The Importance of an Attorney when Applying for Citizenship
By Ali Golchin | Published on August 10, 2011 | 0 Comments
For better or for worse, immigration to the United States has become much more difficult since the terrorist events of September 11th, 2001. Though by no means an easy process before then, it is now doubly difficult and intense scrutiny is applied to every immigrant seeking to gain citizenship. Everything from an immigrant’s criminal record to financial history will be diligently checked, and the smallest error or omission can result in an application being delayed or dropped altogether. This is one of the reasons that it remains so important for immigrants to hire an experienced immigration attorney in San Diego to help navigate the bureaucracy and pitfalls involved in the process.
Ali Golchin is one such San Diego immigration lawyer with the San Diego Immigration Law offices, and he stresses how difficult the process can be in today’s day and age. “Since 9/11, immigration law and procedure has become much more complex,” Golchin says. “And because it is more complex, regular people without an attorney will have a very difficult time understanding this process and properly filing to the right office without delay.”
According to Golchin, it is extremely difficult for a new immigrant to know the intricacies of the application and the timeline that they must follow to successfully file for citizenship. This is further complicated when an immigrant is in the country illegally, making the help of an attorney even more critical.
Many immigrants or their spouses run out of time and become illegal, Golchin explains. And then they can make a mistake in the application and the delay caused by improper filing can become a very costly mistake. “If they’re delayed in properly filing the case or not doing it through appropriate channels, or if the applicant isn’t qualified, it’s rejected.”
Golchin says that the benefit of having a San Diego immigration lawyer is that an attorney can determine whether one would be eligible to file for citizenship. Even if one isn’t eligible, the simple fact of knowing it will save him or her time and money down the line. As such, Golchin can help clients identify and work through red flags. Some of these would include: a criminal record of a felony for violent crimes such as assault, or property crimes like burglary. However, Golchin might be able to work around lesser crimes, such as a DUI.
Ultimately, Golchin says that his job as a San Diego immigration lawyer is to stick with his clients throughout the entire process and get through all of the bumps and obstacles as smoothly as possible. “We’re seeing more and more people hiring us and then taking them all the way to the interview.” Golchin says that even his presence can have a positive impact on both the immigration officials and the clients.
So, if you’re considering applying for citizenship, enlist the services of an experienced San Diego immigration lawyer who can help you get on the track to your new life.
*Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. You should not rely on this article as a legal opinion on any specific facts or circumstances, and you should not act upon this information without seeking professional counsel. Publication of this article and your receipt of this article does not create an attorney-client relationship.