about the lawyer fee

zuriel · Jun 29, 2005

hello, you guys.
a agency just find me an employer and sponsor for my green card.
then the immigration lawyer contact me and give me a lawyer fee list for my spouse.
which include 1500$(lawyer legal fee)+380$(petition fee)+195(CIS fee), totally around 2000$ just for my husband's immigration fee. and i should start to pay it after my 1-140 get approved. have you ever encounter this situation? and do you think it is reasonable? :)

Here in the Philippines, all legal fees for dependents are being take care by the employer/agency. But other employers you only have to pay filling fee for your dependent $380.00 each. zuriel

suzanne4, RN · Jun 29, 2005

Many employers will pick up the tab for the spouse as well as children, but if you have to pay for spouse, that charge is quite fair.

Where are you going to be working?

carolinapooh, BSN, RN · Jun 29, 2005

hello, you guys.
a agency just find me an employer and sponsor for my green card.
then the immigration lawyer contact me and give me a lawyer fee list for my spouse.
which include 1500$(lawyer legal fee)+380$(petition fee)+195(CIS fee), totally around 2000$ just for my husband's immigration fee. and i should start to pay it after my 1-140 get approved. have you ever encounter this situation? and do you think it is reasonable? :)

I am married to an immigrant, a bona fide green card holder. You do NOT need a lawyer to immigrate to the US. You can file all essential paperwork yourself (even though you're not a citizen), which is exactly what we did. I talked to an immigration lawyer and got fed the same lines; I walked out, went to the INS website (I think they're the BCIS now, or something similar) and pulled up my own forms and did it myself. You'll pay the same fees - except for the $1500 attorney's fee.

A lawyer does not speed up the process (though they'd like you to believe they can - they can't). They're just somewhere else you'll be dropping cash.

Call your local US Embassy/Consulate. I'll say it again: Call your local US Embassy/Consulate. They're a MUCH better source of information. (Now if they told you to get a lawyer, I'd be more inclined to listen. But I would call THEM first.) They will tell you everything you need to know.

Edited to add: I would be very careful here. If the lawyer was recommended/endorsed by the agency, something fishy could be going on. If the agency REQUIRES the use of a lawyer, something odd is afoot, because you can sponsor your spouse yourself once your green card is cleared - though you can have a temporary visa issued for your spouse to join you once you're allowed into the US - and they can stay while their card application is processed. But it can be done yourself. Check the BCIS website and BEWARE of attorneys promising you the world.

Also - I felt compelled to add that I am not a lawyer - disclaimer, disclaimer!!

eperey · Jul 1, 2005

It is reasonable. Have you been offered a sign-on bonus by your prospective employer?

hello, you guys.
a agency just find me an employer and sponsor for my green card.
then the immigration lawyer contact me and give me a lawyer fee list for my spouse.
which include 1500$(lawyer legal fee)+380$(petition fee)+195(CIS fee), totally around 2000$ just for my husband's immigration fee. and i should start to pay it after my 1-140 get approved. have you ever encounter this situation? and do you think it is reasonable? :)

dhel28 · Jul 1, 2005

We were charge almost the same amount, I think it is reasonable.

Although you can file your application without an immigration lawyer or an agency where they do not need a lawyer, I weel feel very wary about agency not getting a lawyer or an agency who will promise to "shoulder everything" and maybe too good to be true!

There are lot of experiences shared where they grab and signed with an agency " who offered the highest rate and promises to shoulder all the expenses" but ending up getting the shorter end of the deal where the agency did not pay the immigration fees on time, did not check all the requirement, made the mistake by filing a different forms and the list goes a long long way.

I really suggest that we get a trusted agency who deals with a trusted immigration lawyer because your future depends on this process and you do not want anyone in-experienced handling your papers. US$ 2000-3000 maybe be quite a lot but this may cause you your future.

But there are always an exception. :)