Do I Need a Lawyer?

Voip

Registered Users (C)
I have been reading the posts on forum for a while now and I say thanks to all forums members for sharing their stories with the rest of the world. It's so helpful.
I am considering applying for asylum because of the changes that have happened in my personal situation.
I have been living in U.S for 9 years now and I came here as a F-1 student. I went out of status one year after I arrived in U.S because school was too expensive i e couldn't pay my tuition.
I visited some lawyers recently and I am very confused because one of them said that my case doesn't meet the asylum criteria to get approved. another said she will give a try but she is asking $5000 to take my case.

My financial situation does allow me to pay this kind of money.

Here is my question, How do you dear forum members weigh in the role of a lawyer in the asylum process?

I truly appreciate any insight.

Thanks.
 
well 5K sounds just about right! in terms of u needing a lawyer, you just have to see how strong or week, complicated or simple ur case is. u also have to see if u r a good presenter and if u can put an asylum case together. maybe if u give details of what u have in mind as merits of ur case, some people here can help u and can advise you as to whether u should hire a lawyer or not.
 
there are lawyers that would accept 2000-3000 $ and they are good lawyers, it depends on the area that you live in... for example, I know people "including me" got a lawyer for asylum case in Indianapolis for 2500$... I doubt that a lawyer in NY will accept that amount.

an answer to your question "yes, you need a lawyer" your case is difficult since you didn't apply for asylum in the first year
 
I have been living in U.S for 9 years now and I came here as a F-1 student. I went out of status one year after I arrived in U.S because school was too expensive i e couldn't pay my tuition.

You have been living in the U.S for 9 years. Your asylum case has to be very strong and you have to have strong evidence to prove that you will be in danger if you go back home. If you think your case is strong,then don't hire a lawyer. Save your money in case you get referred to a judge. You will need a lawyer at the court for sure if they refer you to a judge.
 
A lawyer now might prevent him from being referred to immigration court, plus a lawyer for the immigration court will ask for double the fees.
 
Thank you Raziel, Tributeblinky & Assylum for your recommendations.
I live in Chicago, IL and its really hard to found a lawyer for less than $5000.
Does anyone have the list of so called pro-bono in Chicago? How competent are they? do you guys think it may be a possibility?
Thanks a lot.
 
If you can get a pro bono lawyer it will be great! If you cannot, don't panic, you can still make it. You don't have to have a lawyer to get approved. If you read and understand English, do your homework ( a lot of research) about the asylum laws and regulations and you will be fine especially if your case is strong.
I did mine alone, and I intend to go ahead like that until my citizenship.
Good luck buddy!
 
You don't need a lawyer, If you don't speak English just find interpreter.
Sometimes lawyers making your case worse.
 
You don't need a lawyer, If you don't speak English just find interpreter.
Sometimes lawyers making your case worse.

lawyers might worsen the asylum case sometimes " 0.01% " but they will certainly rescue, support, guide and enlighten the asylum applicant, the new comer to USA that doesn't know much about laws and regulations, or how to project the asylum case in the right way.
 
lawyers might worsen the asylum case sometimes " 0.01% " but they will certainly rescue, support, guide and enlighten the asylum applicant, the new comer to USA that doesn't know much about laws and regulations, or how to project the asylum case in the right way.

Before Applying for Asylum Ive been talking to at least 10 different lawyers. All of them without exception were trying to make a "good case" with a lot of bullshit that never happened to me. I can't lie, but its just me, Ive been raised like that. So I only took interpreter on the interview.
Truth is the truth, you will forget your lies, but you will never forget the truth. Truth stays with you.
And the next time on the interview you will say exactly the same things you did on the last interview. Because you don't have to memorize all that crap that lawyer put into your case.
I hope you got my point.

Then you spending all of your money for lawyer, and got no money left for a simple living.
After your lawyer drained your wallet you applying for welfare and taking money from people who really need it.
1-2 year(s) later you'll be complying about your I-485 case delays. and trying to sue USCIS.

After that you can write a couple of books -" How to F#$K USCIS" or "Path to United States at a glance"
it will be bestseller!
 
Before Applying for Asylum Ive been talking to at least 10 different lawyers. All of them without exception were trying to make a "good case" with a lot of bullshit that never happened to me. I can't lie, but its just me, Ive been raised like that. So I only took interpreter on the interview.
Truth is the truth, you will forget your lies, but you will never forget the truth. Truth stays with you.
And the next time on the interview you will say exactly the same things you did on the last interview. Because you don't have to memorize all that crap that lawyer put into your case.
I hope you got my point.

Then you spending all of your money for lawyer, and got no money left for a simple living.
After your lawyer drained your wallet you applying for welfare and taking money from people who really need it.
1-2 year(s) later you'll be complying about your I-485 case delays. and trying to sue USCIS.

After that you can write a couple of books -" How to F#$K USCIS" or "Path to United States at a glance"
it will be bestseller!

Youn are absolutely right Onlo Jooo,

I still don't understand why asylum applicants are spending that all of money to lawyers if they are not making stuffs up.
 
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