If you’ve looked into hiring an immigration attorney to help you come to, or remain in, the U.S., you’ve probably noticed that many (most) require consultations, including our McEntee Law Group team.
While we love talking to new people, we don’t require a consultation just for our own personal enjoyment. The consultation might feel like just another extra step in an already tedious process, but it is really important. It allows our immigration attorneys to contextualize your needs in relation to your immigration history and review all options available to you. Every immigrant has a different past and will have a different future, and our attorneys need time to fully explore this with you.
Go in with a goal…but also with an open mind
If you’ve gotten to the point of paying for a consultation, you may have some idea of what you’d like to get out of it. Just don’t let that stop you from hearing other options! There may be immigration options you haven’t heard of, ones you may never thought you’d qualify for, and issues that may prevent you from having a feasible path at all. Your attorney is here to help you recognize your full immigration potential, and to try to help you get through the process successfully. (Note: we cannot guarantee a particular outcome for any immigration matter.)
If you’re outside the U.S., it’s important to know ahead of time how long you’d like to spend in the U.S., approximately when you’d like to arrive, and what you’d like to do here. Even a three-day stay could have different visa requirements depending on the reason you’re here. You don’t need to have your entire life planned out, but having an end goal in mind means your attorney can make the most of your time during the consultation.
30 minutes is a short consultation
A 30-minute consultation can be tempting. It takes less time out of your day, it costs half as much, and besides, how long could it possibly take to determine your eligibility for a certain visa/green card? It can take quite some time, as it turns out.
U.S. immigration policy is in near-constant flux, and each visa or green card comes with its own requirements and limitations. It is your attorney’s responsibility to communicate this to you and ensure that you understand the pros and cons of a given visa or green card process. A 30-minute consultation is usually the bare minimum of time needed to accomplish this effectively. If you have a complicated immigration history, any criminal background, or just a lot of questions, invest in an hour-long consultation.
Immigration attorneys typically do not handle all types of immigration cases
There may be a multitude of immigration options, depending on your background. This is largely positive; different needs will have different criteria. One of the drawbacks, however, is that even an immigration attorney at the top of their field won’t necessarily have a comprehensive understanding of every single immigration option that exists.
Some immigration attorneys focus on artist and entertainer visas, some dedicate themselves to asylum and deportation cases, and some are committed advocates for startups and entrepreneurs. McEntee Law Group is a full-service immigration law firm meaning we handle almost all types of immigration matters.
Our online consultation booking system is broken down by immigration matters to help ensure that you speak to the attorney best suited for you. However, if you have any questions about which option to pick, please feel free to email info@mcenteelaw.com or call our office on 773-828-9544.
Our immigration attorneys look forward to meeting you (virtually or in-person) during your consultation.
Written by: James Compton, Client Coordinator at McEntee Law Group
