Immigration law is complex and constantly changing. If your lawyer doesn’t explain the process in a way you understand during an initial consult, they might not be the right choice.
Another essential factor to consider is how experienced the attorney is with your specific type of case. The more experience an attorney has, the better they can represent you.
Experience
The Green Card is a legal document that allows individuals to live and work in the United States permanently. An experienced green card attorney can assist in applying, filing paperwork, and preparing for interviews.
They will also be familiar with the rules and regulations that must be followed. This is important as it can reduce the risk of errors that could delay or derail your case.
A qualified immigration lawyer will also have a quality known as “calculated pessimism.” This is the ability to anticipate problems that may arise during a case and prepare for them accordingly. This can prevent delays or even denials of your Green Card application. In addition, a Green Card attorney should be licensed to practice in the state where they are located.
Honesty
Honesty is a moral quality that encompasses more than simply telling the truth. It includes being fair, loyal, and sincere. Honesty is contrasted with lying, cheating, stealing, and breaking promises. Honesty also consists of a willingness to tell possibly unwelcome truths—a sort of frankness sometimes called candor or realism.
While nearly everyone lies at some time, becoming more honest over time is possible. One way to do this is by becoming more aware of situations where people may be more likely to commit dishonesty. It is also helpful to identify the feelings and motives behind dishonest behavior. For example, some people lie because they are afraid of disappointing someone. Other times, it is a matter of ego or self-serving interest. Learners can analyze the concept of honesty by discussing it in groups, describing what it looks like and feels like, and giving examples and non-examples.
Compassion
Compassion involves more than just feeling someone else’s pain. It also requires motivation to take action to relieve that suffering. This is what distinguishes understanding from empathy.
Compassion is sometimes equated with kindness, but they are different. Kindness is a general trait and may be exhibited in many ways, including being polite to a retail worker or remembering a friend’s birthday. In contrast, compassion for others typically entails some form of active help, such as giving a homeless person a meal or helping them move their car.
One measure of compassion, the CS-M, is a 10-item self-report scale developed by Martins et al. based on a model of understanding that consists of five factors: generosity, hospitality, objectivity, sensitivity for strangers, common humanity, and distress tolerance. This measure has satisfactory content validity, and items were generated in consultation with both members of the target population and experts.
Communication
An attorney that takes the time to listen can make all the difference in a case. This skill is often overlooked when assessing attorneys but can be the most critical professional trait.
A Green Card Attorney should be able to communicate the details of a case in an easy-to-understand manner. This is particularly important when dealing with complex matters such as immigration law.
An attorney should explain what will happen in each step of the process and give you an accurate idea of how long it will take to complete your case. This information will help you determine whether or not they are the right lawyer for your needs. They should also be willing to answer questions promptly and keep you updated throughout the process.
Fees
Green Cards are the key to living and working in the United States permanently. A Green Card Attorney can make the process much smoother for anyone seeking one for themselves or sponsoring family members to come into the country. A lawyer could also help those not eligible for family sponsorship, like immigrant investors and specific categories of workers.
There are various reasons that an individual might seek a green card, from marrying a US citizen to asylum grants and refugee status. A Green Card Attorney can assist with these and other situations that may be a hurdle to citizenship. The best Green Card Attorneys understand these obstacles and can overcome them. They should discuss your unique situation and provide you with an accurate quote over the phone.
