Tag: notarios

Never do this with Immigration!!!

Posted by Ammar Alo, Esq. on May 6, 2024

The best piece of advice I can give to anyone going through the immigration process:
DON’T LIE!!!!

“Duh!” you might say. “That’s obvious!”
Well, it should be obvious, but then explain the countless cases I have seen where I have caught a ~~lie~~, … I mean, “discrepancy”. I discussed it briefly in a TikTok video I made not too long ago.

So, what am I talking about here? What kind of things have I seen get people’s cases totally off the rails?
Well, how about these for example:

Different Birth Dates
Different Marriage Dates
Names/number of children
Marriages
Employment, occupations
Military Service
Past Persecution (Asylum Cases)
Address History

Just to name a few

So the next logical question is “why did you lie”? and it basically comes down to 4 main reasons, and the answers might surprise you.

The first and most innocent answer is that it was a mistake or typo. This I can totally understand. We all make mistakes, yes, even us attorneys, and that is why we have to double and triple check everything we submit. We do that with our clients, after we are completely finished with a file, and before it gets mailed out, we check it again, send it to our clients for a review, and check it one last time right before mailing.

However, if you have someone else help you with the forms, this type of quality check is most likely not there. Notarios are “notorious” for making mistakes, or just making stuff up, and that brings us to the second reason why people lie on their applications.

“The Notario/Form preparer filled it out, I don’t know what they put in there”. Really?? That’s the excuse you are going to use when you are in front of a USCIS officer, embassy official, or immigration judge? There’s no excuse for not reviewing what is submitted on your behalf. If you sign something, you better have reviewed it (this applies to everything by-the-way, not just immigration).

The third reason is both dumb and naive: “I lied because I thought it would increase my chances of approval.” Really? You think immigration officials are idiots? You really think they have no way of verifying any information that you have claimed?
Do you really think that by lying, you will have a better chance? How do you even know what kind of information is favorable? The most common lies people think will give them a better chance at Tourist Visas is to claim they are married/single, or they have kids, or they own some kind of business. They believe that by making these claims, immigration officers will believe that they will definitely come back to their home country after their visit to the US. What they don’t know is that if they are caught lying, they can be barred from EVER coming to the US.
Don’t do it, it’s not worth it.

This last reason of why applicants lie is the worst, and the most wicked: They are trying to hide something that will get them denied or arrested.
Criminal records, group memberships, gang memberships, military service, past marriages, all come to mind.

In conclusion, lying on your applications is a huge mistake. Not only is it wrong to lie for any reason and in any situation, but it will also severely harm your chances of immigrating to the US. And, as I said in the video, if you don’t get caught the first time, you will probably get caught down the road, most likely at your Naturalization interview.

It’s best to consult with an experienced Immigration Attorney who can help you navigate this complex maze we call the US Immigration System.

Contact us today!

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Fiancé Visa vs. Spousal Visa

Posted by Ammar Alo, Esq. on May 3, 2024

We get this question all the time, which one is better, which one is faster. Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits all answer; it all depends on your situation. So, let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each.

When it comes to uniting with a partner from another country in the United States, couples have two primary visa options: the Fiancé Visa (K-1) and the Spousal Visa (CR-1/IR-1). Each path has its unique set of advantages and challenges, and the right choice depends on various factors including the couple’s circumstances, preferences, and priorities.

Fiancé Visa (K-1)

Pros:

Speed: Generally, the K-1 visa process is quicker, allowing the foreign fiancé to enter the U.S. faster.

Marriage Flexibility: Couples can plan their wedding in the U.S. within 90 days of the fiancé’s arrival.

U.S. Ceremony: Ideal for those who wish to have their marriage ceremony in the United States, and may not be able to get married overseas.
Get to know each other: This allows you the opportunity to get to know each other before starting the Permanent Residence process.

Cons:

Temporary Status: The K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, meaning the fiancé must adjust their status to a permanent resident after marriage.

Limited to U.S. Citizens: Only U.S. citizens can petition for a K-1 visa, not permanent residents.

No Direct Green Card: The fiancé does not receive a green card immediately upon entry and must go through an adjustment of status process.

Speed: Although it is supposed to be quicker, many times, it takes just as long as a Spousal Visa.

Spousal Visa (CR-1/IR-1)

Pros:

Permanent Status: The spouse enters the U.S. as a permanent resident and receives a green card shortly after.

Available to Permanent Residents: Both U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can petition for a spouse. Although, wait times for Permanent Resident petitioners can be lengthy.

No Adjustment Required: Since the spouse enters with an immigrant visa, there’s no need for Adjustment of Status after arrival.

Cons:

Longer Process: The spousal visa process can take longer, delaying the couple’s reunion in the U.S.

Marriage Requirement: The couple must be married before applying, which might require planning an overseas wedding.

Limited Travel: The spouse may face travel restrictions to the US while the visa is being processed.

Conclusion

Choosing between a Fiancé Visa and a Spousal Visa is a significant decision that can impact the couple’s future. It’s essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consider personal circumstances, such as where you want to marry and how quickly you wish to be together in the U.S. Consulting with an immigration attorney can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

I hope this blog post provides a clear comparison to help you or others make an informed decision regarding the immigration process. Remember, immigration laws are complex and subject to change, so it’s always best to consult with a legal expert for the most current advice

Call or book a consultation today: https://alolegal.com/contact-us/

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Biggest mistake while filing an I-130

Posted by Ammar Alo, Esq. on May 1, 2024

Don’t make this mistake!!!
I have seen this enough times that it now requires a blog post. Unfortunately, it’s happens with applicants who don’t hire attorneys, who either try to do it themselves, or ask for help from the wrong person.
This is Immigration 101, and any immigration lawyer, with even minimal experience, should never make this mistake. This mistake can cost you thousands of dollars, and months of delays.

Here it is:
When filling out an I-130 Petition for Alien Relative with USCIS, make sure you fill out one of these two sections:

If you don’t fill out one these sections, USCIS doesn’t know what to do with your case once its approved, and it will just sit in their offices collecting dust. The only way to get it moving is to fill out an I-824, and pay that fee. It will also take USCIS a ridiculous amount of time to just send your application to where you need it to go.

If your relative is inside the US, and you are eligible for Adjustment of Status, you fill out the first section.
If your relative is overseas, and will continue the process at a US Embassy, you fill out the second section.

The biggest mistake you can make is NOT consulting an experienced immigration attorney anytime you are dealing with any immigration issues.
You can contact us here: https://alolegal.com/contact-us/

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How to fill out your Affidavit of Support

Posted by Ammar Alo, Esq. on April 26, 2024 with 0 Comment

Immigration Pro tip for people filling out an Affidavit of Support Form I-864:

When you get to this section on Page 5, please read the question carefully.
You need to put your “Total Income” if you file an IRS form 1040, like the majority of tax payers.

If you filed your taxes on the lesser used form 1040EZ, you need to put your Adjusted Gross Income “AGI” .

I see this mistake way too often. It leads to RFEs.

Hire an experienced immigration attorney today, to help you reunite with your family.

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Should I hire an Immigration Lawyer?

Posted by Ammar Alo, Esq. on April 24, 2024 with 0 Comment

This is a question we hear far too often, and the short answer is “Definitely”!
At the very least, consult with an experienced, highly rated, Immigration Lawyer before starting your journey.

Here is an infographic we put together comparing our firm, Alo Legal, with a popular alternative to lawyers, “Notarios”.

Be aware that “Notarios” come in many different forms and names. They could call themselves “immigration paralegals”, “Immigration Preparers” or “Immigration Form Preparers”, but they all have one thing in common; they are NOT AUTHORIZED to practice Immigration Law.

They should be prosecuted for the Unauthorized Practice of Law. However, they don’t care because they have no license to lose.

Don’t make the mistake of paying a Notario, hire an Immigration Lawyer in the first place. Otherwise, you’ll be hiring a lawyer to clean up the mess created by the Notario.

Contact top rated Immigration Lawyer, Ammar Alo, to help you reunite with your family.

(734) 215-5242 Michigan

(419) 913-1580 Ohio

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Notario vs. Lawyer