Immigration law is frustrating and confusing, but it is also heartbreaking when a client is deported. Unfortunately, sometimes there is nothing that can be done simply due to prior mistakes that negatively affected an individual’s or entity’s application/petition for immigration. The immigration lawyers at Florida Immigration Law Counsel want to keep families together, and help those who want to live and work in the U.S. or seek asylum.The United States is a country of immigrants. In many ways, the country would not be the global leader it is if it wasn’t for the constant influx of new people, ideas, cultural influences, etc. Whether you are interested in visiting the U.S. for a short period of time or immigrating with the hopes of one day becoming a U.S. citizen, working with an experienced immigration attorney in Gainesville FL can be an asset. Give the attorneys at Florida Immigration Law Counsel a call to schedule your initial consultation today.
Why You Might Need an Immigration Lawyer
U.S. laws are complex, wide-ranging, and confusing for most. Working with a seasoned attorney in Gainesville, FL can help to make your process smoother and ensure that you are not delayed due to procedural errors. Furthermore, a Florida immigration lawyer will have experience collecting appropriate evidence and presenting your case effectively. While you are not required to hire an immigration lawyer by the law, it is certainly advisable. If you are unsure about whether or not you need an attorney, give Florida Immigration Law Counsel today to discuss the details of your case.
How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Florida?
At Florida Immigration Law Counsel, we offer a strategy session to each new client where we review their circumstances and give our professional legal advice on their immigration matters. Once the client has decided to retain us, we charge between $350 and $450 per hour for legal services plus a retainer. Additionally, the forms you submit with your application/petition for review will cost anywhere between $50 to over $3,500, depending on what service you need.
Who is the best immigration lawyer in the US?
Immigration law falls under federal law which means that you can see any immigration lawyer in the United States regarding your case because the law is the same throughout the country. You have an innumerable number of options an immigration lawyers to choose from. However, it’s important to choose the right law firm that cares about you and your family as you go through the immigration process. With so many options you might be wondering how to make the right choice.
How do I choose a good immigration lawyer?
First, you will want to choose an attorney located in your area. A Gainesville immigration lawyer is able to meet local client needs and is available to answer questions related to employment, deportation, criminal defense, caps on visas from certain countries, or any other immigration matter.
You should also choose an attorney who is licensed by the Florida Bar. Having many years of experience in securing visas for clients is also important. You will also want to review client testimonials and work with an attorney whose communication style is in your preferred language.
Choosing the wrong attorney for your immigration case can turn into a nightmare for you. Unfortunately, it does happen where honest families and professionals who would like to live and work in the United States are misguided by immigration lawyers who end up causing problems for them later on, or they seek out the help of someone who is not from a reputable law firm and instead goes by a title such as “visa consultant” or “immigration notary.” These people pose as immigration experts but they aren’t, so the person applying for citizenship or naturalization ends up with a huge mess on their hands. Worse, those mistakes can lead to an application being denied or being deported.
These problems will then need to be fixed by an immigration lawyer — sometimes years later. Our Gainesville FL attorneys review the immigration record for each client to ensure that the information contained within it is accurate and can be accepted by USCIS. We have been helping clients for decades to navigate immigration law. Here are some tips to help you choose the right law firm:
- Immigration law is federal law, which means that you can hire a lawyer in any state. However, you want to pick a lawyer who is close to you. The Florida Immigration Law Counsel is conveniently located in Gainesville FL.
- Stay away from lawyers who guarantee success. Immigration attorneys cannot know in advance what the determination of the courts will be, and making such claims is unethical.
Visiting the U.S.
In most instances, foreign nationals who wish to visit the U.S. must obtain a visa. Those that are interested in visiting for a short time typically apply for a business visa (B-1) or tourist visa (B-2). If you plan on visiting for a mix of tourism and business, you may be best served by obtaining a B1/B2 combination visa. When visiting, it is recommended that you adhere to the regulations of your visa. If you do not, there can be severe consequences levied against you.
There are some countries that are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Most people from these countries do not need a visa to travel to the U.S. for a short period of time. It is important to note that those visiting via the VWP cannot extend their stay (unless it is an emergency situation that is approved). Obtaining a tourist visa is not always easy, working with an adept Gainesville immigration attorney can provide the legal services that will exponentially increase your odds of approval.
Becoming a Permanent Resident
The process of obtaining a visa, becoming a lawful permanent resident (holding a green card), and/or potentially becoming a U.S. citizen can be quite difficult. In general, the U.S. has generous immigration policies. However, each type of visa has its own set of rules, regulations, and qualifications that applicants must adhere to. The U.S. laws allow for foreign-born nationals to apply for a litany of visas to potentially become lawful permanent residents. Though the qualifications for each differs, all applicants must pass a background check and not be a threat to national security. It is not uncommon for many applicants to be denied U.S. visas or green cards on their first attempt due to mistakes and misunderstandings. Gainesville immigration lawyers can help you to navigate the complexities of the law and increase the likelihood of visa approval.
Overstaying Your Visa
Overstaying your visa is never advisable. There are a number of potential negative consequences for doing so, up to being permanently banned from entering the U.S. again (depending on the length of your overstay). If you are at risk of overstaying your visa, a lawyer in Gainesville FL can potentially help you to adjust your visa status. This option is only available to certain visa holders. Those that overstay their visas may find it difficult to visit the U.S. in the future.
Our Practice Areas at Florida Immigration Law Counsel
Whether you are interested in learning how to help a family member immigrate or you are interested in getting a green card, we cover it all. Learn more about our practice areas below.
- Deportation Defense
- Student Visa
- Family Visa
- Labor Certification
- Green Card Applications
- Naturalization
- Waivers
- Immigration
- Consular Processing
- O Visa
- P Visa
- Asylum
- Employment & Business Visas
- R Visa For Religious Workers
- Hardship, Waivers, Appeals & Motions
Connecting With Immigration Attorneys
Our Gainesville law firm represents both individuals and businesses in immigration matters. We understand that navigating the complexities of U.S. immigration law on your own can be daunting and in many cases does not lead to the result that you are seeking. Our attorneys have an in-depth understanding of immigration law and an uncanny ability to make the immigration process a lot smoother for our clients. We focus on offering each of our client’s respect, compassion, personalized attention, and honesty. Before you visit the immigration office in Gainesville FL, give our law firm a call to schedule your initial consultation today.
Frequently Asked Questions for Florida Immigration Law Counsel
Our law firm often receives questions about our practice areas and legal services. If there are any additional questions regarding the immigration services that we offer, then give us a call to speak to an attorney or set up your immigration strategy session.
How does an individual become a U.S. citizen?
There are two ways to become a U.S. citizen. The first by being born in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, the territories of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and, after November 4, 1986, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The other path is through naturalization.
When should I seek out an immigration attorney?
It depends on your circumstances and intentions. It is important to turn to professional immigration lawyers if you face any problems with your visa application or processing. For most people who vacation for less than 90 days, there’s no need for a visa, but sometimes that’s not the case. Immigration lawyers are sought after for a variety of reasons:
- Naturalization is the legal process of becoming a U.S. citizen. Many clients seek out our law firm and set up their consultation with one of our lawyers specifically because they’re interested in green cards.
- If you committed a crime or were convicted of a criminal offense, then that can result in deportation. Immigrants facing deportation will need strong deportation defense by a law firm with years of experience defending clients in court.
- An individual has received a notification of deportation or removal proceedings and needs deportation defense
- An individual or family is seeking discretionary relief or asylum
- A previous immigration application was refused or denied
- An individual wants permission to work in the U.S. by obtaining a work permit
- U.S. employer has not helped an individual with the immigration process
What is the difference between counselor processing and adjustment of status?
When you are applying from outside of the United States, then your application goes through consular processing which means that it is done through the U.S. Embassy or consulate nearest you. Adjustment of Status, however, is when you’re already in the United States and you are applying for a green card. There could be many reasons why you would be seeking a green card once you are already in the United States, such as applying for a spousal visa or family sponsorship.
Can I work in the U.S. if I am waiting for my green card?
Working is a possibility depending on your immigration status. If you are not yet a permanent resident and have not received a green card, then you are not authorized to legally work in the United States unless you’re obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), otherwise known as a work permit. You will need to speak with one of our lawyers so they could explain to you the different work permits available.
Depending on where our clients are in the immigration process, they will need to fill out and file a different type of form with the Department of Homeand Security (DHS) or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is why we offer an immigratio strategy session to our potential new clients so we can review your personal circumstances and explain these different legal options that are available to you.
What are some reasons why applications for green cards are denied?
There are a number of reasons why a petitioner may be denied a green card or lawful permanent residence. Grounds for inadmissibility include:
- Health-related issues, such as being diagnosed with a communicable health condition
- A conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude
- Prostitution
- Prior violations of immigration law
- Failure to attend an appointment or interview
However, when you work with a Gainesville immigration lawyer from Florida Immigration Law Council, you can rest assured that they will thoroughly investigate and review your immigration file to improve your chances of being approved.
- Make sure that you pay the correct filing fees: depending on your immigration needs, your filing fees can range from a few hundred dollars to up to about $3675. The amount that you will be required to pay will depend on whether or not you are an individual, an employer sponsoring a worker for an employment-based visa, or applying for a green card through marriage.
- Use passport-style photos taken within the last 6 months with a plain white or off-white background to include with your application for citizenship
- Work with a professional law firm that specializes in immigration rather than with a “visa consultant” or a “petition preparer.” These non-experts are not licensed nor qualified to help you with naturalization, deportation defense, becoming a permanent resident, help with marriage visas, or any number of the other issues you may need help with
- If you want to sponsor a family member Or if a family member wants to sponsor you for citizenship or permanent residency, then our Gainesville immigration lawyers can help you in the process.
How can I get an employment-based visa?
If you fit into any of the categories below (but not limited to), you may qualify for an employment-based visa:
- Have exhibited special abilities within the arts or sciences
- Able to make a substantial investment into the U.S. economy
- Hold a bachelors degree and are a professional in your field
- Offer significant contributions to the national interest of the U.S.
- A manager or executive within a corporation that is U.S. based.
- Offer a unique skill set that has required at least two years of training and cannot be easily filled in the U.S.
What is the fastest way to become a U.S. citizen?
The fastest method to become a U.S. citizen is through marriage. However, those who are seeking citizenship via marriage to a U.S. citizen face scrutiny. The USCIS thoroughly investigates these cases to ensure that it is a “bona fide” marriage. If it is found that the marriage was only for immigration purposes, the applicant’s petition will likely be denied and they will be asked to immediately leave the United States. Furthermore, it may hinder your chances of being able to visit the U.S. and/or obtain other types of visas in the future.
Why choose Florida Immigration Law Counsel?
It is not difficult to find immigration lawyers in Florida. However, it can be tough to find a Gainesville law firm with lawyers who are as compassionate and skilled as the professional immigration lawyers at Florida Immigration Law Counsel. The immigration lawyer that you hire could be the difference between a positive outcome and a negative one. At our law firm, we offer our clients unparalleled legal services. Contact our office to discuss the details of your immigration needs with one of our professional immigration attorneys in Florida.
Why We Are Your Gainesville Immigration Team
Communication is key and we pride ourselves on developing a strong relationship with each client. We know how much obtaining visas means to you and your family. At Florida Immigration Law Counsel, we handle a wide range of legal services and are committed to understanding your needs and provide individualized service. We are also committed to speaking with you in your preferred language to eliminate communication barriers between us and our clients. Our attorneys are members of the Florida Bar.
We understand that you may have a lot of questions about immigrating to Gainesville FL as well as questions about the different types of visas, their requirements and the overall process. We offer an immigration strategy session, so we can listen to you and then explain how our services can help you. So give Florida Immigration Law Counsel a call today!
