Whether an immigrant is in this country legally or without proper documentation, they may still need the assistance of a professional immigration attorney, like those at the office of Tesoroni & LeRoy, at some point. Here are four common reasons immigration lawyers are consulted.

You Have Received a Notice to Appear

If U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or U.S. Customs and Border Protection sends you a notice to appear (NTA), you should view this as a commencement to deportation proceedings. A notice to appear requires you to present yourself to the immigration judge at the appointed date and time. If you do not appear, you will be giving up your right to attempt to stay. Any petition you file to stay after deliberately not showing up to your notice to appear appointment will be denied and you will be deported. If you receive one of these forms, it is imperative you hire an immigration attorney immediately. You must have legal counsel for the proceedings or you risk being ordered to leave.

You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

Immigrants need to be extremely careful to follow the law. Many crimes could be a cause for deportation. Felonies, drug charges, firearm violations, domestic or child abuse, and misdemeanors are all possibly deportable offenses. Even writing a bad check, often not even considered a crime, is reason enough to deport someone as it falls under "moral turpitude." No matter how minor the charge you are accused of may be, if you value your life in the United States, you need an immigration attorney who also specializes in criminal law to help you.

You Want to Open a Business on American Soil

Foreigners can apply for a special green card that allows them and their family to be in the United States if they are coming here to build a business. The business must also incorporate a plan to have a minimum of 10 Americans employed full-time. This is called the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. An immigration attorney who also specializes in business should be hired to expedite this process for immigrant entrepreneurs.

You Have Been Denied Citizenship or a Green Card

Sometimes, simple mistakes or omissions are made on applications, causing them to be rejected or denied. This is not uncommon if English is not one's first language. Hiring an immigration attorney to help file or re-file these forms can help get your application approved.