What does an immigration lawyer do?

Below is an overview of what a good immigration lawyer can do for you:

Help you understand the characteristics of the benefits you want. For example, you may find that these benefits include hidden obligations. You may even change your mind and try a different option after your immigration lawyer explains the pros and cons of different immigration benefits to you.
Analyse the details of your case to identify risks and problems you might have missed. For example, you may be at risk of falling under “public charges” without even realising it.
Develop strategies to mitigate the risks you may face – for example, being forced to return home while your application is pending.
Help you make crucial decisions by providing appropriate legal advice. For example, should you get married or marry abroad and wait until your spouse obtains a U.S. visa, or should your spouse obtain a fiancé’s visa, marry or marry in the U.S., and apply for permanent residency in the U.S.? Such decisions can involve very different risks, and you must understand them properly.
Gather relevant documents and prepare them in such a way that they are likely to be accepted by the authorities – for example, find a suitable translation agency to translate your birth certificate.
Help you to respond appropriately to requests for evidence – requests for additional documentation and information that you may receive after you have submitted your application. Failure to respond appropriately and in a timely manner may reduce your chances of receiving the benefits you want.
Help you prepare for your visa interview. You may need coaching so that you don’t get nervous during the interview and raise unreasonable suspicions with your answers. A lawyer will tell you what to expect.
Provide a thousand other potential services that are too numerous to list here.