What do you think...

[DonSangre]

Hi everyone.I just wanna know your opinion guys.I arrived to the US last summer and applied for political asylum (i worked for CCL and literally jumped of the ship)
I already had an interview and was send to immigration judge(just because i am a crewman only judge can give decision about my case).
I have a couple of weeks before court and my question is :should i have a lawyer in the court?
Probably right now you are smiling and thinking that i am an idiot but...First of all (strange things happen in our life...) i have a degree in international law(and actually my specialization were refugees) and second and the most important:i talked with a couple of lawyers (may be such lawyers just exist in Brooklyn i don't know...) but they showed for me enormous incompetence and the same time enormous greed(i don't care about money but i want to pay for something).
So at last i found one normal person and after a couple of consultations i made all the documents by myself for my case.
I would really appreciate guys if someone would tell about his previous experience in the court(just in a couple of words), what kind of role plays lawyer in the court, and finally have i chance to finish everything by myself or
the help of the lawyer will be necessary.

 

[comcast]

yes get a lawyer.

 

[themen]

Definitely, get a Lawyer if you can afford one, if not go to the Lawyers committee for free representation or look around.

There is no Bars to file for Asylum application, besides those of Terrorist related Bars, Grounds of inadmissibilities. Even EWI (Entrance without Inspection), you can still apply for Asylum.

You should be fine as far meeting the criteria, but you still have to prove that you are eligible for Asylum, to win your case.

But there is a different between AOS & Asylum application.
Once your case approved that will override that Law, and you will able to adjust your status.

The following are bars to adjustment of status (many of these bars can be overcome by filing for adjustment of status under INA §245(i) if the individual is eligible to apply under that section of law):- Foreign National Crewmen This limitation applies to those actually entering as crewmen by occupation, purpose, and function, even if admitted ina different visa category.- Transit Without Visa ("TWOV")These are foreign nationals proceeding in immediate and continuous transit through the United States to a foreign destination.- Visa Waiver/Conditional Residents Foreign nationals admitted as visitors under the U.S. visa waiver program cannot adjust status unless they are immediate relatives of U.S, or their application for asylum is approved.

Best Luck.