The Best Pizza vs. the Best Immigration Lawyer – 3 Important Warnings

Back in college, I had a buddy whose mother mailed him a check so he could buy some new clothes. He promptly cashed it and bought some pizza. When I asked why he spent his parents’ hard earned money on food, he replied, “You can’t eat a shirt.”

Interesting. Which got me to thinking…

Some 25 years later, I heard a radio ad for “The Best Pizza In New York.” Nowhere during the commercial did the announcer mention the cost of the food. Here’s what’s interesting, when people are looking for the best pizza, they don’t care about the cost, but that is often the first question I am asked when people are looking for an immigration lawyer.

Now, I recognize people have a budget. Our firm has tried its best to work with them, considering their financial limits.

HOWEVER, I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT IMMIGRATION “SERVICES” THAT OTHER PEOPLE OFFER:

1. Some of these individuals are not even licensed attorneys; they are “notarios” who practice law without a license, illegally.
2. This week I saw a gentleman who had been the victim of another type of?scam artist, a lawyer who preyed upon unsuspecting immigrants, charged them fees, and did no work.? I did a web search on this would-be immigration lawyer.? I quickly discovered a 25 page document in which he had been suspended from the practice of law for neglect.? Worse, I found a news item about this same attorney, who was caught continuing to collect more money from immigrants even after his license had been suspended.
3. The third category is the?“jack of all trades” lawyer. This attorney works on a group of cases, usually anything that pays their bills. Real estate. Bankruptcy. Divorce. Accident cases. Criminal defense. Immigration too. Problem is that Immigration Law is very complicated.? SO complex in fact that along with tax law, it is often referred to as the most difficult to master.

The wisest immigrants do not “shop around” for the Best Immigration Lawyers they can find with their wallet leading the way.?They choose based on track record, experience in the field, and finding a lawyer with good reviews. In fact we wrote a post on how to choose a good immigration lawyer here…it’s worth a read.

They realize that their lives – and the lives of their loved ones – are on the line.

Some folks say,?“pizza is pizza – when it’s bad, it’s still pretty good.”

I am not sure that I would agree with that statement but I know this much:The best immigration lawyers are not “pretty good.” A bad lawyer can cost you everything.?

“Caution, the road is wet.”? – Bob Marley

If you have any immigration-related questions you can reach out to me at Harlan York & Associates.