Omar672

Self-Representation in Immigration Cases

For many people not in the business of immigration law practice, the New York Immigrant Representation report, that was published in the Cardozo Law Review, is definitely an eye-opener into the world of deportation proceedings. A few of the issues the report addresses are the impact of the transfer of detained immigrants to far off jurisdictions on the immigrants' capability to hire immigration counsel, inadequate an attorney, high bond amounts, plus a high number of self-represented non-citizens.

The amount of foreign nationals representing themselves in immigration courts is appalling. (As opposed to criminal proceedings, non-citizens are not entitled to an appointed attorney in deportation proceedings.) According to the report, in New York City, 60 percent of detained immigrants and 27 percent of non-detained immigrants would not have the benefit of an immigration attorney's expertise throughout the removal process.

The analysis only looks at removal, or deportation, cases that come before immigration judges. It does not address the number of people who seek immigration advantages from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or Consular Offices abroad where an unsuccessful outcome can break the person's life as seriously as a removal from the country. Is inability to unite with one's spouse in america less hurtful than separation with one's spouse as a result of a deportation order? Nevertheless, a growing number of applicants handle immigration petitions on their own. The above study finds that, between 2000 and 2010, the number of unrepresented individuals has doubled.

Some foreigners dive into the maze of immigration law and procedure on their own because they cannot afford hiring immigration lawyers; others chose to represent themselves because they believe they can handle it. The deceitfully simple immigration forms lure many pro se applicants into trouble. Some mistakes, including those involving strategy and presentation of evidence, may not be corrected.

We all know about the benefits of hiring professionals to deal with our problems, whether it is an electrician to repair a shorted wire, a medical doctor to treat any adverse health issue, or an attorney to solve a legal trouble. The newest York study confirms the need for professional services: immigrants who had been placed in deportation and who hired an immigration attorney had successful outcome in 67 percent of cases; people who represented themselves were successful in just eight percent of cases. This data shows the importance of informing non-citizen applicants in regards to the benefits of employing licensed professionals to assist them with immigration petitions.

immigration cases