When and How to Hire an Immigration Attorney

1. When and How to Hire an Immigration Attorney International Advantage Session #5 Jenny Bowen, Assistant Director, Student Services, OIS

2. Timeline • CPT • Graduation • OPT • H1-B • Permanent Residency? (Marriage? L-1? Lottery?) • Citizenship?

3. What are the various steps involved in obtaining an H1-B visa?

4. H1-B

5. H1-B

6. Permanent Residency • Requires attorney • Takes 2-5 years • Many other factors Watch for Visa Options After Graduation Session! October 19th!

7. When is the best time to hire an attorney? • Now? • During OPT? • At the beginning of H1-B? • Never – the corporation will have one on staff.

8. When is the best time to hire an attorney? • Now • During OPT • At the beginning of H1-B • Never – the corporation will have one on staff.

9. Why do I need an attorney? • Illustrates good preparation for H1-B • Will either streamline the process, or provide a resource that corporation doesn’t have • Takes care of your interests • Establishes a relationship prior to PR application or layoff • Ethical relationships

10. Where can I find an attorney? • The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) is the national bar association of attorneys who practice immigration law. • www.aila.org/ • www.ilw.com • www.TWMLaw.com • www.shusterman.com • www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/

11. Selecting an Immigration Attorney • Don’t wait until your deadline • Consult others • Evaluate your attorney by: • Asking questions in initial call • Asking questions in first meeting

12. Questions to ask in initial call • Do you handle these types of cases? • How many cases similar to mine have you handled? • What percentage of your practice is devoted to immigration law? • Do you charge an initial consultation fee? • How do you set your fees for these types of cases?

13. Questions to ask in first meeting with the attorney • What are the procedures for handling my case? • How long might it take to resolve my case? • What’s this “Express Processing” fee? • What are my prospects for success? • What is the fee that you will charge for my case?

14. What you, as the client, need to consider • Does the lawyer demonstrate an understanding of immigration law procedure? • Does the lawyer communicate ideas to you in a clear and effective manner? • Does he or she seem to care about your problem? • Are you confident that this person has the ability to handle your case competently and honestly? • Do you understand the fee arrangement, and can you afford it? • REFERENCES!

15. How much will this cost? Variables: • Geographic Region • Current immigration status • Employer level of comfort • Employer responsiveness • Family • Timing • Attorney’s reputation

16. Approximately……… Standard: $1,000-1,500 Express Processing: Add $1,000 Complicating Factors: $3,000 - $5,000

17. Final Cautions • You are the client • You can’t rush CIS, unless you pay for it • H-1B’s are not as automatic as OPT

18. Think Positively! The Bureau of Labor Statistics projected in 1999 that the gap between the number of jobs available and the number of people to fill them would grow to 6 million in 2008. “As we are creating an ever more complex, accelerating economy, the necessity to bring in resources and people from abroad to keep it functioning in the most effective manner strikes me as relevant policy.” ---- Alan Greenspan, February, 2000

19. Evaluation Questions • I found the presentation of material easy to understand. • This Advantage session increased my knowledge on the subject presented. • I will be able to use some of the information from this Advantage session in the future. • The presenter was well-prepared for this Advantage session. • This presentation should be repeated in future semesters. A – Strongly Agree; B – Agree; C – Disagree; D – Strongly Agree; E – Don’t know