What to bring to your first meeting with an immigration lawyer

This page helps you get ready for a first meeting. It is general information, not legal advice. To choose and check a lawyer first, see How to find a lawyer you can trust.

Why does getting ready matter so much?

A first meeting is usually short. The lawyer or accredited representative uses that time to learn your history, look for any risks, and see which options may fit you. Free and low cost offices may also have long wait lists, so you may get only one first meeting for a while.

When your papers are in order, the time goes to your case, not to searching through a bag. You also get a clearer answer. A lawyer can only judge what they can see. A missing paper can hide a risk, or hide a path that would help you.

Only a lawyer or a Department of Justice accredited representative may give you immigration legal advice. A notario, a notary public or a tax preparer may not. Make sure the person you are meeting is one of the two. Here is how to check.

What papers should I bring?

Bring every paper that touches your immigration history, even ones you think do not matter. Let the lawyer decide what is important. Copies are best. Put them in order by date, oldest first. This is our suggested list, not any one office's official list, so when you book, ask what else they want you to bring.

Who you are

• Passport, including old and expired ones. Bring every page with a stamp or visa.
• Birth certificate from your home country, with an English translation if you have one
• Any ID: consular ID, California ID or driver's license, work permit, green card
• Any number the government gave you: your A number (it starts with "A" and is on many immigration papers), Social Security number, ITIN

How and when you came

• Visas, and your I-94 arrival record. You can print it on the CBP I-94 website.
• Anything you got at the border, even if you do not understand it
• If you came with no papers, write down the dates and places you crossed and anything that happened with officers

Every paper from the government

• Every letter from USCIS, such as receipt notices, approval or denial notices, and interview notices
• Copies of every application anyone ever filed for you, or that you filed yourself. This includes forms filed by a notario or a past lawyer.
• Anything from immigration court: a Notice to Appear, hearing notices, a judge's order
• Anything from ICE: check in papers, release papers, an order of supervision

Your family

• Marriage certificates, and divorce papers for every past marriage
• Birth certificates of your children
• Papers that show the status of your spouse, children and parents, such as a U.S. passport, a naturalization certificate or a green card

Your life here

• Papers that show how long you have lived in the U.S., such as leases, school records, tax returns or medical records. A few from each year is a good start. See Papers that show how long you have lived here.
• Tax returns, if you filed. Some offices also ask about income to decide if you qualify for free help.

If you were ever a victim of a crime

• Police reports, restraining orders, or medical records about it. Some options exist for survivors. See Immigration options for survivors.

What if I have been arrested?

Bring proof of how every arrest, ticket or court case ended, even if the charges were dropped, the case was dismissed, or it happened years ago or when you were young. The paper that matters most is the final court record, often called the disposition.

Do not guess and do not leave anything out. Immigration rules on crimes are strict and different from criminal court rules. A case you think is small can matter, and a case you fear may not hurt you at all. Only the lawyer can tell, and only if they see it.

To get your records, see How to get a copy of your criminal record in California.

What if I have a court date coming?

Bring every paper from the immigration court. When you call to book, say right away that you have a hearing date and give the date.

Before the meeting, look up your case on EOIR Automated Case Information. You need your A number and your country of nationality. You can also call the hotline at 1-800-898-7180. Write down your next hearing date and the court's name, or take a screenshot.

Never skip a hearing while you wait for a lawyer. See Do I have to go to immigration court?

What should I write down before I go?

A short timeline saves time and helps you remember. One page is enough. Write:

• Every date you entered and left the U.S., and how (visa, border crossing, with or without inspection)
• Any time you were stopped, held, or sent back at the border or by immigration officers
• Every immigration application ever filed for you, by whom, and what happened
• Every arrest or ticket, with the date and city
• Your family members and their status
• Anything you are afraid of if you go back to your home country, and why

Then write your questions. Put the most important one first, in case time runs out.

Is what I say kept private?

Yes, in most cases. Under California law, the lawyer and client privilege covers a person who talks with a lawyer to hire them or to get legal advice. That means it covers a first meeting, even if you do not hire that lawyer. You hold the privilege, and you can keep the lawyer and others from sharing what you said.

So tell the whole truth, including the hard parts: a past deportation, a false paper, a past arrest. A lawyer who does not know the full story cannot protect you from the risk.

If an interpreter, a friend or a family member sits in with you, ask the lawyer first whether that person should stay in the room for every part of the meeting.

What should I ask?

Good questions for a first meeting:

• What options might I have, and what are the risks of each?
• Is there any risk in filing anything at all for me right now?
• Are there deadlines I must not miss?
• Will you take my case? If not, who can?
• What will it cost, including government fees? Is it a flat fee or hourly?
• Who will work on my case, and how do I reach them?
• What happens next, and when will I hear from you?

For a longer list and what a fair agreement looks like, see How to find a lawyer you can trust.

What should I leave at home?

• Originals you cannot replace, like a passport or a birth certificate, unless the office asks for them. Bring copies or photos instead.
• Cash for a large payment. Never pay a big fee before you get a written agreement. Ask for a receipt for every payment.
• Your children, if you can. You will need to focus, and some parts of your story may be hard to tell in front of them.

Do not sign anything you do not understand, and do not sign a blank form. You can take the agreement home to read.

What happens at the meeting and after?

At the meeting, the lawyer or representative will ask many questions, some very personal. This is normal. They are looking for every option and every risk. Then they should explain what you may qualify for, any red flags, whether they can take your case, and any fees.

Many first meetings end without a final answer. The lawyer may need your old file or court records first. That is a good sign of careful work, not a bad sign about your case.

If you hire them, they will give you a written agreement. When they file for you with USCIS, they also file Form G-28, which you sign too. After that, USCIS generally sends case mail to both of you. Ask for a copy of everything they file in your name.

You can change lawyers later if you need to.

What does a first meeting cost near East Palo Alto?

It depends on the office. Some examples we checked:

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) serves people with low income who live in San Mateo or Santa Clara County. Call 650-326-6440. If no one answers, leave your name and number, and staff will call back to schedule you at the next consultation clinic.
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), Redwood City offers a free first consultation, by appointment only. No drop ins. (650) 587-1558.
• Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County charges $50 for a consultation. It is not refunded, and it does not mean they will take your case. Call (408) 468-0100. Have your full name, phone number and email ready. They may later ask for last year's tax return, a recent pay stub, or a county Notice of Action if you get public benefits.

These offices serve people in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Private lawyers set their own fees. Ask the price before you book.

Questions people ask

I do not speak English well. Can I bring someone to interpret? Yes, you can ask. Ask which languages the office speaks when you book. If a friend interprets, see the privacy note above.

Should I bring my papers in a bag or a folder? A folder or large envelope with copies in date order is best. Write your name and phone number on the outside.

What if a notario already filed something for me? Bring copies of everything they filed and every receipt. Tell the lawyer right away. See What to do if a notario cheated you.

Can I meet by phone or video? Some do. SIREN in San Jose, for example, offers free phone consultations by appointment, (408) 453-3003. Have your papers in front of you and photos of them ready to send if asked.

Will the lawyer report me to immigration? A lawyer works for you. What you share to get legal advice is protected, as explained above. If you are worried, ask the lawyer to explain confidentiality at the start of the meeting.

Who can help?

These are free or low cost nonprofit legal programs and public offices. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA): 1861 Bay Road, East Palo Alto. 650-326-6440. clsepa.org/services
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City: 600 Allerton Street, Suite 101, Redwood City. (650) 587-1558 for consultations. iibayarea.org
• Outside the Bay Area: the California Department of Social Services list of state funded immigration legal services, and the U.S. Department of Justice list of free legal service providers near each immigration court.
• Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County: (408) 468-0100. ccscc.org
• More groups: Free or low cost immigration legal help in the Bay Area
• Check a lawyer: State Bar of California, 800-843-9053. calbar.ca.gov

Getting ready is a real step forward. You are doing the right thing for your family.

Is there a checklist I can print?