A good US immigration lawyer?

[riss 12]

Hello everyone,

I'm just writing to ask if anybody knows a good immigration lawyer. My co-sponsor for the i-134 just pulled out and my fiance and I are left not sure what to do. We don't really have anyone else to co-sponsor, but he has some freelance income from the past 6 months, and I have some assets, which might just be enough if we can present it all properly and if they are wiling to take my things into account - but I feel like I really need some professional advice at this stage. I was hoping for a lawyer who would work with me on an hourly consultation basis, seeing as I have all my paperwork more or less together and just need some clear answers and directions on a number of points. So far I have one lawyer who comes highly recommended but will charge me $2000 just to get me through the packet 3 to interview/visa approval. Can anybody here recommend someone to me? Please send me a PM if you can help - I imagine we're not meant to provide public promotion of anyone's services here on the forums.

Thanks,

Riss

[melissa-n-alfredo 10]

Hello everyone,

I'm just writing to ask if anybody knows a good immigration lawyer. My co-sponsor for the i-134 just pulled out and my fiance and I are left not sure what to do. We don't really have anyone else to co-sponsor, but he has some freelance income from the past 6 months, and I have some assets, which might just be enough if we can present it all properly and if they are wiling to take my things into account - but I feel like I really need some professional advice at this stage. I was hoping for a lawyer who would work with me on an hourly consultation basis, seeing as I have all my paperwork more or less together and just need some clear answers and directions on a number of points. So far I have one lawyer who comes highly recommended but will charge me $2000 just to get me through the packet 3 to interview/visa approval. Can anybody here recommend someone to me? Please send me a PM if you can help - I imagine we're not meant to provide public promotion of anyone's services here on the forums.

Thanks,

Riss

Just my own personal opinion, you will be wasting money with an attorney. Simply for the fact being that attorneys can not have any influence on embassy's decision. You can find most answers to your questions here free of charge. And unless there are criminal matters or something that would cause you to be ineligible for visa, I believe you are underestimating yourself, in being successful. Again, that is only my opinion.

If your main concern, is in regards to your I-134.......If fiance (USC petitioner) can not provide proof of meeting income requirements and assets , the ONLY option is to have co sponsor. Otherwise, visa will be denied, regardless to if you have an attorney. I would continue searching for a qualifying and accepting party, to co sponsor, if USC petitioner can not meet those requirements. Good luck in your search and journey.

[melissa-n-alfredo 10]

Generally, the beneficiary's assets are not even considered, for K1 visa. More so being the USC petitioner, must show that he/she can support you financially. And show proof that you will not be dependent on government assistance, once you are in the US. It will be very hard for beneficiary to have financial access to assets in US, being that beneficiary can not leave US app. 2 years (during the AOS process). The assets used, are to show that you can sell assets for monetary value within a period of 1 year. So, if you can not return to country for minimum 2 years, it would be hard to show embassy that you could sell assets and gain monetary value within 1 year. However, if assets consist of a fairly large bank account, that would certainly hold more weight. Because you could claim those funds, will in fact be transferred to a bank account in the US. Yet, that may also send red flags, because they may suspect you are in fact "paying" your USC petitioner for visa purposes. That is why I strongly suggest, finding another USC co sponsor, in support of the petition.

[Wakey86 12]

Hi, I feel your pain. My husband & I wet through all that.

Here's the attorney helping us out after our approval;she's pretty affordable & you can negotiate the fee: Gardner & Mendoza Attorneys

Getting an attorney to assist you with paperwork is a very personal decision; obviously you have your reasons to do it. So do we

All the best,keep us updated with progress

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

Hello everyone,

I'm just writing to ask if anybody knows a good immigration lawyer. My co-sponsor for the i-134 just pulled out and my fiance and I are left not sure what to do. We don't really have anyone else to co-sponsor, but he has some freelance income from the past 6 months, and I have some assets, which might just be enough if we can present it all properly and if they are wiling to take my things into account - but I feel like I really need some professional advice at this stage. I was hoping for a lawyer who would work with me on an hourly consultation basis, seeing as I have all my paperwork more or less together and just need some clear answers and directions on a number of points. So far I have one lawyer who comes highly recommended but will charge me $2000 just to get me through the packet 3 to interview/visa approval. Can anybody here recommend someone to me? Please send me a PM if you can help - I imagine we're not meant to provide public promotion of anyone's services here on the forums.

Thanks,

Riss

Riss,

your assets are not part of the consideration for the K-1. You will have to wait until your fiance's financial situation improves and take it from there.

In addition, the I-134 is just one of two Affidavits of Support. At the AoS stage, your (then) hubby will need to submit an I-864, so it doesn't really help you much to move to the U.S. and get married (which costs money as well) and then being unable to adjust status to that of a resident because your (then) husband doesn't have the required proof of income for this.

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

Generally, the beneficiary's assets are not even considered, for K1 visa. More so being the USC petitioner, must show that he/she can support you financially. And show proof that you will not be dependent on government assistance, once you are in the US. It will be very hard for beneficiary to have financial access to assets in US, being that beneficiary can not leave US app. 2 years (during the AOS process). The assets used, are to show that you can sell assets for monetary value within a period of 1 year. So, if you can not return to country for minimum 2 years, it would be hard to show embassy that you could sell assets and gain monetary value within 1 year. However, if assets consist of a fairly large bank account, that would certainly hold more weight. Because you could claim those funds, will in fact be transferred to a bank account in the US. Yet, that may also send red flags, because they may suspect you are in fact "paying" your USC petitioner for visa purposes. That is why I strongly suggest, finding another USC co sponsor, in support of the petition.

What is this about not leaving the country for 2 years? This is completely incorrect. Someone can travel outside the US and re-enter as soon as they have AP or their green card. Once they file for AOS, they will receive the AP in about 2-3 months after filing. Also, her assets would be able to be used on the I-864 for AOS.

Riss, save your money. The lawyer cannot really help you in this situation. He will need to show the required amount for the I-134 or find a co-sponsor that is willing to help. Vanessa&Tony stated that Australia follows the I-134 instructions, which calls for only 100% of the poverty level. Maybe that will help. In another thread of yours she stated he might be able to show proof of his annual income and list his home equity to get you approved. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405764-no-cosponsor-but-freelance-income/page__view__findpost__p__5885620

Edited December 23, 2012 by Jay-Kay

[riss 12]

What is this about not leaving the country for 2 years? This is completely incorrect. Someone can travel outside the US and re-enter as soon as they have AP or their green card. Once they file for AOS, they will receive the AP in about 2-3 months after filing. Also, her assets would be able to be used on the I-864 for AOS.

Riss, save your money. The lawyer cannot really help you in this situation. He will need to show the required amount for the I-134 or find a co-sponsor that is willing to help. Vanessa&Tony stated that Australia follows the I-134 instructions, which calls for only 100% of the poverty level. Maybe that will help. In another thread of yours she stated he might be able to show proof of his annual income and list his home equity to get you approved. http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/405764-no-cosponsor-but-freelance-income/page__view__findpost__p__5885620

Thanks Kay. (F) I think you and Vanessa should be named VJ's resident guardian angels.

I think you're right. Vanessa's also given me encouragement to hang in there and not rush off to a lawyer. I guess I was getting a bit overwrought over the last few days and felt like I just couldn't figure it all out anymore. I'm feeling calmer now, much thanks to the help I've received here, and I think you're right that the lawyer probably wouldn't be able to do much that I can't. We're going to keep working on our game plan along the lines that you've both suggested. I didn't realise that Australia only needs 100%, that makes it even easier for us then? If we are only trying to meet $15K instead of $19K, that's quite hopeful.

[KayDeeCee 4,892]

Thanks Kay. (F) I think you and Vanessa should be named VJ's resident guardian angels.

I think you're right. Vanessa's also given me encouragement to hang in there and not rush off to a lawyer. I guess I was getting a bit overwrought over the last few days and felt like I just couldn't figure it all out anymore. I'm feeling calmer now, much thanks to the help I've received here, and I think you're right that the lawyer probably wouldn't be able to do much that I can't. We're going to keep working on our game plan along the lines that you've both suggested. I didn't realise that Australia only needs 100%, that makes it even easier for us then? If we are only trying to meet $15K instead of $19K, that's quite hopeful.

She said they follow the I-134 instructions there and only 100% is needed for the I-134(though many consulates require 125R% anyway), but ask her to be sure about that. Good luck! I really hope it works out for you.

[riss 12]

Oops how rude of me! Thank you to all you other guys who answered me - Melissa&Alfredo, Wakey, and Brother Hesekiel. I appreciated all your comments and help too.

I'm feeling hopeful at the moment, had a good talk with my fiance and he is going to renew his efforts to find someone to cosponsor. It helped a lot that we got hold of some documentation that he can show people to indicate what the responsibilities really are - and he was really impressed when I told him about the pdf that Vanessa gave me stating that the i-134 isn't binding. He just didn't know how to approach people when he himself was confused about what the thing meant. So now he's more confident about it and prepared to ask some others. We'll work on pulling together the best case we can with our own finances, and if we can have someone else to back us up that will be ideal.

Thanks so much to all of you. It's been such a huge comfort to have all your help and moral support here to get through this bit.

Riss

Edited December 24, 2012 by riss

[melissa-n-alfredo 10]

Oops how rude of me! Thank you to all you other guys who answered me - Melissa&Alfredo, Wakey, and Brother Hesekiel. I appreciated all your comments and help too.

I'm feeling hopeful at the moment, had a good talk with my fiance and he is going to renew his efforts to find someone to cosponsor. It helped a lot that we got hold of some documentation that he can show people to indicate what the responsibilities really are - and he was really impressed when I told him about the pdf that Vanessa gave me stating that the i-134 isn't binding. He just didn't know how to approach people when he himself was confused about what the thing meant. So now he's more confident about it and prepared to ask some others. We'll work on pulling together the best case we can with our own finances, and if we can have someone else to back us up that will be ideal.

Thanks so much to all of you. It's been such a huge comfort to have all your help and moral support here to get through this bit.

Riss

You are very welcome, that is what we are here for This is a wonderful support group. I'm still learning alot too, and seems that I have been given wrong advice along the way (when I told you that you couldn't leave the US for 2 years). That was what I was told by an attorney, during our consultation. So just goes to show, attorneys don't always have the right answer. They just say what comes to mind, hoping you will hire them. Yet, with this site, I think it can give you alot of good advice, answers and feedback. Self confidence can mean the world to your case. You can do this!!! Please keep us informed, of your updates. Merry Christmas!!!!