Asylum cases have always been one of the most complex of all immigration law practices. Apart from the fact that the applicant is seeking a country for protection, the case requires substantial evidence to be eligible for a grant. Given these reasons, hiring an asylum attorney is the most recommended step to initiate.
A legal representative can assist in your filing and submission of forms, asylum interview, and what you need to know that can help you prove your eligibility to the officials. Therefore, these services come with a price.
What Do You Pay For?
Besides the amount to pay an asylum attorney, some fees are mandatory to proceed with the application. Last October 2020, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) charged a $50 fee for an asylum application. However, the subject is still in the process of court jurisdiction and is still not confirmed for approval. Nevertheless, asylum and immigration lawyers include USCIS fees in their overall charge as part of their services.
Other mandatory factors that predict the amount you pay for your attorney are his or her field experience and practice. These are a pre-determining factor on how much you will pay since asylum cases are not easy to defend in court. Payment also depends on how significant your case is; if your case is near the one-year mark deadline of application or lacks sufficient evidence to prevent deportation. These circumstances often charge more than the average pay. The average wage of an asylum attorney in the United States is within $1000 – $3000. Therefore, if your case is more obscure, you would be paying an amount of more than $1000.
The preparation and time provided for the case are also one of the considerations in their payment. The more the case is on a time constraint, the more likely they will require an additional fee. It applies in conditions, such as applying after the one-year mark since your latest arrival in the United States. Because there are many complexities beyond being in the country for more than a year, attorneys usually charge an extra for their assistance in documentations, appeal, and other case formalities.
What If I Am Not Financially Capable?
Hiring an asylum attorney is the most advisable step to take on due to its immigration type. However, since asylum is complex by nature, the services it needs can be expensive for some applicants. There are non-profit organizations that provide services at an affordable rate or, often, free of charge. The immigration court has a list of organizations and lawyers that offer services at a low rate and are qualified to defend in court. Although, it would not be easy to find an organization that can take over your case secondary to its high demand.
Conclusion
To pay an asylum attorney with the right amount based on their assistance, you should know what you will pay for and where exactly your money is going. By being aware of the calculations and services they offer, it would be easier for you to find the attorney that fits your needs.