According to the Cato Institute, the green card approval rate in America has reached an all-time low, with only about 3% of applicants receiving permanent status in fiscal year 2024. This is because of the large backlogs of pending applications at the start of the fiscal year.

Migrating to the States is a dream for most people, but getting a green card is a long and arduous process. It is filled with legal challenges and paperwork, which can easily overwhelm even the most determined person. 

But don’t worry because, according to Sanjay Sobti, an immigration attorney based in Riverside, the approval rate and processing for green cards have been steadily increasing over these past few years. It is the job of an immigration lawyer to figure out the difficulties of the green card process for you and will stand for your eligibility, give you professional advice, and represent you in legal proceedings.

That is not all—they are your best chance of learning immigration laws and opening the door to your new life. Here’s how:

Assess Your Eligibility and Provide Expert Advice

According to Riverside immigration lawyer Sanjay Sobti, whatever immigration-related issue you’re facing, you need a lawyer to guide you. An attorney can assess your qualifications, such as whether you have familial links to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, whether you were at least 16 years of age for employment, or in what other categories you may be eligible, (i.e., on the classification as an asylee or that of a refugee). Your lawyer will honestly consider your situation and coach you through the process, all to see that you satisfy every requirement.

A lawyer will help you pick the best approach for your immigration needs.

Prepare and Review Documentation

Collecting all necessary documentation and examining it for the green card process is an important step since any mistakes or omissions within your documents might cause a delay or even outright denial of your green card case.

The lawyer will walk you through the documentation requirements, making sure that you have all the forms, supporting documents, and evidence to back your cause. They go through all the documents to ensure that the paperwork is correct and complete, as documentary evidence can be of various things, including application forms such as Form I-485 and supporting documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, and passports. 

You will not worry about acquiring proof of financial resources, job history or educational qualifications because your lawyer will organize and submit the needed documents for you, making sure to follow the standards set by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Dealing with the Complex Application Process

Having a lawyer by your side is one of the advantages to successfully dealing with the complex procedures, as they have knowledge of the rules and guidelines of the green card application process. They will make sure you are able to keep on the straight and narrow.

In addition, having an attorney write your case might help to make your application solid and convincing. They can review your forms and documentation to confirm their accuracy and also to verify whether you have included everything, especially evidence regarding your eligibility for a Green Card. They might also be of service in scrapping over situations that might become hindrances in the process, such as immigration violations in the past or a criminal record. 

An attorney will stand by you for all aspects of the matter, from application rejection or delays onward. They will explain why you were denied and try to figure out if you have any trail to appeal or reapply. They will then resolve issues causing the delays in the processing of your application.

Represent Clients in Legal Proceedings

When it comes to legal matters, the assistance of an experienced lawyer can literally make all the difference. Your attorney will be there to advise and support you by attending hearings before the judge, filing the necessary papers, and negotiating with the other party. They do have the mastery of immigration law and will be able to effectively represent your interests before a judge or any other law-giving authority. 

Together with making strong cases for you, a lawyer will help to eliminate a lot of stress and doubt that generally accompanies legal proceedings. They will make sure you understand what is going on every step of the way by explaining it in clear, concise terms.

Remember, hiring a lawyer involves many advantages for you and the stage of having to get a green card. They look at your eligibility, should provide you with good advice, and assist you with preparing and reviewing all documentation that you require.

The assistance of a lawyer can make sure that everything is in accordance with immigration laws, increasing your success in obtaining a green card.