While you can file USCIS forms yourself, many people prefer to have legal representation. If you are looking for legal representation, the following are guidelines to keep in mind. An authorized legal representative must be either:
- An attorney who is:
- A member in good standing of the bar of a U.S. state or territory, or the District of Columbia,
- Not disbarred or otherwise restricted in the practice of law, and
- Eligible to practice law in the United States.
or
- A representative accredited by the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Legal Access Programs and working for an organization on the DOJ’s List of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives.
An authorized legal representative is allowed to:
- Advise you about which forms to file and when to file them;
- Give you advice about the correct documents and evidence to submit;
- Explain immigration options you may have;
- Help you fill out USCIS forms; and
- Communicate with USCIS about your case.
We recognize that the immigration process can be complex and that applicants, petitioners, and requestors are at risk of becoming victims of scams or fraud. We encourage you to use the information on this webpage to help safeguard your information and avoid becoming a victim.
When you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice recognized organization. Nobody else is authorized to give you legal advice about immigration matters.
CIS is error-prone and susceptible to political whims, especially if the CIS case officer has a personal bias against any group or if there are diplomatic/political problems with the clients’ home country. Overcoming those errors and bias takes experience and skill, knowing how to beat the bureaucracy at its own game.