WHEN purchasing a car or seeing a doctor about what ails you, often times people obtain a second opinion from friends, family or other professionals. But when seeking an attorney for immigration needs, many take the word of the first immigration attorney that tells them "I can get you your green card" or they immediately believe the attorney who says "There’s nothing that can be done." By nature people shy away at asking attorneys questions like how can you get me my green card, what will you do to make sure my case is approved, and what will I have to go through during this process of legalizing my status? Just because an attorney has a flashy advertisement or may have obtained your favorite celebrity their green card, doesn’t make them infallible. You are paying that attorney good money, they should at least be able to give you an answer to your question.

The principle of asking questions and getting second opinions is a good one to live by. I recently accompanied a client of our firm to his adjustment of status interview. He was anxious about this day as he and his mother have waited several years for this moment. While sitting with him and his parents in the waiting room at USCIS, he told me about all of the times when other attorneys have tried but failed to succeed to resolve his immigration issues. He told me that he was turned away at least two immigration attorneys who advertised to be reputable in the industry.