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Copyright 2005, Boston Neighborhood News, Inc. |
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By Kieran C.O. Sullivan, Immigration Services |
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to be Attorney
Author's note: One of the immigrants who attended our March Dorchester clinic for help on an immigration case learned about our clinics through the Q and A articles here in the Haitian Reporter. Unfortunately, she is one of many victims of an individual already investigated by Attorney General Tom Reilly's office. She paid the person thousands of dollars to file a case even though she was not eligible for the immigration benefit requested. We are continuing to provide assistance on the case. She has asked us to use her story in an effort to educate immigrants on the importance of seeking qualified counsel. The following Q and A may help readers who are thinking of retaining counsel on an immigration matter. Q. I am thinking of hiring an attorney. I have heard some nightmare stories about the cost and service provided by some attorneys. Where do I look for one and what advice do you have on this issue? A. You need to be careful when you go about retaining the services of a professional in any field of work. More often than not, the ideal way to find an attorney is through word of mouth or referral from some individual known to you who has been though the process. We have had a number of complaints recently about attorneys who have mishandled cases including a case in which a petitioner-without knowing what was going on-placed himself directly in violation of the 1996 immigration acts and now faces a ten-year bar from reentering the US. Several immigrants who went for interviews at US Citizenship and Immigration Service were detained at the interview and deported because their attorney failed to see visa fraud issues in their case.The practice of immigration law is growing fast and a lot of firms that never previously dealt with immigration or the rules and procedures of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), are now filing petitions under the different categories. We have seen cases filed incorrectly and at the wrong CIS centers along with petitions for employment positions that are not skilled. In some cases, individuals have paid attorneys thousands of dollars only to receive a notice from US CIS that their application has been denied. While a consumer - in some situations - may take the attorney before the state bar for censure and/or sue for malpractice, this can be a difficult process in particular for individuals with little funds and/or no immigration status. If you are hiring an attorney to do an immigration related case, hire an attorney specializing in immigration law. The same can be said if you are facing a criminal charge: You would be advised to find an attorney specializing in criminal law. Indeed today, because of changes in immigration laws, some criminal attorneys are learning more about immigration law, and vice versa. Today, for example, a green card holder can be deportable for what would be considered petty crime in another country. On an immigration-related issue, find out if the attorney you are about to hire is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Interview the attorney and find out how much their experience they have, and how much he/she charges for the particular service you need. Get the opinion of some immigration advocacy groups in your area. In Boston, the Irish Immigration Center can provide referrals on attorneys and agencies where the quality of work is known to us. You may also attend one of our free legal clinics.
Allston/Brighton Clinic:The IIC Allston legal clinic is held in the Kells, 161 Brighton Ave. Our clinics are open to immigrants from around the world. Time: 7:00 p.m. Dates: Monday April 11th; Monday May 9; Monday June 13; Monday July 11; Monday August 8; Monday September 12; Monday November 14; Monday December 12 South Boston: The IIC holds a clinic in S. Boston every other month. This clinic is held at the South Boston Community Health Center, 409 West Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127. For more details, contact: John Rattigan 617-542-7654, ext. 15 Time: 6:30 p.m. Dates: Tuesday April 26; Tuesday June 28; Tuesday August 30; Tuesday October 25. Dorchester clinic:The IIC also holds a legal clinic in Dorchester. It is held at the Dorchester House, Multi-Service Center, 1353 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA 02122. This clinic is held every other month. Immigrants may pre-register for this clinic by calling Vielkis Guity at ext. 13. Time: 6:30 p.m. Dates: Tuesday, May 31; July 26; Tuesday, September 27 and Tuesday, November 29
Disclaimer: These articles are published to inform, not to advise. Areas of law are rapidly changing. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services and US Department of State regularly amend regulations and alter processing and filing procedures. For legal advice seek the assistance of an IIC immigration specialist or an immigration attorney. |