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What Does An Immigration Attorney Do?
An immigration attorney helps individuals, families, and businesses navigate one of the most complex areas of federal law. Their work covers everything from family-based green card petitions and marriage-based adjustment of status to employment visas, humanitarian relief, naturalization, and defense in removal (deportation) proceedings before an immigration judge.
Much of the work is document-driven. USCIS forms are unforgiving — a missing initial, an unsigned page, an outdated edition of a form, or the wrong filing fee can trigger a Request for Evidence, a denial, or worse, a Notice to Appear that starts removal proceedings. An immigration attorney prepares each petition with the supporting evidence USCIS actually looks for: bona fide marriage documentation, employer letters that meet the regulatory criteria, medical records for waivers, country-condition evidence for asylum, and detailed personal declarations.
Common cases include family petitions (spouses, parents, children, siblings), fiancé (K-1) visas, marriage-based adjustment of status inside the U.S., consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad, employment-based visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, EB-1 through EB-3), investor visas (E-2, EB-5), asylum and withholding of removal, U and T visas for crime and trafficking victims, VAWA self-petitions, DACA renewals, TPS registrations, waivers of inadmissibility (I-601, I-601A, I-212), naturalization, and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
When someone is in removal proceedings — often after an arrest, an old order of removal, or an inadmissibility finding at the border — the stakes are immediate. An immigration attorney appears before the immigration court, files motions to terminate, requests bond, and pursues every form of relief for which the client is eligible: cancellation of removal, adjustment, asylum, or voluntary departure. Court practice is very different from paper petitions, and preparation for individual hearings often takes months.
Interview preparation is another critical service. Marriage-based green card interviews, asylum interviews, and naturalization exams all require the applicant to answer questions under oath. A good attorney rehearses the interview in advance, translates concerns, and attends the interview whenever the process allows it.
Businesses use immigration attorneys to file H-1B specialty-occupation petitions, L-1 intracompany transfers, PERM labor certifications, and multinational-manager EB-1C petitions. Compliance work — I-9 audits, E-Verify participation, and site visits from USCIS’s Fraud Detection and National Security unit — is a growing part of the practice.
LegalNow247 is a legal concierge, not a law firm, and we do not provide immigration advice. We connect individuals and families in Florida with independent immigration attorneys who handle the specific type of matter — family, employment, humanitarian, or removal defense — the caller is facing. Bilingual English/Spanish concierge support is available 24/7.
Immigration law is federal, but the consequences are deeply personal. One misfiled form can separate a family for years — professional guidance matters.
Immigration by the numbers
50+
distinct visa and relief categories under U.S. immigration law
Bilingual
English / Spanish concierge intake
0
USCIS forms filed by LegalNow247 — attorneys handle every filing
24/7
detention and ICE-hold call availability
Common Immigration Situations We Help With
From First Call To Case Resolution
Contact LegalNow247
Free and confidential. English, Spanish, and Creole intake available.
Tell us about your situation
Country of origin, current status, family ties, and any prior filings.
We match you with an immigration attorney
Chosen for your case type and preferred language.
Free consultation
The attorney explains realistic options, timelines, and costs.
Attorney files and represents you
From petitions to court hearings — you don't do it alone.
Timeline, Costs & What Immigration Cases Actually Look Like
Typical timeline
Costs & fees
Documents to gather
- ✓ Passports and any prior U.S. visas or entry stamps
- ✓ I-94 arrival record and prior USCIS receipts
- ✓ Marriage, birth, and divorce certificates (with translations)
- ✓ Any criminal history, arrest records, or final dispositions
- ✓ Prior deportation orders or immigration court documents
- ✓ Tax returns and proof of employment or business ownership
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✘ Filing an incorrect form edition or missing the current filing fee
- ✘ Traveling outside the U.S. with an unresolved unlawful-presence issue
- ✘ Submitting a marriage petition without genuine relationship evidence
- ✘ Pleading guilty to a criminal charge without immigration-law analysis
- ✘ Missing an immigration court hearing — a removal order is often entered in absentia
Signs You Should Speak With A Immigration Attorney
- ✓ You have a qualifying family relationship, employer, or investment tie to the U.S.
- ✓ You’ve received any correspondence from USCIS, ICE, or an immigration court
- ✓ You have a criminal record — even old, sealed, or reduced charges
- ✓ You’ve been denied a visa or green card in the past
When to seek help
- You want to petition for a spouse, parent, child, or sibling
- You've received a Notice to Appear or are in immigration court
- You want to apply for citizenship but have a prior arrest
- Your visa is expiring and you need to change or extend status
- You want to sponsor a worker or apply for an investor/employment visa
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Request A Immigration Consultation
Immigration Questions People Actually Ask
Do you connect me with Spanish-speaking attorneys?
Yes. Many attorneys in our network are bilingual (Spanish, Creole, Portuguese, and more). Just let our concierge know your preferred language.
Can an attorney help if I'm already in removal proceedings?
Yes — and speed matters. Connect with a removal defense attorney as soon as possible after receiving a Notice to Appear.
How long does a green card take?
Marriage-based cases for spouses of U.S. citizens can finalize in 10-14 months. Preference categories may take several years depending on country of origin.
Can I work while my green card is pending?
Often yes, once your I-765 (work authorization) is approved. An attorney can time filings to minimize the gap.
What documents do I need for a family petition?
Proof of the qualifying relationship, the petitioner’s status, and the beneficiary’s identity — plus, later, medical exams, police clearances, and financial support forms.
How long does citizenship take?
N-400 naturalization typically takes 8-14 months from filing to the oath ceremony, though times vary by field office.
Does an old criminal case affect immigration?
It can — sometimes severely. Even sealed or nolle prosequi cases must be disclosed. Always talk to an immigration attorney before applying.
What is adjustment of status?
Applying for a green card from inside the U.S. when eligible — often through marriage to a U.S. citizen or a family petition.
What is consular processing?
Applying for an immigrant visa from your home country at a U.S. consulate — used when adjustment of status isn’t available.
Can I sponsor my parents or siblings?
U.S. citizens can sponsor parents (immediate relatives) and siblings (preference category with long wait). Green card holders cannot sponsor either directly.
What is DACA and can I renew it?
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — an attorney can advise on renewals and interaction with other relief options.
How do work visas like H-1B work?
An employer sponsors you, files a labor petition, and (for H-1B) enters an annual lottery. Deadlines are strict and paperwork is technical.
What is asylum?
Protection for people who fear persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?
Typically up to 6 months per entry, but the exact period is set by CBP at the port of entry. Overstays can bar re-entry for years.
Can I fix a prior visa denial?
Sometimes — with a waiver, a stronger petition, or by choosing a different visa category. An attorney reviews your denial letter to find the path forward.
What if my petition is stuck at USCIS?
Attorneys can file case inquiries, mandamus actions, or congressional inquiries to move stalled cases.
Is a consultation confidential?
Yes. Attorney-client communications are privileged. LegalNow247 also keeps your intake information confidential.
Can I apply for a green card if I entered the U.S. without inspection?
In many cases yes, but the path depends on marriage, family relationships, and whether a provisional waiver or consular processing is required. An attorney evaluates the specific timeline of entries and departures.
Will old criminal charges affect my immigration case?
They can. Even dismissed charges and juvenile matters sometimes create issues. Certified dispositions and a careful review by an immigration attorney are essential before filing.
Can I work while my green card application is pending?
Applicants who file adjustment of status can usually apply for a work permit (EAD) at the same time and receive it within several months.
What is 'unlawful presence' and why does it matter?
Time spent in the U.S. without status can trigger three- and ten-year bars to reentry. Certain waivers exist, but they are discretionary and require detailed hardship evidence.
How does asylum work in the U.S.?
An applicant must generally file within one year of arrival and show a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. The process involves an interview or hearing and can take years.
How We Compare To The Alternatives
| FEATURE | LEGALNOW247 | SEARCHING YOURSELF | ATTORNEY DIRECTORIES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live 24/7 concierge | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Matched to your case type | ✓ | ✕ | — |
| Vetted independent attorneys | ✓ | ✕ | — |
| Free confidential consultation | ✓ | ✕ | — |
| Bilingual English / Spanish | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
| No cost to use the service | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Florida-only network | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ |
Educational Guides On Immigration Law
The Green Card Process — Family vs. Employment
Which category applies and how long each takes.
U.S. Citizenship Requirements
Residency, English, civics, and 'good moral character'.
Common Visa Types Explained
H-1B, L-1, O-1, E-2, and family preference categories.
What To Do If You Receive A Notice To Appear
First steps in removal proceedings.
Criminal Defense Attorneys Across Florida
What Criminal Defense Clients Say
Isabela R.
Miami · Naturalization
Grace O.
Orlando · Removal defense
Rajiv P.
Tampa · Employment visa