To some living in America, a nation that prides itself on its diversity, nothing is as exciting as the thought of bringing the rest of your family or perhaps your new bride from your native country to the United States so that you may all be reunited under one roof. While this is certainly not an unrealistic goal, Edward Vaisman encourages families to consider asking for assistance from a third party when trying to gain citizenship—an immigration lawyer. As an immigration attorney in Woodbridge, New Jersey, Vaisman has helped many families obtain green cards in the United States, and he knows firsthand about the rewarding, but often times confusing, process of obtaining citizenship.
However simple or straightforward you think gaining citizenship for yourself or your family members will be, Vaisman suggests consulting with an immigration attorney under any circumstance. Hiring a lawyer is so important, he says, because he will have the experience necessary to resolve matters quickly and efficiently. It gives you, the client, a much better perspective on the process as well.
In addition, Vaisman says, since your lawyer has gone through the process so many times before with previous clients, he will be familiar with all of the questions that the immigration officials will ask and can help to prepare you appropriately. When you have an attorney present with you during your meeting with immigration officials, it often ends up being beneficial for you as well. Sometimes, he continues, immigration officers have mistakenly asked immigrants inappropriate questions designed to rattle the individuals applying for green cards. Without a lawyer’s intervention, answering these questions could make a person look foolish and possibly ruin his chances of being granted a green card.
When you first meet with your immigration attorney for a consultation to discuss a particular immigration case or to learn more about how you can apply to renew a visa or become a citizen, Vaisman recommends bringing as much information about yourself and your time in the United States as possible. Specifically, he says, it would be most helpful if you could bring:
- Your passport
- Any immigration documents you have obtained while in the United States
- A marriage certificate if you are married
- A divorce certificate if you are currently divorced
- Photos of a marriage that took place
- All joint documents between you and your spouse (checking accounts, insurance statements, gym memberships, and so forth)
- When you arrived in the United States
- How you arrived in the United States
- What type of visa, if any, was used to obtain entry in to the United States
When it comes to reuniting your family and making the permanent move to the United States, there really isn’t such a thing as being “too prepared.” However, there is the very real possibility that failing to present certain documents or provide requested information can drastically delay the process. With an attorney on your side who has gone through the process numerous times before and who has a certain eye for detail, you can rest assured that your case will progress much more smoothly.
This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Neither publication of this article nor your receipt of this article creates an attorney-client relationship.