If you are looking for help with your immigration case, it is important to hire an attorney who has experience in this area. The Law Office of Steven F O’Meara has years of experience helping people with their immigration cases. We can help you prepare and submit all the necessary paperwork and represent you in front of the USCIS. Contact us today to schedule a consultation so we can discuss your case and see how we can help you.
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It is extremely difficult to come to a new country and start over. For numerous immigrants, this is exactly what they are doing. With it you bring many of your customs, etc. to your new home, your new country. I’m an immigration attorney in Media, PA, and I’ve written this article to help you decide whether you need a lawyer for your immigration matter or not.
There are many reasons why it might be helpful for you to hire an attorney, but there are also many situations where I can guide you through the process without charging you much (if anything) at all.
I’ll analyze some common misconceptions about the costs of hiring an immigration lawyer so that you know what to expect when consulting with me, and give links at the bottom of this page so that you can easily contact me if you have additional questions.
I’m based in Delaware County, PA, but I will gladly represent individuals who live outside Pennsylvania as well because our laws apply equally throughout the nation.
Do I need an immigration lawyer?
Having an immigration attorney can be super helpful, but you do not always have to hire one. The first step is always to ask yourself if you really need one or can handle the work yourself. You should only ever pay for legal advice and services if it’s actually necessary for your case; never because the law seems intimidating or you feel like you’re incompetent at solving problems without an attorney (this isn’t true anyway).
As far as immigration law goes, there are certain situations that will obviously require representation by a qualified Pennsylvania immigration lawyer, such as removal proceedings (also called deportation). But other types of cases might give you some wiggle room depending on your circumstances. This is why it’s always best to first consult with an immigration attorney who can let you know what your options are (if any) without costing you anything.
For example, if you’re considering applying for a green card (i.e., becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States), then it is almost always necessary to hire an immigration lawyer because the application process involves various forms and lots of complicated steps that must be completed within strict time limits.
Criminal charges for new U.S. citizens or visa immigrants
If you are facing deportation or removal from the country then you will need an immigration lawyer to help you with your case. If you are placed into removal proceedings by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) or ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), then you will be given a Notice to Appear. This document states the date, time, and place where your deportation hearing will take place before an immigration judge. You cannot remove yourself from this list so it is absolutely necessary to have a lawyer who can make sure you don’t unintentionally hurt your case.
We have represented immigrants from Ireland, Cambodia, China, Korea, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico, Dominican Republic, India, Romania.
“My son had green card status only and was charged with aggravated assault against another individual. While waiting for trial he was charged on another felony offense. Mr. O’Meara was retained for both matters and resolved them both with misdemeanor offenses which did not affect his green card status. I am very proud to state that my son is now a United States Citizen.” – Ivar
Know your rights. To discuss your legal needs with a knowledgeable immigration attorney, call the Law Offices of Steven F. O’Meara at 610-565‑9200 or email now to schedule a free phone consultation.
In order to become a U.S. Citizen, you must ensure that your record is not damaged or you face deportation due to criminal charges.
In sum, if you are seeking to hire an immigration lawyer in Pennsylvania, the only time it would absolutely be necessary is if you’re facing deportation or removal from the country. In all other situations, there might be some things that an attorney could help with (depending on your circumstances), but this doesn’t necessarily mean that hiring one will result in a better outcome for your case. If you don’t need the services of an attorney then I’d advise against paying for them; however, I’m always happy to hear from people who want me to review their case and provide an initial assessment of their options at no charge.
The Law Office of Steven F O’Meara can help you with any immigration law question or need. We know that this is a stressful time for many individuals and families, but our team will guide you through the process to make sure your case goes smoothly. If you are looking for an attorney who has experience in all areas of immigration law, including business visas, family-based petitions, asylum cases, deportation defense and more then please call us today at 610-565‑9200.
