Immigration Paralegals: What They Can (and Can't) Do
BestParalegals is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Information here is general and may not apply to your situation or state. For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney.
Immigration paralegals help prepare USCIS forms and evidence packets. Most work under the supervision of an immigration attorney. Here's what that means for you.
What immigration paralegals do
- Gather documents such as birth and marriage certificates, translations and financial evidence
- Draft forms for the attorney to review
- Track deadlines, receipt notices and case status
- Prepare clients for biometrics and interviews under attorney direction
Who can give immigration legal advice
USCIS says only licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives of recognized organizations may give legal advice on immigration matters (USCIS: Find Legal Services). A paralegal working independently, a notario or an 'immigration consultant' can't tell you which form to file or whether you qualify. The roster of accredited representatives is on the Justice Department's EOIR site.
| Helper | Advice on your case? | Represent you before USCIS? |
|---|---|---|
| Immigration attorney | Yes | Yes |
| Accredited representative | Yes | Yes, within accreditation |
| Paralegal supervised by an attorney | Through the attorney | No, the attorney does |
| Independent preparer or notario | No | No |
Red flags
- Promises of guaranteed approval or 'inside' contacts
- Selling blank forms, which are free from USCIS
- Asking you to sign forms with false or blank answers
Learn more
For the general rules, read can a paralegal give legal advice? For green card topics, see GreenCardBlog's guide to finding a green card lawyer.
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