Starting life over in America is much like trying to fit together a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle. Every sheet of paper, every piece of paper type, and every deadline matters. For most people who call New York (formerly New Amsterdam) home, legal residency is climbing the mountain with a blindfold on. But here is the good news: immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam are your map to success.
Here is what you need to know.
The perplexing world of immigration law:
The most difficult branch of American law is likely to be immigration law. It constantly changes, and one can easily lose their way for years or have their application rejected because of small errors.
There are numerous government agencies, like the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), that govern the process, so it becomes more complicated.
There are over 330,000 immigration backlogs in New York State alone. With this monolithic backlog, expert help is more necessary than ever. Without the help of an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam, you may lose deadlines, submit the wrong forms, or lose your opportunity for legal status.
Why is New Amsterdam (New York) special for immigrants?
New York City is a historic gateway city for immigration. Since its founding in the 1600s as New Amsterdam, New York has been attracting people worldwide. New York continues to do so today by implementing some of the nation’s strongest measures to protect immigrants.
Unlike other states, New York boasts numerous rights and protections that are based on your immigration status. New York is a “right to shelter” state and enjoys free legal aid through programs such as the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Immigration Legal Support Centers.
New York is one of the best places in the world to stand up for your legal rights.
How do immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam become your master key?
- Knowing your options.
Every case is different. If you consult with an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam, they will dictate the path of your individualized case. They are very skilled in:
- Family petitions.
- Employment-based work visas and green cards.
- Special crime victim programs.
- Deportation defense.
- Naturalization and citizenship.
- Saving you from costly mistakes.
Immigration forms are delicate and complex. The wrong answer or an empty space that is not signed can delay your case for months, years. Immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam understand precisely how to fill out each form accurately and what to present.
Research has established that immigrants who are represented by immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam are eight times more likely to win the case than those without a lawyer.
If you are deportable, being represented by an immigration lawyer in New York, it is three times more likely that you will be able to stay in America.
- Fighting deportation.
Your best defense when you are in removal proceedings is an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam. They can explain to you why they wish to deport you and how you may remain. Some of the most common reasons for deportation are:
- To have an expiring visa.
- Convictions for crime.
- Illegally working.
- Fraud in immigration.
You may have done everything wrong in the past, but occasionally, a good immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam can find ways of keeping you in America legally.
- Special protection for workers.
Hazardous labor like construction or factory work is what most of the immigrants engage in. Yes, you do have rights if you get injured on the job. This is where immigration and workers’ injury experience play a role.
Most immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam can help you get the compensation you deserve without interrupting your application for legal status. The New York law states that: your immigration status will not be used against you in applying for workers’ compensation or personal injury compensation.
The asylum process: Your road to safety
For those fleeing persecution in their native lands, asylum is the promise of safety and a new beginning. But asylum is extremely difficult to obtain. Asylum applicants were successful only 26% of the time in 2020. But representation makes a difference.
Only 10% unrepresented asylum seekers succeed, but represented asylum seekers succeed much more often. An immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam will:
- Assist you in determining whether you can apply for asylum.
- Collect evidence to support your case.
- Prepare yourself for your asylum hearing.
- Represent you in immigration court.
Economic benefits of legal status:
Gaining legal status doesn’t just mean staying in America – it is creating a good life. When immigrants are legalized to work, they invest billions of dollars in the economy.
In New York City alone, providing legal services to immigrants can enable another 53,000 New Yorkers to remain in the country and make further economic contributions to the New York City economy.
Legal status allows you to:
- Make more money working legally.
- Acquire professional licenses.
- Start a business.
- Buy a home.
- Bring relatives to the United States.
- Become a United States citizen in the future.
Selecting the best immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam:
Not all immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam are created equal. When selecting an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam, bear the following in mind:
- Experience with your kind of case.
Make sure your immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam is a specialist in a case like yours. Immigration law specializes in areas like family cases, business immigration, and deportation defense.
- Local knowledge.
An immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam is familiar with the local judges, local rules, and local customs. Your chances of success are most likely to be significantly enhanced by this local knowledge.
- Language services.
Most immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam give services in over one language. The ability to converse with your lawyer in your native language regarding your case is extremely important.
- Record of success.
Request the immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam about their success record on cases like yours. Good lawyers will tell you about successes, as, as about problems you can anticipate.
Cost of not having an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam:
Other people try to handle immigration cases by themselves to save money. This is usually a terrible choice. Spending money on an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam is a much lesser amount compared to spending on:
- A rejection of your case and having to start over again.
- Deportation and losing your friends and family members.
- Years of legal effort and better wages lost.
- Forfeiting the chance for citizenship.
It is essential to consider an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam as an investment, rather than an expense.
Looking ahead: What to do next
If you are ready to take the first step to legality, this is what you do:
- Collect your documents: Collect all immigration documents, ID, and documentation of your years in America.
- Make appointments: Visit several immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam to choose one with whom you feel comfortable and that you can afford.
- Be honest: Inform your immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam of all details of your case, all the mistakes or problems in the past.
- Follow orders: After hiring an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam, follow their instructions very carefully and keep track of the time frames.
- Be patient: Immigration is a lengthy process, but with professional guidance, it becomes quite simple.
Get help!
Going through the US immigration process can be a lot to handle all by yourself. It involves a complex process of keeping up with deadlines, filing intricate forms, and lots more. This is why you need the help of an immigration lawyer in New Amsterdam.
At Gehi and Associates, we have skilled and experienced immigration lawyers who have helped lots of clients achieve success in their immigration cases. We give personalized and clear guidance to help immigrants resolve potential issues in their immigration cases.
If you need help in your immigration case, get in touch with us now!
FAQs for immigration lawyers in New Amsterdam:
- Do I absolutely require an immigration lawyer for my case?
While the law doesn’t require you to refrain from using an immigration lawyer, statistics and numbers have shown that clients who have a lawyer are much more likely to prevail. Immigration law is complex and fluctuating daily, so it is worth the expense for most cases to have a professional handle the situation on your behalf.
- How much is an immigration lawyer going to cost?
Fees are based on the lawyers’ experience and the type of case complexity. Sliding scales of fees or income-based payment plans are provided by most immigration lawyers.
- Can I hire an immigration lawyer if I am undocumented?
Yes, please. Your immigrant status does not prevent you from hiring the services of an immigration lawyer. Illegal aliens are actually most often the very individuals who require the services of an immigration lawyer the most.
- What if I cannot afford an immigration lawyer?
You can discuss this with the immigration lawyer, and they will investigate your situation and advise you on exactly how to proceed with getting help that matches your financial status.
- How long does the process take?
This will be a fairly significant difference based on your case. Family-based green cards are typically years, whereas work visas are only a few months. Your immigration lawyer can speak more specifically depending on your case.
- What if my case is denied?
The largest stack of denials is appealable, or you may reapply. A good immigration lawyer will review the reason for denial and suggest the course of action to you, which can be a federal court appeal.
- Can an immigration lawyer help if I am already in deportation proceedings?
Yes, and that is when you will need one the most. Most immigration lawyers are experts at defending removal cases and finding ways to enable people to stay in America legally.
- Will having an immigration lawyer secure approval for my case?
No immigration lawyer can guarantee results because immigration cases are decided by the government agencies and the courts. But with proper legal advice, it definitely enhances your prospects.
- What do I take to the initial consultation with an immigration lawyer?
Take with you all your immigration documents, identification records, birth certificates, marriage certificates, work history, tax returns, and whatever the immigration agencies have on file. The more you have, the more your immigration lawyer will be prepared to work on your case.
- How can I determine if an immigration lawyer is reliable?
Make sure that they are certified to practice law and that they belong to professional bodies like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Beware if they make guarantees or demand ginormous fees in advance. Immigration lawyer licenses can be checked with your state bar association.
