Don’t take bad US immigration law advice

There is a lot of confusing information about immigration, and it can be hard to separate the good advice from the bad. Of course, people usually do not give out misguided advice on purpose. The problem is really that U.S. immigration law is complicated. But for however complicated it might be, there are a few pieces of advice that might be helpful to immigrants in Louisiana.

First, expect delays. Whether submitting an application for a visa or waiting for a renewal, the immigration process is unfortunately not that fast. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is rarely on schedule. This means that applications that would otherwise proceed quickly can take months or even years to be processed.

Waiting for a renewal can put some immigrants in vulnerable positions. Instead of hoping that everything works out, it is a better idea to keep copies of applications and any paperwork sent to or from the USCIS. Sending documents by certified mail with a return receipt can also prove that the USCIS received everything.

Filing multiple visa petitions can also be a good idea. Since the USCIS is so slow at processing applications, someone might wait years only to learn that his or her family immigration petition was denied. He or she can minimize the chances of this by seeing if other family members are eligible to petition too. That way, if one petition is denied, another might be approved.

Unfortunately, even USCIS workers are not immune to the complicated nature of U.S. immigration law. These men and women can accidentally give misleading or wrong information just like anyone else. It is often a lot more helpful to talk with someone who has plenty of experience with immigration in Louisiana.