Family separations are inevitable, especially if they involve international borders and factors that are out of control. Reuniting with family members you once parted ways with can be an emotionally challenging journey. You need to wade through the complicated immigration laws and procedures to make sure you can be with your loved ones until the end of time.
This is where an immigration lawyer comes in to guide and help families get back together faster through their specialized legal services and expertise. In this guide, we explore how an immigration lawyer can be a helpful instrument for family reunification.
Key Takeaways:
The U.S. immigration system, and possibly every U.S. immigration lawyer, faces these hurdles when bringing separated family members together:
Petitions, supporting documents, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms can be too overwhelming to deal with. Minor errors or missing information may lead to major denials and delays. Each form should be prepared accurately, and all required letters, identity documents, and additional information should be handed in.
Parents, spouses, and children usually wait long due to backlogs within the USCIS, Department of Homeland Security, and the Executive Office for Immigration Review. Families may be kept apart for years due to these delays.
Government policies, including immigration, can change in a snap during unpredictable times, such as a public health crisis or armed conflict. These changes disrupt the application process, and applicants may get confused.
Many applicants don't speak English as their first language, so it can be hard for them to identify the correct forms, contact the right department, and request suitable services.
Being away from loved ones can emotionally burden the relatives waiting for them. The anxiety of not seeing them and not knowing what could happen can disrupt their daily thinking and functioning.
Not working with an immigration attorney to get your loved ones back may lead to permanent separation and regrets over lost time and opportunities. These legal services that your immigration attorney can provide can make a difference in your life:
Attorneys can assess your situation and offer personalized advice on the best path to take based on your case. This could involve:
Attorneys are committed to justice. They make sure all USCIS forms are accurate and complete and submit supporting documents to strengthen your claims. They also protect sensitive information while working on immigration cases like family separations.
Your attorney is your advocate, who will be there for you throughout the whole process. They prepare you for interviews, respond to USCIS if the agency requests more evidence, and communicate with officials so your case is handled well.
For complicated cases, immigration attorneys use waivers, appeals, and removal defense. They also work with accredited representatives from organizations when needed.
Lawyers often provide legal and emotional guidance to the affected families who are still coping with the long separations, making them suitable companions while your family deals with stress and uncertainty.
No one can guarantee a proper timeline for family reunification. However, attorneys may reduce delays and improve results by:
Attorneys often handle USCIS forms with care and ensure they're error-free. Any mistake can cost their clients money and time.
Lawyers create persuasive legal arguments and present solid evidence of the family links, so your chances of getting reunited with your family become higher than ever. You need to work closely with them, should they need more proof about your family ties that could help your case.
Lawyers usually spot risks and create backup plans to protect your case from anything that might hinder it from progressing. They also offer additional resources to speed up the reunification process with your family.
Take note of the following factors when choosing a lawyer:
You can also ask your friends who have been in the same situation for recommendations on how to contact a lawyer immediately.
Seeing your family members again after a long time is a more meaningful and impactful experience than you could ever have if life had torn you apart years ago. The legal path may be challenging, but the best immigration attorney has the essential skills, knowledge, and support to make the reunion possible. Their valuable help lets you face challenges, lessen the chances of delay or denial, and navigate the USCIS processes smoothly.
