Why Working with an Immigration Attorney Matters More Than Ever in Today’s Climate
If you’ve been thinking about filing your marriage-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) on your own, I get it. On the surface, the forms look “straightforward,” and there’s a temptation to save on attorney fees. In today’s immigration climate, where even a small hiccup can snowball into a denial that triggers a Notice to Appear for deportation (NTA) and puts you in deportation proceedings, working with an experienced marriage green card attorney is no longer a luxury. It’s a necessity. An experienced immigration attorney is not just a “form filler” — they guide you so that your Adjustment of Status interview is as easy as possible and is standing beside you until your Green Card is in hand.
1. RFEs That Go Unnoticed
Imagine you filed your AOS without an attorney, and USCIS issues a Request for Evidence (RFE). RFEs are time-sensitive, and if you don’t receive it in the mail or don’t understand how to properly respond, your case will be denied. No second chances. What was once a fixable oversight suddenly becomes a potential deportation case.
2. The I-864 Affidavit of Support Trap
The I-864 form is deceptively tricky. Something as simple as:
forgetting to include all pages,
missing the required household member’s income, or
not attaching proper tax documents
can all result in a denial. Unlike other applications where USCIS might give leeway, the Affidavit of Support is unforgiving. An adjustment of status lawyer knows how to avoid these pitfalls.
3. Responding Incorrectly to RFEs
Even when you do respond, RFEs are not “close enough counts.” If you don’t address every single item USCIS asked for, in exactly the way they require, your response is treated as incomplete. In today’s enforcement-focused environment, that translates directly into a denial.
4. Submitting the Wrong Civil Documents
The U.S. Department of State publishes reciprocity tables for each country. For example, a birth certificate from China must be in the Notarial Birth Certificate format. Sending in the wrong version, even if it looks “official,” is grounds for a denial. A green card lawyer ensures the right documents are provided the first time.
5. More “Small Things” That Lead to Denials
Other common but costly errors we’ve seen in self-prepared filings include:
Submitting expired translations without a translator’s certification.
Filing with an outdated edition of a USCIS form (they change often).
Sending payments with the wrong filing fee, USCIS simply rejects or denies.
Not providing the sealed medical exam (I-693) in the correct format.
Using the wrong version of a marriage certificate (e.g., religious only, without civil registration).
Forgetting to update address changes is causing USCIS notices to go astray.
Each of these might sound like a small oversight. But today, small mistakes carry big risks.
“We were originally contemplating completing the complex application process ourselves to save on costs. However, after our initial consultation, we knew we had made the right choice in working with Sharon. Her team identified specific areas within our application to strengthen and clarify, including nuances we would have completely overlooked on our own. They also provided us with detailed instructions on what evidence we needed to collect, and how we should present it to the USCIS. We concurrently filed for the I-130, I-485, I-765, and I-131, and thanks to their attention to detail, the entire process was smooth from start to finish.”
Why a Marriage Green Card Attorney is Your Safety Net
Working with an experienced attorney who specializes in marriage immigration or family immigration means you don’t have to lose sleep over missing a form revision date or worrying whether your birth certificate meets U.S. reciprocity rules. My role as a marriage immigration lawyer is to:
Anticipate RFEs before they’re even issued,
Prepare submissions that are airtight,
Protect you from unnecessary denials that could escalate into deportation proceedings.
Your case deserves precision, not guesswork!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I really file my marriage-based Adjustment of Status (AOS) on my own?
Yes, technically you can. But while the forms may look straightforward, even small errors, like missing a page, forgetting a tax document, or submitting the wrong civil record, can trigger a denial or worse, an NTA (Notice to Appear). An attorney ensures your case is prepared correctly from the start.
2. What happens if I miss or mishandle a Request for Evidence (RFE)?
Requests for Evidence are time-sensitive, and if not answered fully and on time, USCIS can deny your entire case. Many self-filers don’t even realize they received a Request for Evidence until it’s too late. An attorney tracks deadlines, interprets USCIS requests, and ensures your response is complete and compliant.
3. Why is the I-864 Affidavit of Support so complicated?
The I-864 is one of the most common pitfalls in marriage green card cases. Missing a household member’s income, forgetting supporting tax returns, or submitting an outdated form can all lead to denial. Attorneys know the fine print and prevent costly mistakes.
4. Do I really need to worry about country-specific civil documents?
Yes. The U.S. requires specific document formats depending on your country of birth or marriage. For example, a standard birth certificate from some countries isn’t acceptable; you need the exact version listed in the reciprocity tables. A lawyer makes sure you don’t waste months submitting the wrong documents.
5. What are the most common mistakes people make when filing without a lawyer?
Expired translations, outdated USCIS forms, incorrect fees, missing sealed medical exams, or failing to update addresses with USCIS, all of these can derail a case. An attorney’s role is to anticipate and prevent these small but devastating errors.
Final Thoughts: Protect Your Future
This new administration has made it clear: immigration is under a microscope. Small missteps that might have slipped under the radar before can now put your entire future at risk. That’s why investing in legal representation is about more than filing paperwork; it’s about safeguarding your chance to live, love, and thrive in the United States without the looming shadow of an NTA (Notice to Appear for deportation proceedings).
Your love story deserves more than trial-and-error paperwork. With the right guidance, we can make your AOS process smooth, strong, and stress-free. We meet our clients where they are! No doubt, you must be looking for the best immigration attorney in NYC, so give us a call and see if we meet your expectations. We meet our clients where they are! Should you or your loved one have any questions or need representation, please do not hesitate to contact us. Although we are located in New York City, we represent clients all over the 50 states of the US. Call us, email us, or review other options to get in touch with us for an immigration consultation. We have represented many clients with successful results, even with the most difficult set of facts. Although we are located in New York City, we represent clients all over the 50 states of the US.