10 key question/points to ask or think about when choosing to hire an Immigration Attorney

Dealing with immigration laws and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) without the help of an experienced attorney is a difficult task. However, finding a good immigration attorney can be just as challenging. Below is a list of things to look for when choosing the right attorney for your case:

1)   Is the focus of the attorney’s practice only immigration law or do they do other legal work as well? The immigration legal field is so large and complicated that the most knowledgeable immigration attorneys generally practice immigration law exclusively.

2)   How quickly does the attorney respond to you? You attorney (or potential attorney) should always respond to you within 1-2 business days. It can be against Ethical rules and laws for an attorney not to contact you in a timely manner. It is all right if the attorney only responds that they will contact you later, as long as they acknowledge your communication.

3)   Has the attorney ever dealt with your type of immigration case, or one that is similar to it? It may be best to work with an attorney who has experience resolving the immigration issues you are facing.

4)   How long has the attorney been practicing and gaining experience in immigration law? At least 3-5 years of experience is recommended.

5)   Has the immigration attorney fully explained the entire legal process you will be facing, with the exact legal and filing fees that are due? This includes appeals and what would happen if the process is not successful. You do not want to face new fees once the process has started. Some attorneys intentionally leave out information at the beginning so it seems their legal fees are lower than their competitors. Once you hire them and pay their initial retainer fee, however, they may inform you of the additional costs.

6)   What is the attorney’s reputation? Check the attorney’s Bar Association record for negative history (for an example, click here)

a.     Online Reviews: A small percentage of negative reviews is acceptable. There can always be negative reviews from clients upset at the attorney for their own mistakes or regarding the decision of the Immigration Department.  Even rival attorneys can write negative reviews to undermine the competition.

b.     Client testimonials: You can ask for testimonials from the attorney’s other clients, but because of the private nature of the attorney-client relationship, it is usually difficult for attorneys to release their other clients’ contact information.

7)   Membership in Professional Organizations. Membership in and of itself is not necessarily a benefit since generally any attorney can join a professional organization by paying the annual dues. However, membership does give an attorney access to great sources of information internal to that organization and access to other attorneys that can help on cases. For example, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) keeps members updated as to the most recent developments in the Immigration field and provides a forum for immigration attorneys to meet and help each other with difficult cases. As a result, your attorney may have the opportunity to consult with multiple other attorneys about the nuances of your case.

8)   Don’t go for the cheapest attorney. The old saying “you get what you pay for” also holds in the legal community. The legal fee of an attorney might be inexpensive but that could indicate inexperience, or that the attorney will not give your case the time and energy it requires. Likewise, the most expensive attorney might not be the best either.

9)   Location: For most immigration cases, the location of the attorney’s office does not matter. Much of immigration law is based on documents and all that is necessary is access to electronic communications like phone, fax, email and Skype. Many immigration clients are overseas and do not meet the attorney until the very last steps of the process. However, in some cases a local attorney is best. These could include court hearings and interviews. That said, bear in mind that some attorneys travel to their clients for these appointments.

10)         NO GUARANTEE & PROMISES: It is illegal for an attorney to guarantee the result of a case. It is also virtually impossible to give such a promise since many factors outside of an attorney’s control may affect the case. Therefore, an attorney cannot reasonably give such a guarantee. You must be skeptical of any attorney that gives a promise or guarantee as to the result of your case.

These are some key points to keep in mind when deciding to choose an immigration attorney. For more information regarding your case, please contact the JQK Immigration Law Firm at (818) 934-1561 or info@jqklaw.com.

(10) نکات مهم در انتخاب وکیل مهاجرت مناسب

برخورد با قوانین مهاجرت و گمرک مهاجرت ایالات متحده آمریکا بدون کمک گرفتن از یک وکیل با تجربه کار سختی است. با این حال، پیدا کردن یک وکیل مهاجرت خوب یک دشواری دگر است

:در زیر لیستی از چیزهای مهم در هنگام انتخاب وکیل است

۱) آیا تمرکز دفتر وکیل فقط مهاجرت است، یا آنها قسمت‌های دگر قانون را هم انجام میدهند؟ قوانین مهاجرت آنقدر وسیع است که معمولاً یک وکیل نمیتوند هم تخصص مهاجرت داشته باشد، و تخصص قسمت‌های دگر قانون

۲) وکیل به چه سرعتی جواب شما را میدهد؟ یک وکیل بهتر است یک تا دو روز کاری تماس شما را جواب بدهد. اگر یک وکیل خیلی‌ طول بکشد که جواب شما را بدهد، ممکن است که بر خلاف قوانین اخلاقی‌ باشد. عیبی ندارد که وکیل فقط جواب بدهد که بعدا با شما تماس میگیرد، مهم است که ارتباط شما را جواب بدهد

۳) آیا آن وکیل تا به حال با مسالهٔ مهاجرتی شما تجربه داشته؟

۴) چند وقت است که شخص وکیل بودند؟ بهتر است حداقل سه‌ تا پنج سال تجربه داشته باشند

۵) آیا وکیل مهاجرت شما تمامی‌ مراحل قانونی‌ را به شما، با هزینه‌ها، توضیح داده است؟

۶) اعتبار وکیلی شما چگونه است؟ مثلا، میتونید تاریخ کار وکیل را روی وبسیت پیدا کنیدا: Calbar.org (مثال)

۷) عضویت در گروهی حرفیی‌ مهم است که نشان بدهد که وکیل با جدیدترین تحولات قانون و دستیابی به همکاران برای وکیل وجود دارد

۸) ارزانترین وکیل نشانه بعدی است. یا کار را بلد نیستند، یا اینکه توجه لازم را به پروندهٔ شما نخواهند داشت

۹) محل سکونت وکیلی در اغلب مورد مهاجرت مهم نیست. بخش عمدی قانون مهاجرت به اسناد ربط دارد و با ارتباط الکترنیکی میشود انجام داد

۱۰) قول و وعده از موفقیت کار ممکن نیست! هیچ وکیلی قانونا نمیتواند قول بدهد که پروندهٔ شما موفق خواهد بود

.برای اطلات بیشر، با دفتر ما تماس بگیرید

State of Immigration District 23 - Southern California AILA Event

On June 10^th of 2014, the Southern California Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) (http://www.socalaila.org/) held their annual “State of the District: Annual Meeting with USCIS” at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in Downtown Los Angeles, California.

The dinner event had a panel of the leading agents of the District 23 – Los Angeles District Office. This Government Immigration Office has jurisdiction over the Southern California field offices in Los Angeles County and City, Santa Ana, San Bernardino, and the San Fernando Valley.

The acting District Director is Anna Chau, and the mailing office for the District is: 300 North Los Angeles Street, Room 6570, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

The event was filled with local immigration attorneys and a 10 person panel representing nearly all of the immigration field offices. The panel reviewed several important issues and updates these offices were experiencing and answered many questions from attendees. Unfortunately the panel had to exit early due to the visit of Alejandro Mayorkas, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Below are some of the questions and answers provided by the District 23 agents:

·      Infopass: 

o   Each field office has substantially increased the number of infopasses it provides.

o   Limited emergency passes are provided at each office for those that appear on the same day for emergency requests.

·      New Field Office building in San Bernardino at 995 Hardt Street San Bernardino, CA 92408.

·      Appointment for Biometrics:

o   Can have the biometrics appointment happen earlier if providing proof of need for expedited appointment. The best method is to schedule an infopass first and to bring the appointment letter.

·      Motion to Reopen: when sending in a motion to reopen to the district, email the field office director as well to give them notice of the submitted motion.

·      You cannot speak or contact the specific officer directly regarding issues.

·      To receive immigration benefits at a field office, the beneficiary must be present with government identification (ID). For example, a person with a lost Green Card must come with identification to request the issuance of another card. In cases of emergency where the beneficiary cannot attend, contact district supervisors.

o   If you need your Alien Number (A#), bring your ID and the field office can look it up for you.

·      There is a backlog of I-90s currently.

·      Field Office cannot give I-551 stamps as they do not have the authority or special ink required for the stamp.

·      Matter of Arrabally and Yerrabelly: the consequences are still under discussion, but are accepted for DACA applicants for now.

·      TPS is not considered departure for Advanced Parole.

·     In cases where appointments are pending more than 60 days, email the Service Manager.

o   Recent scheduling issues with regards to cases that were sent from Immigration Court have been corrected.

·      Gay Marriage: for conditional permanent residents, the date is based on actual marriage and not the start of domestic partnership.

·       Matter of Qulantan cases are being approved at field offices.

o   If case is coming to the field office after being approved by an Immigration Judge, officers will review the case fully again to review the “entire picture”, though the standing of factual review from court holds.

·      If any of the decisions that they say they will do are not happening, go to the Director or Section Manager of the field office.

·      The District is waiting for guidance for Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) for prior marriage fraud and due process issues (Chambers v. Mayorkas)

- Due not rely on this information as law – Please consult an immigration attorney -

Information about the Immigration Court in Los Angeles, California (Executive Office for Immigration Review – EIOR)

Many immigrants to the United States are faced with the unfortunate circumstance of receiving a notice to appear for hearings at the U.S. Immigration Court in Downtown Los Angeles. The experience can be scary for people unfamiliar with the building. The following information is provided to help you attend your hearing and to make the process as smooth and successful as possible. For the most up to date information, please visit the website for this courthouse: Immigration Court, Los Angeles, California.

Contact information for the court:

Address: Executive Office for Immigration Review

Immigration Court 

606 S. Olive Street, 15^th Floor 

Los Angeles, California 90014 

Telephone Number: 213-894-2811 

Website: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/sibpages/los/losmain.htm 

The front desk for the court is located on the 15^th floor, but the courtrooms are located on the 5^th, 14^th, 16^th, 17^th and 18^th floor.

Please note that there are two sets of elevators in the building. The courtrooms are reached through the south set of elevators. The north set of elevators provide access to the parking structure and Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices (ICE) and the 5th floor courtrooms and pro bono office.

Also note that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is under the control of the Department of Homeland Security. However the Immigration Court Judges are part of the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EIOR) which is under the authority of the Department of Justice. These are separate organizations.


A list of Judges and their courtroom is available: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/sibpages/los/losmain.htm#assignments.

Please not that there is another immigration related office (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) at the Federal Building on 300 North Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Individuals detained for immigration violations have their court hearings in this building.

Note regarding payment of some filing fees: Filing fees for motions to reopen and motions to reconsider are to be paid in the Federal Building located on 300 North Los Angeles. Make sure to get a receipt and present that at the clerk’s office when submitting a motion.

Court Records: You can request a copy of you court record on the 15^th floor. Please ask the clerk. You will have to provide a written request with your Alien Number (A#), full name, and state that you are requesting your record. Also include your full contact information so the court office can contact you when the file is ready.

For Case information, have you A# ready and call the following phone numbers. You can call them 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 240-314-1500 or 1-800-898-7180.

Waiting: Court hearings usually require a lot of waiting. Hearings are usually held on a first come – first serve basis. Individuals with attorneys are heard first. There are two sets of hearings each day: Morning hearings which are usually master calendar hearings and afternoon hearings which can be merits hearings.

How to know which courtroom: look for your Alien Number on the 15^th floor bulletin board – or go to the court listed on your Notice to Appear or Court Notice Sheet and find your name on the door. If you name or A# is not listed, contact the clerk for that judge in that courtroom, or visit the front desk on the 15^th floor.

Translators are provided during the court hearing.

Please make sure to bring your Notice to Appear letter (NTA) with you.

Court Hours: The Court building is open from 7:30AM until 4:00PM Monday through Friday, except on Federal Holidays. Court hearings start at 8:00AM or 8:30AM each morning, and 12:30AM or 1:00PM for afternoon hearings.

Parking: Parking is located throughout the downtown area. The nearest parking structure is located next door under Pershing Square. However, less expensive parking is located 3-4 blocks south.

Attire: For the best chances of success in your case, dress to your finest. Ties and coats for men and business attire is recommended for women. If this is not possible for you, avoid wearing short skirts, jeans and T-shirts. Collard shirts are best. Remember that your appearance can affect other’s opinions of you.

No food or drink allowed in the courtroom. Phone must be turned off. Food: There are various restaurants and convenience stores located throughout the area. However, there is a café located outside the building on the fist floor.

Do not use NOTARIOS. For Immigration Hearings directly consult and hire a licensed attorney. Do not use third parties. Guidance can be given by the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA). You can get additional information from the Los Angeles County Bar Association (offices in the 300 North Angeles Street Federal Building).


Fingerprints: for cases such as Asylum claims, fingerprints must be submitted no later than 150 before trial. This includes the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint clearances. Fingerprint files are valid for 15 months. If you hearing has been pending longer than that time, you must obtain new fingerprints checks. (See: USCIS Background Checks Memo)

This information should not be considered as law - Please consult an Immigration Attorney.