10 THINGS WE LAWYERS WISH OUR CLIENTS KNEW ABOUT IMMIGRATION

  1. The US immigration system is based on precisely defined categories of immigration benefits. Whether you will get an immigration benefit depends on how well you fit in a category.
  2. The US immigration system is not perfect. Mistakes will occur. If your case proceeds smoothly, consider yourself lucky.
  3. Aliens in removal proceedings have very few rights. People who are accused of serious crimes often have more rights than an alien in removal proceedings.
  4. The US immigration system works slowly. To successfully make it work for you requires 1) paying close attention to the law, and 2) a great deal of patience.
  5. An immigration benefit is a privilege, not a right. This may or may not be morally right, but it is the reality.
  6. Just because you know someone for whom the process of obtaining an immigration benefit was easy does not necessarily mean it will be easy for you.
  7. Just because you know someone for whom the process of obtaining an immigration benefit was hard does not necessarily mean it will be hard for you.
  8. Dealing with the US immigration system is not an exact science. You should not have high expectations that you will receive your immigration benefit in any set period of time.
  9. The stakes are high with immigration. Get an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney, at least consult with one to make sure you are not making a mistake. If you can’t do that, you probably qualify for legal aid sponsored by a number of local and national charitable and immigrants’ rights organizations.
  10. Civic participation on immigration issues is the ONLY way we will see a positive change in the immigration system. Make your voice heard!

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