What Can an Immigration Lawyer Do for You?
The primary role of an immigration lawyer involves knowing the current U.S. immigration laws and/or policies and being able to explain them to persons whom these laws may affect. In general, most immigration lawyers are hired to guide clients through different immigration processes, such as:
- Applying for a green card or visa;
- Obtaining U.S. citizenship;
- Handling removal (i.e., deportation) cases; and
- Issues concerning immigrant-owned businesses.
A person should hire an immigration lawyer when they do not understand the requirements of a certain immigration process or have been accused of violating an immigration law and need to appear in immigration court.
In addition, some applicants will hire an immigrant lawyer to accompany them to their interview with an immigration official. Although it is not necessary to hire an immigration lawyer for this reason, it is good to keep in mind that an applicant still has a right to have a lawyer present during their interview.
How Much Does a New York City Immigration Lawyer Cost?
The cost of an immigration lawyer in New York City can vary based on a number of reasons. For example, if an applicant needs to file multiple applications to obtain a visa for both themselves and several family members, then this will cost more than if they had filed as an individual.
The main reason that a person is hiring them is another factor that can affect the cost of an immigration lawyer. For instance, a person who is being processed for removal should expect to pay much more than someone who is applying for a temporary visa.
The average cost of an immigration lawyer is somewhere between $150 and $300 per hour. Lawyers in New York City tend to cost more than the national average across every field of law. As such, a person who is trying to determine the cost of a New York City immigration lawyer should anticipate the total to be on the higher side.