Why hire an immigration attorney?
Many people who need immigration services don’t know if they should try to do it themselves, hire a “notario” or seek the services of an immigration attorney. Immigration law is very complex. It is essential that all aspects of a person’s immigration history are analyzed before deciding what path to take and what benefits an individual is eligible to receive. It is very common for clients to seek legal assistance only after they have had a negative experience trying to do the application on their own or with a notario. Attorney Amber Heffner’s clients have lost thousands of dollars paying notarios for work that was never done, forms that were never mailed, and for applications that they were never eligible to file. In many cases the work performed by notarios results in missed deadlines, the filing of incorrect or incomplete forms, or the filing of false claims with the government. As a result of the advice or actions of notarios an immigrant can miss opportunities to obtain legal residency, can be unnecessarily deported, or can be subject to civil and/or criminal liability for the filing of false claims.
A major difference between meeting with Ms. Heffner and a notario is that, after a thorough examination of your immigration and criminal history, she will be very honest and direct about whether or not you qualify for an immigration benefit. Sadly, many immigrants do not currently have a pathway to lawful status. There can be severe consequences for individuals who have traveled back and forth unlawfully between the United States and their home country or who have had interactions with border patrol officers. If a client has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime this may negatively impact their case. False claims to US citizenship, immigration fraud, and assisting others enter the US unlawfully are all potential problems in an immigration application. For this reason, it is essential that a qualified immigration attorney such as Ms. Heffner analyze all of the facts of your case to determine the best options for you and to thoroughly examine and explain any risks of filing.
Remember, it is illegal for a notario to provide legal services or give you legal advice about your immigration status. They cannot represent you and will not assist you if they make an error in your case. Also, do not let a notario keep your original documents. Do not believe that they know of any secret laws or have special connections to government agencies. Importantly, they are not attorneys and may not give legal advice, and do not necessarily have any knowledge about immigration matters. For more information, please visit the American Bar Association’s Fight Notario Fraud Website.
A major difference between meeting with Ms. Heffner and a notario is that, after a thorough examination of your immigration and criminal history, she will be very honest and direct about whether or not you qualify for an immigration benefit. Sadly, many immigrants do not currently have a pathway to lawful status. There can be severe consequences for individuals who have traveled back and forth unlawfully between the United States and their home country or who have had interactions with border patrol officers. If a client has ever been arrested or convicted of a crime this may negatively impact their case. False claims to US citizenship, immigration fraud, and assisting others enter the US unlawfully are all potential problems in an immigration application. For this reason, it is essential that a qualified immigration attorney such as Ms. Heffner analyze all of the facts of your case to determine the best options for you and to thoroughly examine and explain any risks of filing.
Remember, it is illegal for a notario to provide legal services or give you legal advice about your immigration status. They cannot represent you and will not assist you if they make an error in your case. Also, do not let a notario keep your original documents. Do not believe that they know of any secret laws or have special connections to government agencies. Importantly, they are not attorneys and may not give legal advice, and do not necessarily have any knowledge about immigration matters. For more information, please visit the American Bar Association’s Fight Notario Fraud Website.