What do I need to get run an immigration law practice?

[El_killer47 22]

I am not a lawyer. Never went to law school. No bar. I am a certified public accountant. If I want to practice immigration law., such as filing people's i-130s, and k-1s and N-400 etc. What do I need to have? I know I can't obviously advertise myself as an attorney but what do I need in terms of licensing and such to be able to run a practice that specializes in helping people with immigration filing?

[El_killer47 22]

Before filing our case, I spoke with a bunch of lawyers and even met 2 in person for a consultation and I realized these lawyers they'll say anything to get you good and scared of the whole process.... as if without their assistance you're doomed. One guy actually told me that USCIS has all false information on their website., and of course, this lawyer knows the "inside story" on how visas are actually processed. Someone promised me 6 months, someone 7 months and one promised me "9 months or more depending on my luck. but most likely 9" unless obviously I turned out to be unlucky... in which case, it was out of his hands, I assumed. lol. and he could only pity me, I suppose. And the money these guys wanted.... the lowest I got quoted was $1000 for k-3 visa and then $1000 again when adjustment of status came around as a package deal only. Immigration fees are of course not included. One guy, the one who claimed he knew better immigration law then uscis itself wanted 3500 plus immigration fees.

I figured, I can charge half as much and probably do a better job then these attorneys... thanks to all the information I gathered here and continue to do so.

[Ash.1101 1,755]

It'd depend on the case, some are harder than others.

You can't tote yourself off as an attorney or even a paralegal, you could really only say you're a document preparer, but at the same time you will always run into a situation you have never had before and you may run into clients who you simply can't help because of your lack of knowledge.

With that said, for my divorce I went pro se and I just had a legal document preparer do the papers for my divorce and instead of paying over 1000$ for a lawyer for the divorce and then 350 for the filing, I paid 650$ in total, the legal document preparer - 300 the filing fee - 350$.

Just remember, you'll have to keep up with the new rules, regulations, and forms when they come out.


As I've seen just with this website, not everyones cases are cut and dry. And immigration law is far from just filing papers, clearly there are people that can file papers without contacting anyone with legal knowhow by simply looking at guides on the page. The most you could say you are is a document preparer for X kind of visas.





I personally could never charge people money to do the filing especially knowing that all of my knowledge came from a free site that they have access to as well.

Edited June 5, 2015 by Ash.1101

[Pitaya 2,576]

~Moved from IR1/CR1 Process to General Immigration-related Forum~

~General inquiry about immigration law, not spouse-visa specific~

[dmck 80]

First, decide if you want to be a lawyer versus an attorney (able to represent someone in a court of law). Then go to school, a JD degree, and to be an attorney - pass the bar exam.

[Penguin_ie 5,984]

I would imagine a lot depends on your state law- while immigration is federal law, you won't be actually practising law, you will "just' be filling out forms and adivising.

[Cathi 5,607]

First, decide if you want to be a lawyer versus an attorney (able to represent someone in a court of law). Then go to school, a JD degree, and to be an attorney - pass the bar exam.

there is no difference in an attorney and a lawyer, same exact thing. Not sure why you are saying they need to decide which one to be when they are in fact the same

[Jawaree 717]

If you go to EIOR web-site there is some info RE: representatives on

immigration form preparing you could read up on ....I saw it while

researching something else...I think some kind of registration is required

[Boiler 43,391]

I think he just wants to be a notaio.

[dmck 80]

Many people believe there is no difference, however there is. An attorney is a lawyer, but a lawyer is not necessarily an attorney. An attorney went to law school and passed a bar exam. A lawyer simply went to law school and either did not pass the bar or never took it. A lawyer is fully capable to perform lawyer duties outside of a courtroom. A lawyer, however, is not allowed to represent someone in court.

[Boiler 43,391]

Begs the question what Americans have against Solicitors.

[Sandra G. 5,009]

Just a licensed attorney or BIA accredited can charge to fill out forms and advise regarding immigration Law.Any advice given regarding a legal matter constitutes the practice of law without license,and you can be charged criminally for the unlawful practice of law if you advise someone about immigration Law and charge to fill out the forms. I am an attorney,and I am not here to scare you.The Law is very clear who can give immigration advise/fill out forms.

Edited June 6, 2015 by sandranj

[Jawaree 717]

Notarios set up shop (some) file wrong forms ,issues incorrect info,

have clients sign the docs as the preparer , so they have no accountability

that's why USCIS considers them illegal. A crime..A registered preparer does

the same form preparing but have to fill out preparers section on form

when registered & have some culpability in errors made as a licensed preparer.

Attorney, Lawyer, Barrister iuse to be the same thing pre law degree requirements

eons ago when they wore fancy curled up wigs & flowing long black gowns (still practiced

by the British & their previous colonies.) ...when it became formal & one had to

sit the bar formally it became an Attorney in the US & a Barrister in the UK...in

both countries ppl refers to both as lawyers & solicitors, however I cannot say

the poster that explain the difference is wrong, its something new I've learned and

will research

Edited June 6, 2015 by Jawaree

[Sandra G. 5,009]

http://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services

[Sandra G. 5,009]

jawaree an attorney attended Law school and have passed the bar examination, but a lawyer is just someone that attended Law school . An attorney is a lawyer, but a lawyer is not an attorney