Tragic Immigrant Waiver Case Shows Importance of Legal Advice
Posted on | February 12, 2010 | No Comments
A tragic story from New York is a sobering reminder of the importance of securing experienced legal representation for your immigration case. An undocumented immigrant from Ecuador lost hope after three years of fighting to return to the United States, his U.S. citizen wife, and their four young children.
The man left the United States on voluntary departure rather than be deported, but his lawyer did not tell him that he would need an I-601 waiver for unlawful presence to return. As the months passed, his wife lost her home, his young children developed psychological problems, and he lost hope. He committed suicide shortly before last Christmas.
There is no doubt that our immigration system is broken, and sadly this story is just another piece of evidence. We must all come together—illegal aliens, lawful permanent residents, and supportive U.S. citizen allies—to achieve comprehensive immigration reform. But in the meantime, the immigrant community must also learn how to survive under the existing rules.
Simply put—if you are not a U.S. citizen, you should talk with an attorney today:
> Illegal immigrants need to know whether they can adjust status or if they have to wait for reforms, and an experienced immigration lawyer can help protect them even if they are arrested or detained by ICE.
> Visa holders need to understand the consequences of overstaying a visa or violating its rules.
> LPRs need to find out the problems that could arise if they travel outside the United States and have any criminal history.
In immigration law, nothing is more dangerous than bad advice. The couple at the center of this tragedy was misled by an inexperienced attorney who promised them a quick, painless outcome without explaining the risks and possible delays. If you need earnest advice from an experienced Nevada immigration attorney, please contact us today.
Tags: Citizenship > Ecuador > I-601 Waiver of Inadmissibility > Immigration Attorney > Immigration Lawyer > Immigration Reform > LPR > Nevada > New York > Unlawful Presence > Voluntary Departure
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