FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
Our Frequently Asked Questions page is designed to address common concerns about U.S. immigration, our firm’s services, and what to expect when working with us. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out – we’re here to help!
ABOUT OUR FIRM
Our office is located at 111 John Street, Suite 1260, New York, NY 10038. However, we represent clients in all 50 states. This means you can work with us no matter where in the country you are located.
You can call us at (212) 248-7907 to speak with our team or schedule an appointment. You may also send us a message through our website’s contact form, and we will get in touch shortly. Our team is responsive and ready to answer your questions when you’re ready!
Yes! We work with clients all across the United States. We leverage technology – including phone and Zoom video meetings – to provide the same level of service remotely as we do in person. Our secure online client portal allows you to upload documents and communicate with us from anywhere. We believe all immigrants deserve excellent legal representation, no matter where they live.
We focus on humanitarian and family-based immigration cases. This includes: self-petitions for survivors of abuse under VAWA, T visas for trafficking victims, family-based green card applications, removal of conditions on residence (I-751 cases), Section 245(i) adjustment cases, motions to reopen old immigration orders, and related waivers. To learn more about each service we provide, see our Services page or the specific FAQ sections above.
Our fees vary depending on the complexity of your case. We will quote a flat fee after evaluating your situation. In many cases, we can arrange payment plans to make the legal fees more manageable. We will discuss all costs and payment options with you during your case evaluation, once we understand what your process will require. Transparency about fees is important to us – you’ll know exactly what to expect before you decide to hire our firm.
Absolutely. We often work with clients who were told by others that they had no options – until they found us. Our firm handles some overlooked case types that many attorneys shy away from. These include cases involving illegal entries, prior deportation orders, complex family situations like divorce, or other immigration “bars.” We pride ourselves on creative solutions and will explore every possible path for you. It’s always worth getting a second opinion. We recommend scheduling a case evaluation so we can review your case in detail and ensure no opportunity is left unexplored.
ABOUT APPOINTMENTS & CASE PROCESS
To schedule a case evaluation with our team, you can call our office at (212) 248-7907, and our staff will assist you. Alternatively, you can submit an inquiry through our website’s contact form, and we’ll reach out to set up a time. All of our case evaluations are conducted via phone call.
Yes. Our case evaluation (appointment) fee is $150. However, this fee is applied toward your case if you choose to hire us for further services. In other words, it becomes a credit toward your overall legal fees. If, after the evaluation, we determine you do not have a viable case or we cannot assist you, we will refund the $150 fee. Our goal is to ensure the evaluation provides value – either in moving forward with representation or giving you peace of mind.
During your case evaluation, one of our team members will discuss your situation in depth and ask you detailed questions about your history. Once your evaluation is complete, they will pass your case along to an attorney, who will carefully review it and confirm what types of relief or benefits you might qualify for. Our team will then reach out to you to discuss your options to start your immigration journey. This initial evaluation helps us get a clear picture of your circumstances and ensures we don’t miss any potential opportunities to help you.
If you choose to proceed, we will send you a representation agreement (contract) that outlines the scope of work and fee arrangement. Once you sign the contract and make the initial payment (remember, your $150 case evaluation fee is credited toward this cost), you officially become our client. We’ll then open your file in our secure client portal, where you can communicate with us and upload any needed documents. Our team will give you a checklist of evidence and information to gather. We will also set up a planning call to kick off your case. From there, we handle preparing and filing all petitions/applications on your behalf, keeping you updated each step of the way. We do offer payment plans, so many clients pay an initial retainer and then monthly installments as agreed.
The timeline for preparing your case depends on how complex it is and how quickly you can provide the necessary documents. Our goal is to work efficiently without sacrificing quality. Every case is different, but rest assured that we treat your case with urgency and attention to detail. We will give you an estimated preparation timeline during the case evaluation, and we will keep you informed if any unforeseen issues arise.
It depends on the type of case. Some processes are faster, and others can be longer. During your case evaluation, we will give you the most up-to-date estimate for your case type. Keep in mind that government backlogs are common, so patience is often necessary.
No news is often normal. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other agencies have significant backlogs, which means cases can be pending with no updates for many months. If your case is within normal processing times, waiting is expected. We continuously monitor your case status and will follow up with the agency if your case goes beyond the usual timeframe. As our client, you can always contact us for a status update. We’re here to ease your worries and can explain what the typical wait times are. You can also check USCIS processing times online at any time.
It’s very important to consult with us before making any international travel plans. Whether you can safely travel depends on your specific situation and what application is pending. For example, if you have a pending adjustment of status (green card) application without a travel permit (Advance Parole), leaving the U.S. could be considered abandonment of your application. Always check with the attorney before traveling abroad to avoid any issues re-entering the U.S.
Legal fees cover the work we perform on your behalf, so they are generally not contingent on the outcome. We cannot guarantee results (no attorney can), but we do guarantee that we will put forth our best efforts and expertise. If you have paid for our services and we have begun work, those fees are considered earned as outlined in our agreement. However, if you have paid in advance for stages of work we have not yet done (for example, you paid in full and decide to stop the case early), we would refund any unearned portion per the contract. We aim to be fair and transparent in all financial matters.
ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY & SAFETY
Yes – absolutely. Our firm adheres to strict confidentiality and privacy practices. As attorneys, we are bound by professional ethics to keep everything you share with us private and privileged. We also utilize a secure client portal with encryption to store your documents and communications. We will not disclose any details of your case to anyone outside our firm unless you give permission or it’s required to further your case (for example, providing documents to USCIS). You can feel safe knowing that your personal information and the details of your story are protected.
No. VAWA cases are confidential. If you file a VAWA self-petition, the government will not notify your spouse or parent about your application. Similarly, if we represent you, we will not contact or inform the abusive person. Your abuser will not get in trouble and will not be contacted by immigration because of your VAWA case. The process is designed to protect you. We take additional precautions, such as having all immigration mail related to your case sent to our office address so that nothing arrives at your home. Your safety is our top priority.
As mentioned above, we can have all official correspondence sent to our office. Our firm will then inform you of any updates discreetly. If phone calls are a concern, let us know a safe way and time to reach you. We have experience working with clients in difficult or dangerous situations. We can adjust our communication methods to keep you safe – whether that means using only certain phone numbers, email, or portal messages. You are in control of how we contact you.
Not necessarily. We have been able to help many clients despite past criminal issues. Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from immigration relief, but it does need careful evaluation. It is extremely important that you disclose any arrests, charges, or convictions to your attorney. Even if something was minor, dismissed, or expunged, immigration authorities may still see it, so we must be prepared to address it. Honesty with your attorney is critical – we are on your side and need the full picture to defend you effectively. We will review your records and advise you on the best course of action.
No. We are an independent law firm and do not work for immigration enforcement. Anything you share with us is confidential. Our goal is to help you gain legal status and protect you, not to report you. You should never fear calling a lawyer for help due to your status – immigration attorneys are here to advocate for you. We do recommend that if you are currently in a sensitive situation (such as in detention or under supervision), you let us know so we can take appropriate measures in communication. But rest assured, speaking with us or visiting our office is safe and private.
