Immigration Attorney

[dcphaethon]

I submitted my I-129F to the Texas Service Center and they started processing it on Nov. 23.  I'm now on my 8th week and they are still processing it.  A guy I talked to at INS looked at my file and told me an estimate would be 3 more weeks at the service center before it could be approved and sent on to Moscow.  

So my understanding is that it takes 6-8 weeks for the paperwork to get from Texas to Moscow, then 2 weeks in Moscow for some processing, then would it be unrealistic to expect them to only need a month to schedule her interview in Moscow?  My fiancee has no children, it would just be her coming over.

My point of writing this is, I talked to an immigration lawyer and he told me that I'm looking at 7-8 more months before my fiancee would get her visa in hand.  He told me that he can get it in her hand by May...but for $1800.  I looked at the contract and it doesn't really require him to do anything but "communicate as necessary" or "advise on this or that".  

I want my fiancee to be here in the States before her birthday (May 28). What would you advise?  Take a chance with the immigration lawyer or what?  

Please respond using my email address.
Thanks.

[John K]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

This sounds like he's trying to pull the wool over your eyes.  Based on what I remember, you could have her over here by May without him.  The only way he could speed it up is if you were going to make a mistake filling out the paperwork.

This stuff isn't that difficult.  I just preferred to use an attorney, as I didn't want to have to worry about which forms to use and what supporting documents to send.  To be honest though, my attorney is around simply to keep track of all the paperwork that the INS sends me and to remind me when something important comes up.  Kind of like a glorified secretary at times, other times a legal clerk, and once in a while I use his legal experience to help me make a decision.

I'd give this guy a pass.  It sounds too fishy to me...

[Mike]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

When I was involved in the k-1 process several months ago TSC was the only service center that used FedEx to send approvals to Moscow, so I suspect if this is still the case then your package will arrive much sooner then you think. The Moscow Embassy has a FedEx office inside the same building! I used NSC and once the package leaves their office it takes 2 weeks to reach Moscow by normal mail ( which is what they use now ), then another 16 days for the name check then they will give an interview date.
Mike

[tim360z]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

In your case an "immigration lawyer" will happily take your money...but unless he's got some very heavy duty "grease" there is not much he can do.  But,  while taking a shower,  he will think about your "case" and happily bill you.  You don't need a lawyer.

[tfcrew]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

Save your money. The $1800 would be best served in visiting your lady. Do promise much, deliver little lawyers need to be richer? phooey

[DE]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

Keep your money!  You've already done the work!

[davet]

... in response to Immigration Attorney, posted by dcphaethon on Jan 20, 2002

Hi,
The attorney can't get any faster processing thru the INS or the embassy.  All he can do is make sure any and all paperwork that you do submit is correct and complete so the INS or the embassy doesn't asked for more info and delay the process.

The INS, in my opinion, is processing the K-1 approval fairly quickly and on the schedule they hand out.  Once your application has been approved, then getting the INS to cable Moscow with that approval will save some time.  If they don't cable the approval, figure 4 weeks pouch time.  Once Moscow receives the approval, they will schedule your fiancee for the first available interview date.  My approval (granted November 6, 2001 by the NSC, INS) reached Moscow December 5, 2001, and the interview is scheduled for March 4, 2002.

So, in your case, if the INS is correct in it taking 3 more weeks for approval plus 1 month pouch time plus 3 months interview interval, you are probably realistically looking at early June for the interview.  You may luck out and get in faster in time for the birthday.  At this stage of the game, however, an attorney is not going to do squat except take your money.