Good Lawyer in Tucson?

[leighs123 0]

I am just started the process of a K-1 visa for my fiance from Honduras and have been told by several people it's best to work with a lawyer (specifically a good maybe a bit more expensive lawyer), especially because he is from Honduras and there are so many Hondurans trying to cross over US borders. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? And by chance can anybody recommend a good lawyer in Tucson or the Arizona area????

Thanks!

[Dohan 133]

Immigration lawyers tend to be very expensive, I know because I work for one in NYC. If you have no red flags, have a genuine relationship and frontload the application with proof you do not need an immigration lawyer. At least for the initial part.

I personally am glad to help you and answer any questions you might have in this process. The community here is pretty tight and a lot of people provide very helpful and detailed advice. Save your money for visits and the wedding

[Limey 551]

I don't see why you need a lawyer unless there are any problems with your partner's past that might cause issues (criminal record, illegal entry to US etc). If there are no such issues I think its easier without a lawyer - most of the information on the forms is personal info, so the most time consuming thing is looking all of that up and putting it on the forms - the lawyer isn't going to know it, so you'll spend the same amount of time providing it to him/her as you would putting it straight into the forms.

Edited December 17, 2014 by Limey

[southcoast 27]

If you have a substantial Honduran community there then ask around. You could also check with immigrant advocacy groups for a refrence. Finally you can check through AILA.org Its not a guarantee that the lawyer is good, but most of the members are competent in the areas they advertise

[leighs123 0]

Thanks! I appreciate the quick responses. No he has never tried to enter the country illegally, no previous marriages, no kids, no criminal background. However my only concern is that we have only known each other for 6 months AND that we met in a migrant shelter over the summer where we were both volunteering. He was, however, trying to get to the US, but was applying for a visa in Mexico during this time. I've had lots of people tell me because of the limited amount of time we have known each other and the fact he was trying to get over here might look sketchy. He is back in Honduras now, I'm going to see him in a few weeks

But I wasn't sure how much detail I needed for the paperwork and if this was going to be an issue.

[Limey 551]

Thanks! I appreciate the quick responses. No he has never tried to enter the country illegally, no previous marriages, no kids, no criminal background. However my only concern is that we have only known each other for 6 months AND that we met in a migrant shelter over the summer where we were both volunteering. He was, however, trying to get to the US, but was applying for a visa in Mexico during this time. I've had lots of people tell me because of the limited amount of time we have known each other and the fact he was trying to get over here might look sketchy. He is back in Honduras now, I'm going to see him in a few weeks

But I wasn't sure how much detail I needed for the paperwork and if this was going to be an issue.

For the initial K1 application all that matters is that you have met at least once in person within the past 2 years.

There is no requirement as to how long you've known eachother. 6 months is plenty of time and it will be longer by the time he comes up for interview. So to me your application doesn't sound like it has any red flag problems at all. Just make sure you document your relationship well - online chats, any trips to meet up etc, as at the interview you have to convince the interviewer that it is a genuine relationship (this applies to all of us of course!)

[icv21 110]

I am just started the process of a K-1 visa for my fiance from Honduras and have been told by several people it's best to work with a lawyer (specifically a good maybe a bit more expensive lawyer), especially because he is from Honduras and there are so many Hondurans trying to cross over US borders. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? And by chance can anybody recommend a good lawyer in Tucson or the Arizona area????

Thanks!

Hi!

Don't know your personal case but I personally would NOT pay to a lawyer to write on papers.

Everybody has to file the same documents for a K-1 so if it's a straight normal case I recommend to do it yourself.

Any doubts you may have just search information here or ask all the times you need to ,and people will help you.

Lawyers are really expensive I would keep the money for something else.

If you two know known each other for a while, have seen at least once in the past 2 years, just keep collecting proof of your relationship and it will be fine

[Pheebs1201 269]

I personally think, with no red flags, VJ has everything you could ever want or need in terms of advice. Good luck

[Hank_ 9,174]

I am just started the process of a K-1 visa for my fiance from Honduras and have been told by several people it's best to work with a lawyer (specifically a good maybe a bit more expensive lawyer), especially because he is from Honduras and there are so many Hondurans trying to cross over US borders. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? And by chance can anybody recommend a good lawyer in Tucson or the Arizona area????

Thanks!

Hello from rainy Tucson. If you do not have "special issues" you truly do not need an immigration attorney to handle the I-129F petition proceed (the guide here on VJ works well) and at the embassy everything is straight forward enough - follow the embassy instructions letter there.

[southcoast 27]

Whether you "need" a lawyer is something that you have to determine for yourself. Where I am located ( Massachusetts) the going rate for a lawyer is $1000.00 for this type of application. That fee would include translations and all doc preparation to get the visa. Some people feel this is worth it and some don't. Certainly it isn't rocket science, and by closely following the USCIS instructions anyone can file their own routine case. I would use USCIS guidance primarily rather than VJ guidance. While well-intentioned, I frequently see people state things as fact on here that are completely inaccurate. Use official forms and guides, take your time, and you can probably do it yourself.

[emcia_81 43]

I second what other people are saying here. I wouldn't waste my money on a lawyer. It doesn't matter how long you have been together. One of their requirements is that you need to prove that you two met in the past 2 years. I read that there is many issues with lawyers. They do not always do their job efficiently. All they care is the money. If his criminal backround is clear and as you said he never been to the US I do not see any problems. If you need any info in regards to what you should include in your application I can PM you. We didn't have a RFE but it took almost 6 months to be approved Stay away from the money suck....s

[msbau764 245]

I am just started the process of a K-1 visa for my fiance from Honduras and have been told by several people it's best to work with a lawyer (specifically a good maybe a bit more expensive lawyer), especially because he is from Honduras and there are so many Hondurans trying to cross over US borders. Does anybody have any thoughts on this? And by chance can anybody recommend a good lawyer in Tucson or the Arizona area????

Thanks!

Dude, you do not need a lawyer unless your fiance or you need waivers.

[msbau764 245]

Whether you "need" a lawyer is something that you have to determine for yourself. Where I am located ( Massachusetts) the going rate for a lawyer is $1000.00 for this type of application. That fee would include translations and all doc preparation to get the visa. Some people feel this is worth it and some don't. Certainly it isn't rocket science, and by closely following the USCIS instructions anyone can file their own routine case. I would use USCIS guidance primarily rather than VJ guidance. While well-intentioned, I frequently see people state things as fact on here that are completely inaccurate. Use official forms and guides, take your time, and you can probably do it yourself.

Like what?

[Hotter Otter 1,211]

Whether you "need" a lawyer is something that you have to determine for yourself. Where I am located ( Massachusetts) the going rate for a lawyer is $1000.00 for this type of application. That fee would include translations and all doc preparation to get the visa. Some people feel this is worth it and some don't. Certainly it isn't rocket science, and by closely following the USCIS instructions anyone can file their own routine case. I would use USCIS guidance primarily rather than VJ guidance. While well-intentioned, I frequently see people state things as fact on here that are completely inaccurate. Use official forms and guides, take your time, and you can probably do it yourself.

When people on VJ give well intentioned bad advice they are usually corrected quickly by more knowledgeable people. There are people on VJ who know the system better than many immigration lawyers and are happy to help for free.

Do it yourself OP if you have no red flags. Lawyers are expensive and its not unheard of on here for them to make mistakes/ delay the process by being slower to send things than you would be. Good luck!

[Adrian-Gloria 43]

Don't get a lawyer! Just follow the guides and he'll do fine.