by Angel Martin
My name is Angela. A little over a year ago I met my husband, an Israeli citizen working temporarily in America sponsored by the Israeli company by which he was employed.
As we dated and became closer, we realized we couldn't stand to separate at the end of his stay. He was to be in the U.S. for six months, and in the time we had been together we had gotten an apartment and engaged to marry. We knew that once his time was up with the company for which he worked, he would have to become legal in order to find another job. We would be married by that time, so, young and naive, we assumed the process would be relatively easy and painless. We had no idea what a fight was in store for us. We did some research on line about what petitions we would need to file, and were shocked to find out how expensive the required petitions would be.
Unbeknown to us, our information was inaccurate, and instead of needing somewhere around $500, a price we already found to be outrageous, we would need over $1000. Beyond that, we realized certain particulars of our case would make the process even more difficult, as my husband had overstayed his visa in the United Kingdom by several months a few years before. We knew that every paper and procedure had to be completed perfectly before submission lest we be set back an additional six months, as one small mistake can often mean getting your entire submission returned to you, and we knew there were certain issues with our case that called for professional insight and navigation. We were sure an attorney would be incredibly expensive, and I was concerned about hiring an attorney for the first time in my life without having a single trusted recommendation. I knew hiring the wrong representation could be a costly and unpleasant mistake.
One night I was watching a network news show, the topic of which happened to be immigration that evening. One of the contributing analysts was an immigration attorney from New York City named Rahul Manchanda. I knew as a pundit on a national news show he had to be accomplished and well-established, but what stood out most was his passion and knowledgeability regarding immigration issues. It was obvious to me that his heart was in it. He was also very warm and charming even as he debated, and I decided to at least contact him and hope that he might take my case. I researched him and discovered that he had an international reputation as one of the very best in his field, which also made me certain his prices would be far too high for any mere mortal to afford.
I decided to contact him anyway, and made an appointment to visit his office. It is located on Wall Street, which was at once intimidating and reassuring. The office was, as expected, quite nice and also reasonably private. Upon meeting him I was pleasantly surprised by the fact that while in my mind I was far from a client of significance or importance, Mr. Manchanda treated me like his top priority. I was even more surprised to find that his prices were so affordable, he did nothing to perpetuate the stereotype of the "bloodsucking lawyer" who would bleed his clients for all their worth. The best part about his work as our attorney was the fact that he cared. He understood what our situation meant for us. He understood that all we wanted was the simple dignity that came with the right to work. My husband knew all too well how easily it was to be taken advantage by greedy employers who knew the position in which the pre-legal worker found himself.
One could work for a week and come to find that his boss had no intention of paying him. Worse yet, no matter your qualifications, and my husband was an EMT, without legalization you are at the mercy of whatever under the table work you can find. Mr. Manchanda understood that this immigration quagmire was stubbornly preventing us from establishing our lives together, which is all two people in love really want to do. This case, as with most immigration cases, was very personally significant and Mr. Manchanda treated it that way. I'm honestly not sure where we would be without the help of Rahul Manchanda, but I am sure that thanks to him my husband and I can go to sleep at night without the nagging fear that we had gotten in over our heads and might not find our way out together.
The American immigration process is not user friendly. I believe it is intentionally designed to to be difficult and overwhelming. I believe it functions as a filter. Not everyone who begins the process of legalization will need an attorney, but many will. Most reasons for leaving one country and becoming a citizen of another are deeply important, and if you find that the current seems to be against you, you may need the help of a professional. It is so important to choose wisely. Do your research and consider carefully.
Rahul Manchanda made all the difference for us, and I'm proud to reccomend him to anyone in need of good representation, it's the least I can do. He offers free initial consultations, and sometimes that first bit of guidance can make all the difference in helping you to understand your course of action. But please, regardless of who you choose as your representation, make sure he or she is a good human being as well as a good attorney.
About the Author
For help with immigration issues visit http://www.manchanda-law.com today to set up your FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION with one of the nation's top immigration attorneys, Rahul Manchanda. Manchanda Law Offices PLLC 80 Wall Street, Suite 705 New York, NY 10005 phone: (212)968-8600
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