my fiance has two CIMT convictions on his record (embezzlement and fraud) for which he paid fines. I know it's possible to do the waiver process oneself, but I decided to go with an immigration lawyer who specializes in waivers (expensive though it is). Now waiting to hear if he needs more documents - just sent the papers yesterday. This waiver will be processed in Bangkok. Has anyone gone through this process there?

Sorry to pry, but how expensive is expensive? I am considering hiring a lawyer for an overstay waiver for my hubby but have no clue about prices for this sort of thing. Thanks!!

I have paid $1850. $1750 is the flat fee for the waiver preparation package. $100 deposit for extra costs, such as copying, international phone calls, mailing costs, etc. Could have done a $500 deposit which would include translations but if I need more documents translated I will get them done elsewhere...does not include the $265 for the waiver application fee - that goes to the government. This lawyer is John Richard Smith in California. He specializes in waivers and he was referred to me by another immigration lawyer. I see a lot of people on here mention a lawyer, Laurel Clark, who is an expert on waivers...seems she is more expensive, at least $5000. Does it mean she is better? Don't know.... I am certainly hoping for the best result! All of his previous cases have been approved..would not want to be the first failure.. I did the original K-1 application without a lawyer because I did not know at the time of the problems on my fiance's record.... (he did not realize they posed a problem) -if I had I would have gotten a lawyer from the outset.

Thanks for the info!!! That seems a heck of a lot more reasonable than $5K. Does he have a website?

yes he does. just type John Richard Smith into the search bar and you will find it. It took me 2 months to get enough money for him, if I had to pay $5000 I'd still be waiting.... (no credit card). Good luck to you if you decide to get a waiver.



but I should add, I see that on Laurel Clark's website a payment plan is mentioned.... if you can't pay all at once... whereas my laywer does not have a payment plan option, at least not for the I-160.

I just did a little bit of research and came across something interesting. The attorney you are referring to is Laurel Scott, who does a lot of work with immigrate2us.net members, and I found that she is NOT a member of the AILA, which the American Immigration Lawyers Assoc., and John R. Smith is. Plus she only graduated in 2002, whereas John graduated in 1997, I think from a much more reputable school of law, George Washington Univ of Law. Just thought this was worth mentioning. Good luck to you too!

Not sure where you saw that information. If you look at the link here, she is clearly an AILA member: http://lawyers.nolo.com/attorney.cfm?attorneyID=1643#top
Laurel Scott is most likely the US's leading immigration attorney when it comes to 601 waivers. She has authored publications (see http://www.visacentral.net/I601Memo.pdf) for the AILA and while she certainly is expensive, she seems to have more experience than anyone else out there.

I suggest you search the AILA site yourself; she is NOT listed as an immigration attorney practicing out of Texas. And I'm not sure she has "published" her I-601 memo. I'm sure she is a great lawyer, but does not appear to be a member off AILA. I will call the AILA tomorrow and make certain.

Ok, I apologize. Laurel emailed me and she is a member of AILA. I'm not sure why she is not listed on their attorney listing.

Good Luck with the waiver, we will be watching the progress and keeping our fingers crossed. These CIMT's you speak about cover so many things in other countries, it is mind boggling.
Bobbie

Thanks Bobbie. My papers were delivered.. I have never worked with a lawyer on anything, don't know how it goes.