If you are filing a petition for a green card or a Visa or you have to avoid work or deportation then you will need an immigration lawyer. Most of them are honest and hardworking professionals who are there to help you. However, you have to be very careful when you are selecting one. There are several lawyers who are liars and not dependable. They charge exorbitant fees and will only take you around in circles. Here are a few tips on how to select the right lawyer for your case:

1) Lawyers dressed in exclusive and high-priced suits – Just because an American immigration lawyer is well dressed and flaunts his expensive clothing, does not mean he is a good lawyer. In fact, the posh suit might indicate that the fees charged by the lawyer will only hit the sky. Do not consider dressing as an indication that the lawyer is intelligent and updated. You must research well and find out if the lawyer is worth his salt.

2) Wrong Advice – Beware of unethical advice given by lawyers who are mere money-spinners. If the attorney tells you to document a lie, you are in the wrong hands. Never trust such a lawyer and do not even hire his or her services.

3) Petition preparers or Visa consultants – Such brands of people are not immigration lawyers in the right sense of the term. They just prey on foreigners who need some help for their immigration and only help in typing out the various documents. Any average person can prepare his or her petition and such visa consultants are useless for your immigration issues.

4) Lawyers that come to you at immigration offices – lawyers that look for business in immigration offices are numerous. They will approach you but this itself is a sign that the lawyer is out of business and is no good in his or her work. A good immigration lawyer is always busy doing his or her practice. He or she will not try to hunt new clients in offices. Do not appoint such lawyers.

5) Unreal promises – No one but the immigration judge, the USCIS or the Department of Homeland Defense can decide on the fate of your case. So, do not come in the talks of lawyers who claim that their success rate is a hundred percent. Not even the best immigration lawyer is in a position to guarantee the outcome of your case in any way. They only help you in your proceedings.

6) Speak to multiple attorneys – Mostly the good lawyers will be busy. If you meet them in their offices and speak to their staff, you will definitely get an idea as to how committed they are in their work. You must speak to a couple of lawyers and then compare the discussions before you decide to select any one of them.

The Law Office of Janis Peterson-Lord takes pride in its dedication, success, and expertise in the field of immigration law. They provide a full range of immigration services. Their focus is on employment and business immigration, consular practice, family immigration, naturalization, and all forms of non-immigrant visas.

Their offices, located in Long Beach, California are in close proximity to those living or working in both Los Angeles County and Orange County. Some clients come to see them from as far away as the Inland Empire, San Jose, and even New York. Others around the world work with them via email, fax, and telephone conferencing. They prepare and represent visa applications going to all parts of the world, especially Cambodia, Thailand, Philippines, China, Nigeria, Mexico, Canada, and England, and they communicate on behalf of clients at U.S. Department of State Consular offices on every continent. When waivers of inadmissibility are required, they have an expertise in the analysis and preparation required for success.

At the Law Office of Janis Peterson-Lord, they’re dedicated to offering the most complete and experienced immigration legal support for clients. They offer you personal service, integrity, honesty and open communication. Contact them and let them consult with you and help you overcome immigration obstacles, so you can reach your goals and full potential. Please call or email their office to schedule an appointment for a free consultation.

The new Arizona law takes effect this week. The new law will require police officers to question people if there is reason to believe they are in the country illegally.

Currently, Civil rights groups are challenging the new law in court, arguing that it allows police to use racial profiling to go after suspected illegal immigrants. Simultaneously, others groups support the law as an effort to reduce the impact of illegal immigration in America. The passions on both sides are running high.

Supporters of the legislation point out that the federal government has been ineffective in stemming the tide of immigrants entering the country. There are an estimated 460,000 undocumented aliens residing in Arizona. The fear is that these undocumented aliens have a negative affect on American jobs and wages.

At the same time, while acknowledging that illegal immigration is an issue, civil rights groups are concerned that the tough new law is not the proper way to properly resolve the issue. The great fear is that police officers will target Hispanics solely on their race. Many worry that citizens of Hispanic decent will get caught up in the wide net of racial profiling.

Supporters of the law point out that the law only codifies current practices of the Arizona police force: As a general rule, if a person is arrested for a crime, their immigration status is checked by immigration authorities and they are flagged for deportation if they are undocumented.

However, many wonder why there would be a need for the passage of a new law if it has no affect on current practices. There is also the fear that the law will act for a shield for bad cops to engage in racist practices.

In the back of the minds of many, the question remains, with the passage of this law are we one step removed from requiring Hispanics to wear a patch on their clothing to indicate whether they are lawfully in the country?