Abraham Lincoln coined the adage about the person who represents himself in a legal matter has a fool for a lawyer. A complicated regulatory structure, and precise analysis of an individual's factual circumstances within that regulatory maze, creates hazards for individuals who decide to make the very important decisions that are involved in immigration and status themselves, without the benefit of knowledge and experience.

Persons who file their applications themselves often make mistakes that are costly not only in terms of money, but also in terms of time; and timeliness of filings is critical in immigration matters. I have seen many clients who made mistakes in their filings and lost options and opportunities that would have benefited their cases and their remaining in the U.S. in valid status.

Seemingly simple matters involving immigration issues can become mired in the regulations, agency interpretations, and become problematic.

As an immigration attorney, I can explain all the options available to you and assist you in making the right choices. I can also deal with your case more effectively and efficiently than you probably could. Even if you intend to file an application on your own, you may wish to schedule a consultation  before filing any document.

Unless you deal with immigration matters regularly, it is doubtful that you will be able to work your way through the process without encountering problems. Even minor errors or omissions in processing your forms in a timely manner, or in the interpretation of the substantive law, may result in serious consequences.

Immigration lawyers are often hired by people who attempted to file petitions themselves but failed for a variety of reasons. Legal fees often end up being higher in such cases.

Never hire an immigration consultant for a U.S. immigration case. It is unfortunate that many people still equate the term "immigration consultant" with "attorney". Immigration consultants are not regulated. They therefore require no training or experience as a prerequisite to calling themselves immigration consultants.

I have seen many immigration cases so totally botched by "immigration Counsels"  where clients have wasted literally hundreds or thousands of dollars in unnecessary government filing fees, or who have actually lost several years of time in processing their immigration case, or who have been actually led into the absolutely wrong process in making their applications.

Choosing an immigration lawyer: A U.S. licensed attorney in good standing may act as a representative in U.S. immigration matters. However, the mere fact that a lawyer has a license to practice law in the United States does not mean that he or she is competent to represent you. It is therefore important to ask the attorney if he or she is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Founded in 1946, AILA is a bar association of over 10,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. Member attorneys represent tens of thousands of U.S. businesses and industries, foreign students, entertainers, and asylum seekers, often on a pro bono basis. AILA is an Affiliated Organization of the American Bar Association. AILA membership usually indicates that the attorney devotes a reasonable amount of his or her practice to U.S. immigration law.

Although AILA membership does not necessarily mean that a lawyer is competent in the area of U.S. immigration, the absence thereof may suggest that your attorney lacks sufficient expertise.

Thank you. Behzad Ghassemi, JD.