What to Expect at Your First Immigration Consultation

The Hardest Part Is Picking Up the Phone

We know. You have been carrying this for months, maybe years. The letter from USCIS. The court date that keeps getting closer. The fear that one wrong move changes everything. You have thought about calling a lawyer, but something stops you. Maybe it is the cost. Maybe it is the fear of exposing yourself. Maybe you just do not know what to expect.

Here is the truth: the consultation is free. It is confidential. And by the end of it, you will know more about your situation than you do right now. That alone is worth the call.

What to Bring

Bring everything immigration-related you have. Your passport. Your I-94 arrival/departure record. Any letters or notices from USCIS, ICE, or the immigration court. Any prior immigration applications you have filed. Your work permit, if you have one. Court hearing notices. If you have a criminal record, bring those documents too, because criminal history affects immigration options and we need the full picture.

If you do not have all of these documents, come anyway. We work with what you have. Missing paperwork is not a reason to delay.

What Happens During the Consultation

The attorney will ask you questions about your immigration history: when you arrived, how you entered, what your current status is, whether you have ever been in removal proceedings, and what your goals are. If you are seeking asylum, the attorney will ask about the circumstances in your home country and the reasons you are afraid to return.

This is not an interrogation. It is a conversation. We need to understand your situation fully so we can give you honest, accurate advice. Everything you tell us is protected by attorney-client privilege, which means we cannot share it with anyone, including the government, without your permission.

What You Will Learn

By the end of the consultation, you will know whether you have a viable case. The attorney will explain which forms of relief you may qualify for (asylum, cancellation of removal, adjustment of status, TPS, withholding, or something else). You will hear a realistic assessment of the timeline, not false promises. And you will receive a clear breakdown of costs, because we use flat fees, which means you know the total before you decide.

If we cannot help you, we will say so. We will explain why and, if possible, point you toward someone who can.

It Is Confidential

We cannot say this enough. Attorney-client privilege is one of the strongest protections in American law. Nothing you tell us during the consultation can be disclosed without your consent. You can speak freely. You can tell us the full truth about your situation, including things you might be afraid to tell anyone else. That honesty is what allows us to give you the best possible advice.

In Your Language

We conduct consultations in English, Spanish, Haitian Creole, French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Sinhala, and Tamil. You do not have to struggle to explain your situation in a language that is not yours. You do not have to bring a friend to translate. You can tell your story in the language you think in, and we will understand every word.

By Phone, Zoom, or In Person

You do not have to come to our office. We work with people across the country by phone and video. If you prefer to meet in person, we are at 277 Broadway, Suite 1501, in Lower Manhattan, near City Hall. The quality of the consultation is the same regardless of how we meet.

Take the Step

You have been thinking about this long enough. The call takes five minutes. The consultation gives you clarity. And clarity is the first step toward making the fear smaller.

Call (212) 219-3244. Or visit bardavidlaw.com/contact to schedule online.