Going through the immigration process is tough enough on its own, but when you have legal help, it takes a lot of stress out of the equation. Unfortunately, sometimes you might think–or even have paid for–legal help, but your attorney hasn’t filed your paperwork. At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we’ll be upfront with you from the very beginning and keep you informed. Set up a consultation today.
Can I Do Anything If I Hired an Attorney That Didn’t File My Immigration Paperwork?
You obviously never want to be in the dark about your immigration case status, especially when it involves your own attorney. But unfortunately, this happens way more often than you might like to think. When it does, it leaves you facing critical issues with your immigration status, like:
- Missing a critical deadline, like filing before a visa expires or before your court hearing.
- Your case potentially being considered abandoned by USCIS or the immigration court.
- Losing eligibility for relief that you once qualified for.
- Having a removal order issued because nothing was submitted on your behalf.
The stakes are high—but it doesn’t always mean it’s too late to fix it. Here’s what you can do in this situation:
- Call a new lawyer–quickly – Your first move should be to talk to a new, experienced immigration attorney. Once you reach out, our team is going to do a few things:
- Ask your full immigration file (including anything your previous lawyer may or may not have submitted)
- Assess the damage
- Figure out the cleanest way to correct the problem.
- Request your case file on your own – Through a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request, you can request your A-File from USCIS to confirm exactly what’s in your immigration record—and more importantly, what’s missing. The more information you can give us, the quicker we can work to fix things.
- Refile or Motion to Reopen –If a deadline passed or your case was denied or closed, your new lawyer may be able to file a motion to reopen the case—especially if the original mistake wasn’t your fault. Courts and agencies don’t always grant these motions, but if you can show that your attorney was negligent or dishonest, you may have a strong chance.
- File a Bar complaint – If your former attorney was licensed and simply failed to do their job, you can file a complaint with the state bar. If they were not a real lawyer (a “notario” or unlicensed consultant), that’s a separate issue—and they may be subject to criminal charges. Reporting them can help protect others from going through the same thing.
Even if this happened months ago, don’t assume it’s too late. Immigration timelines are strict, but the system does offer paths to correct legal mistakes—especially if you act quickly and can show that the failure was out of your hands.
Maison Law Immigration Lawyers Can Help When Your Previous Attorney Failed You
At Maison Law Immigration Lawyers, we’ve worked with immigrants who lost valuable time or even got removal orders simply because their attorney dropped the ball. If this has happened to you, you don’t have to start over alone. We can:
- Review your current immigration status and what deadlines apply
- Reconstruct what should have been filed
- Communicate with USCIS or the court on your behalf
- Take urgent legal action to stop deportation or reopen your case
- Help you rebuild trust in the legal process
If your attorney failed to file your immigration paperwork, you have every right to feel frustrated and afraid of what comes next. But it’s not the end of the road. With the right team, there are ways to correct the record, reopen your case, and keep your future on track. Reach out today, and let’s talk about what went wrong—and how we can help make it right.
