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28 Jul, 2022 by Joe
Ms. Nilsen was very kind and helpful in our phone conversation giving me detailed advice relating to visa information. I would definitely recommend her services to others !
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17 Aug, 2021 by Willard
I hired Attorney Nilsen in November, 2020 to prepare a I-601 waiver regarding an I-129F Petition K- finance visa for my fiance in Thailand. Attorney Nilsen did an excellent job on the I-601 waiver that was approved in early March, 2020. I was extremely pleased with the job Attorney Nilsen for me and I gladly paid her fee. However, after the waiver was approved in March, 2021, Attorney Nilsen never got back to me to advise me of the next step with the Embassy in Thailand. Over two months went by and I did not hear from the Embassy or Attorney Nilsen on how to proceed. I inquired myself in mid to late May, 2020 and the Embassy would not talk with me. I tried to notify attorney Nilsen and after two or three attempts she finally got back with me. The Embassy contacted her and she contacted me on the next procedure for my finance to be heard at the Embassy in Thailand for her Visa. I am upset that attorney Nilsen did not tell me the process right after the I-601 waiver approval so that we could of quickly got the next process started so my fiance could get her visa. We lost two and one half months time before being told what the next steps would be to schedule a visa interview. Once my fiance and I acquired the necessary documents and paid the visa fee we qualified to schedule a visa interview at the Embassy in Bangkok, However, Thailand was not scheduling visa interviews because of a covid-19 lockdown in Bangkok. I checked and saw they were scheduling visa interviews up until June, 2021. However, we are now waiting for the interview process to open up again when we could of been scheduled for an interview in May or June, 2021. We are an older couple, I'm 73 and my fiance is 57 and Attorney Nilsen's failure to inform us of the next process has caused us much frustration and anguish. Now visa interviews in Bangkok may not open again until September or October, 2021. That would be 6 or 7 months since the I-601 waiver was apporved. Attorney Nilsen offered to do the next process for me for another fee and I politely declined and was not compelled to use her sevices any longer because of her lack of diligence in our case. I informed attorney Nilsen of my displeasure with her through an email. To this day she never replied with an apology or that she was sorry for the unnecessary delay in our case. If she did I would not be writing this review and would of even considered using her services for the next process. I'm disappointed in attorney Nilsen's actions and hoped she would of displayed a little more professionalism.
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16 Oct, 2018 by Annah
My family appreciate Kristen Nilsen for her commitment and passion. She takes extra time and looks for solutions in making sure your case is heard and resolved.
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15 Mar, 2022 by Andressa
Unfortunately, there is no option to give -5 stars which is what they deserve.
I had the unfortunate idea of searching for a lawyer on google and so I decided to hire one of the lawyers (flavio Carvalho) in this law firm because he is Brazilian like me so I thought it would be helpful giving the facts we are both originally from the same country and he would fight for my rights. It didn’t happen at all.
I arrived at the office for our first meeting (case i751) very worried and desperate for help. They charged me $8,500 to postpone my interview, accompany me to the interview, and come up with a different strategy to try to resolve my situation (other offices charged me $3000 for the exact same service). Even so, I hired them. (as I said: He is Brazilian like me, I believed he would put more effort into helping me). I was wrong.
Two days later (on our second meeting) he came back and said we should go to the interview and he would prepare my husband and I for it. I agreed because I was desperate and I trusted him. The next day (after he had advanced the amount of $3000) Flavio called me and said that he had thought better of it (again) and that we should completely chance the strategy. By his decision, he decided to drop the case and guaranteed me a refund of the advance amount ($3000).
four weeks After a lot of humiliation, a lot of calls, a lot of emails (all unanswered) they wrote me a check amount of ($1750). They charged me ($1250) for doing nothing but the slightest bit to give me any return. I saw in the reviews that I'm not the only person who fell into the exact same trap. I DO NOT RECOMMEND! DO NOT GO! DO NOT HIRE! Find another law firm because the chances of what happened to me and a lot of other people happening to you are high. It is very sad to see immigrants trying to take advantage of other immigrants instead of trying to help.
I hate give bad reviews but I had to spend 10 minutes to let everyone knows who they are and I will spend hours if needed to review in all communication platforms that they are announced.
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21 Jan, 2020 by Jeffrey
Hired for paid consult on the merits of two immigration issues. One was challenging and one was mundane. The associate lawyer was 30 minutes late for scheduled appointment. I had to contact this law office over three times in 30 minutes. I paid $125 for this disorganized, unprofessional attorney. The support staff were professional. I am very busy, plus my money and time. In the end, getting some undesired answer is not the crux of the matter, but the self-proclaimed "objectivity" was lacking for any competent attorney. On the second routine issue, effectiveness of his counsel was called into question, because the general nature of the issue should not be rocket science. I would very strongly advise not using this law firm for anything that is not routine paralegal work. Mr. Landerholm's reputation is badly tarnished by his choice of associate lawyers, and connections in Chinatowns are important. I don't expect one to put on airs, but partner attorneys are judged by the associates that one keeps in their law office. Mr. Landerholm projects his keen Chinese cross-cultural competency in videos but he allows mishandling by the underling associates. Sorry, but you earned a poor rating and a lot of negative feedback. Chinese will say: Meiyou guanxi (no connection) because of your employee. Good luck with future and more sophisticated legal clients who may speak Chinese, because this law firm does not warrant your business at their hourly rates.
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25 May, 2019 by Anonymous
At the time when I still was at state prison, and found out about my immigration hold, my family started to look for an immigration attorney to defend me from being deported. On 27th of February in the year of 2015 my family had a meeting with Otis. Right from the beginning, after heard specific of my case he quoted price of $25,000 and since my family and I were not really educated in the immigration, the price did't seem so outrageous plus on top Otis give us a "discount" which brought the final price to $20,250. And please keep in mind, that this the so called final price of $20,250 included only the first stage of the proceeding, which means in case of losing your case Otis would not appeal the decision unless you'd pay him more. I had been charged with aggravated felony, and the aggravated felony is the worst of the worst when it comes to the immigration. Now after reading many reviews, talking to my immigration attorneys and after being transferred from state prison to an immigration facility and being face to face with many people with similar situation, I know, that you can get an immigration attorney with more professionalism, knowledge and competence from anywhere from $4000 to $10,000, and who will provide you with same services that Otis charged $20,250 for. So here is the first strike against Otis the price he charged.But, like I said, since my family and I were not aware in details of the immigration practice and prices, Otis was hired in beginning of March of the 2015 to represent me. And here comes second strike against Otis, not then and not up to this day (1/20/2016) did I receive a letter from him where he assured me that he knows my case, or at least in the process of learning my case and that he is representing me. Now just for a moment, imagine yourself in my shoes: this is your fourth year in a prison, you are not prison material and you are literally counting days to your release - your entire living is about release! All of the sudden all your hopes and dreams are shattered-you are not being released on your released day, instead you will be transferred, God knows where and when.You have a million and then some more questions, you also have even more doubts! Can you imagine what a difference could one letter from your attorney make? I did not get that letter to this day.So the second strike against Otis is the lack of communication (and by the way, the first thing the attorney who represents me right now did, after being hired by my family, was sent the later to me) But let's keep going... with all those question on my mind I went to the law library to do some research - just want to remind you that this is happening in a state prison, where getting to the law library is a mission of itself-there was lot of Information... a lot! But all the information was like Egyptian's hieroglyphs to me- very discouraging! One thing I got, though is that I might qualify for Rodriguez bond. I wrote letter to my family and ask them to ask Otis about it. Guess what? He simply said (through email by the way, so I have proof if someone interested) that I do not qualify. My family researched this subject more online, so after they did it seemed that I was qualified (in fact anyone qualifies after six month in immigration detention). So my family emailed Otis again, but this time with some of the information for a back up, Guess what? He did admit that he was wrong. FYI: Rodriguez bond hearing was available since September of 2012 because that was when the U.S. District court for the Criminal District of California ordered a preliminary injunction in Rodriguez V. Robbins, a class action lawsuit for six month or more while they fight their cases. Well... but for some reason in almost 3 years this information did not reach Otis. So the third strike against Otis is lack of knowledge. When Otis got to the prison grounds he was not able to see me. Was it because of not filling proper paper work or lack of negotiation skills (w
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23 Jul, 2013 by Anonymous
we had a difficult fraud case and he was able to get my aunt and my cousin free of that case. Excellent lawyering skills and very approachable. He didnt give us any expectations and after he had read through over 5 thousand pages of grand jury documents he told my aunt and my cousin that the government didnt have a case against them and he was able to get bail reduced from 500, 000 to ZERO.
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15 Jun, 2023 by Damián preciado
I've had the opportunity to learn about NYCL programs and the care they take in delivering services. Really impressed by both the professionalism and the attention to detail in helping youth of different backgrounds accross the US.
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25 Aug, 2019 by Holly cooper
They work around the clock fighting for children. I have worked closely with them for years and never seen more dedicated lawyers.
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30 Apr, 2019 by Ellie?
THIS PLACE SUCKS (NO)
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29 Jun, 2017 by Anonymous
Este hombre promete que va a ayudar y estafa y se queda con la plata. This guy promises to help, gets your money and then doesn't do anything.
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27 Aug, 2011 by Anonymous
responsible, enthusiastic,hard worker,honest,healthy,capable,valuable,sincere,incouraging,thoughtfull,intelligent,caring.
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16 Dec, 2023 by Anonymous
I've got to say that I just wasted my money on someone who wasn't professional nor respectful. Nadia is someone who must include her patronizing remarks instead of just providing a professional service. Will 100% NOT recommend her to other people.
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16 May, 2018 by Gui
Nadia and her team helped me go through an employment based Green Card process and she provided wonderful help.
She guided me and the company through every step always keeping us informed of what to expect, next steps and the estimated timelines (which were very accurate).
The process itself is very stressful and long but in the end it worked out great and I have my card in hand.
I highly recommend her and her team!
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07 Mar, 2022 by Jose
I was referred to this lawyer by my insurance company. I had a simple task at hand for him to complete but he had to overcomplicate things. He was slow from the beginning. When he finally got around to business, he drafted a contract and then asked me to review it. When I had a basic question about the contract, he advised:
"If you don't want me to be your lawyer. That's fine.
Good Luck with your future endeavors."
I never said that I didn't want him to be my lawyer but with that comment I took him up on his offer without hesitation.
This lawyer came across as childish, overly emotional and unprofessional to me.
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22 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
Hien is a very kind lawyer, and there is not too many out there! I hired a cunning lawyer at San Mateo for over thousands of dollars, who messed up my case and he never showed up at court for over 5 times, he only had his assistant to show-up and kept postponing my case. I could not stand taking days off from work for nothing, so i hired Hien. He was great, efficient, and help me settle my case quickly. Not to mention, he got my money back from the cunning attorney!!!!! Hien is the best!!!!
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03 May, 2023 by Anonymous
Arthur Liu is the opposing attorney.
Arthur has been emailing and harassing me that I will be paying for his attorney fees.
I am a victim of identity theft. Arthur's client is the person that used my identity.
These are Arthur Liu's words: "If we have to appear in court, we will ask for attorney fees and cost"
I have suffered emotional distress, seen therapy, and went to the ER for stress because of Arthur Liu's client's actions. The judge told his client to leave me alone, however, Arthur still harassed me.
Instead of acknowledging the judge's words, Arthur emailed me this: "If _____ has to go back to court, you will end up having to pay for her attorney fees and costs."
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24 Nov, 2020 by Anonymous
This is the worst greedy attorney who takes the money and disappeared. Do not go to this guy. He is awful and doesn’t know the law. He has no moral and would do anything to take your money. He has no interest in helping you and is not competent to represent my case.
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28 May, 2013 by Anonymous
He is the worst attorney I have even seen. The only thing he does is charging money.
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24 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
Contacte a este abogado para que me tramitara mi numero social, y me dijo que en 2 meses me tendría el numero. Me llamaba e insistía para que le depositara por el trabajo, le deposite y nunca mas volvió a contestar mis llamadas ni mensajes, tengan cuidado que no es abogado es un estafador. Por fortuna cuento con el registro del deposito que esta a su nombre, y lo denunciare al colegio de abogados.
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FAQs
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What an Immigration Lawyer Can Do for You
An immigration lawyer specializes in helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate the complex immigration process. These lawyers provide legal guidance on various immigration matters, such as obtaining visas, gaining permanent residency (green cards), applying for citizenship, and defending clients in deportation or removal proceedings. Immigration lawyers also assist with employment-based immigration, asylum applications, and resolving issues related to visas or immigration status.
Whether you're trying to immigrate to the U.S., facing deportation, or sponsoring an employee or family member for a visa, an immigration lawyer can help you understand your legal options and navigate the often complicated legal system.
When Should I Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
Hiring an immigration lawyer is beneficial in many situations where you are dealing with U.S. immigration laws, whether for personal or business reasons. Common reasons to hire an immigration lawyer include:
- Visa applications: If you need assistance applying for a visa, whether it's a work visa (H-1B), student visa (F-1), or tourist visa (B-1/B-2), a lawyer can help ensure the application is properly completed and submitted.
- Green card applications: If you're seeking permanent residency, an immigration lawyer can guide you through the process, whether through family sponsorship, employment, or the Diversity Visa (lottery) program.
- Deportation or removal defense: If you’re facing deportation or removal from the U.S., a lawyer can defend your case in immigration court and seek to prevent removal.
- Asylum applications: If you’re seeking asylum due to persecution or fear of persecution in your home country, a lawyer can help you prepare a strong case and file for asylum.
- Family reunification: If you're a U.S. citizen or permanent resident looking to bring family members to the U.S., a lawyer can assist with the family sponsorship process.
- Citizenship and naturalization: If you're ready to apply for U.S. citizenship, a lawyer can help you navigate the naturalization process and ensure you meet all the requirements.
- Business immigration: If you're an employer seeking to hire foreign workers, a lawyer can assist with employment-based visas, labor certification, and compliance with immigration regulations.
- Special immigration categories: Immigration lawyers also handle complex cases, such as visas for victims of human trafficking (T visa), crime victims (U visa), or those seeking Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
Hiring an immigration lawyer early in the process can help you avoid delays, errors, and possible denials due to incomplete or incorrect applications.
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
An immigration lawyer provides a wide range of services to help clients with their immigration needs, whether personal or business-related. Their tasks often include:
- Assisting with visa applications: Helping clients fill out and submit visa applications, ensuring all documentation is complete and accurate.
- Filing for green cards and permanent residency: Guiding clients through the process of applying for a green card, including family-based, employment-based, or other forms of residency.
- Defending against deportation or removal: Representing clients in immigration court who are facing deportation and working to prevent removal from the U.S.
- Preparing asylum cases: Assisting clients in applying for asylum based on fear of persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
- Handling citizenship applications: Helping lawful permanent residents apply for naturalization and ensuring they meet all the legal requirements for U.S. citizenship.
- Employment-based immigration: Assisting employers with the process of sponsoring foreign workers for temporary or permanent visas, including H-1B, L-1, and EB-1 through EB-5 visas.
- Representation in immigration interviews: Preparing clients for immigration interviews and attending interviews at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices.
- Appealing denied applications: If a visa, green card, or citizenship application is denied, a lawyer can file appeals or motions to reopen or reconsider the case.
How Are Immigration Lawyers Paid?
Immigration lawyers generally charge for their services based on the type of immigration case and the complexity of the legal work involved. Common payment structures include:
- Flat fee: Many immigration lawyers charge a flat fee for specific services, such as preparing a visa application, green card petition, or citizenship application. Flat fees help clients know upfront what the legal costs will be for a particular service.
- Hourly rate: For more complex cases, such as deportation defense or appeals, some lawyers charge by the hour. Hourly rates vary depending on the lawyer's experience and the complexity of the case.
- Retainer: For ongoing immigration matters, some clients may need to pay a retainer, which is an upfront payment billed against as the lawyer works on the case.
- Pro bono or sliding scale: Some immigration lawyers or nonprofit organizations may offer free or low-cost services for clients with limited financial means, particularly in asylum or humanitarian cases.
It’s essential to discuss the fee structure with your lawyer during the initial consultation to understand the costs and payment arrangements.
How Much Does an Immigration Lawyer Cost?
The cost of hiring an immigration lawyer varies based on the type of legal service required, the lawyer's experience, and the complexity of the case. General cost estimates include:
- Visa applications: For help with visa applications (e.g., H-1B, L-1, F-1), legal fees may range from $2,000 to $7,500, depending on the complexity and the type of visa.
- Green card applications: Fees for family-based or employment-based green card applications typically range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the case.
- Deportation defense: For defending clients in removal proceedings, costs can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the case and how long the case takes.
- Asylum cases: Asylum applications may range from $2,000 to $10,000, depending on whether the case is defensive (in removal proceedings) or affirmative (not in removal proceedings).
- Citizenship applications: Legal fees for filing a naturalization application usually range from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the complexity of the client’s immigration history.
- Business immigration services: Fees for assisting businesses with employment-based visas (such as H-1B or EB-5 visas) often range from $3,000 to $10,000 or more.
Always ask for a clear breakdown of costs and fee arrangements before proceeding with legal services.
Top Questions to Ask an Immigration Lawyer
Before hiring an immigration lawyer, it's essential to ask questions to ensure they have the experience and expertise to handle your case effectively. Important questions to ask include:
-
What experience do you have with immigration cases like mine?
Ensure the lawyer has experience handling cases similar to yours, whether it’s family-based immigration, employment visas, or asylum. -
How do you charge for your services?
Clarify whether the lawyer charges a flat fee, hourly rate, or retainer, and ask for a detailed estimate of the total cost. -
What is the likelihood of success in my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case and the potential outcomes, including any challenges you might face. -
How long will the process take?
Immigration cases can take time, so ask how long it may take to process your application or resolve your legal issue. -
Will you handle my case personally?
In larger firms, junior attorneys or paralegals may handle parts of your case. Make sure you know who will be working on your case directly. -
What documents do I need to provide?
Ask the lawyer about the documentation required to support your case, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or employment contracts.
How to Check the Credibility of an Immigration Lawyer
To ensure you are hiring a reputable immigration lawyer, take the following steps to verify their credentials and track record:
- Check their state bar status: Confirm with your state bar association that the lawyer is licensed to practice and has no disciplinary actions against them.
- Look for specific immigration law experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they specialize in immigration law and have experience handling cases like yours.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Look for reviews on platforms like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, or Google to see what previous clients have said about the lawyer’s professionalism and success rate.
- Ask for references: A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their ability to handle immigration cases.
- Check for industry affiliations: Membership in organizations like the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) can indicate the lawyer’s expertise and commitment to immigration law.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make the most out of your first consultation with an immigration lawyer, it’s important to come prepared with relevant documents and information. Here’s what you should bring:
- Passport and immigration documents: Bring your passport, visa, and any documents related to your current immigration status.
- Family documents: If you're applying for a family-based visa or green card, bring marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of family relationships.
- Employment information: For employment-based visas, provide your employment contract, offer letter, or other documentation of your job.
- Criminal records (if applicable): If you have any criminal history, bring copies of court records and other relevant documents.
- Timeline of events: Provide a clear timeline of any prior immigration applications, visas, or issues with immigration authorities.
- List of questions: Prepare any questions you have about your immigration case, the process, costs, and the likelihood of success.
By preparing thoroughly for your consultation, you can help the lawyer understand your case more effectively and get the best possible legal advice on how to proceed.
