extra work on your immigration application, or anything else. You pay the same rate regardless.</p>
<p>The average rates for immigration lawyers near you are as follows:</p>
<ul><li>A traditional visa for someone you're engaged to can cost anywhere between $750 and $2,000. This does not include changing the status once you are married.</li><li>A marriage-based green card can cost anywhere between $800 and $4,000.</li><li>If you are in the middle of deportation proceedings in immigration court, the average cost will be based on the expected work associated with your proceedings such as filing motions, appearing in court, and so forth. This can be anywhere between $1,500 or upwards of $10,000. If you end up appealing your case, this might come at an additional cost.</li></ul>
<h2>Do Immigration Attorneys Usually Charge for Consultations?</h2>
<p>It is quite common for an immigration lawyer near you to charge for a consultation. This might be anywhere from $100 to a few hundred dollars. It depends entirely on the attorney.</p>
<p>If you just want legal advice before deciding whether to move forward with proceedings, the law firm will typically charge you for the consultation, assuming you get all your immigration questions answered, and then lay out their fees if you move forward with the immigration process.</p></div>

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North Carolina Asylum Lawyers