Millions of foreign nationals or non-US citizens deal with various types of immigration issues each year, from getting a visa for a temporary visit to getting permission to live and work in the US permanently. Often they need help from a US immigration lawyer to reach their goals. Being prepared to meet with your attorney is crucial to making the process go quickly and smoothly. Here's what you can do:
- Prepare some information in advance. Your lawyer may have sent you a questionnaire or form asking for basic information like your full name, address, home telephone number, and employer's name and phone number. Fill it out as best you can and bring it with you to the meeting, or if she asks you to, mail it back to her before the meeting
- If you didn't get a form to fill out, write down that information and have it handy in case the attorney asks for it
- Write down any dates or events important to your case, including as many facts as you can remember and the names of anyone who may have information that may help your case, like witnesses or family members
- Make copies of important immigration-related documents, such as your birth certificate, visa applications you've completed, letters from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and any documents you were given when you entered the US
- If you're not sure if a document is important or not, make a copy and bring it anyway. Your lawyer knows what she needs and what she can use
- Organize everything in a folder or envelope. You won't lose or forget anything, and it shows your attorney you're serious about your case and are willing and able to help
- If necessary, make arrangements for time off work and child care well in advance of your scheduled meeting. Also make arrangements for getting to and from the appointment
- Do some research on your own. Read through some of the immigration materials on Lawyers.com and learn as much as you can about the immigration laws involved in your case. It will help you and your lawyer have a meaningful discussion about your case
- You may have talked to the attorney on the phone at least once. Write down any questions you haven't already asked her. You want to know what kind of experience she has in immigration cases like yours; how long she's been doing immigration work; how many attorneys in the law firm work on immigration cases; how long will it take to finish your case
- If you're unsure about your English communication skills, arrange to have someone go to the meeting with you. Call the attorney ahead of time and ask if someone can come with you. More likely than not the attorney or someone in her office is fluent in your native language and can help with translating
- Know beforehand if the attorney you're meeting charges a fee for the first meeting or initial consultation. Many lawyers don't charge anything to talk about a case for the first time, but some do. If the attorney you're meeting charges a fee, make sure you bring a credit card or check book to pay her
Being well prepared to meet your attorney can have a big impact your case. The attorney can give you a good idea of what can be done in your case, and because you have the information needed, he can move quickly to get things started. Make the most of it and get a good start on solving your immigration problems.