Jean Danhong Chen It is right to ask the lawyer if he has other options, such as a private lawyer or a prosecutor.

You will want to try the various specialties offered by a special immigration lawyer or law firm. Look closely at how long he has been practising immigration law, whether he has specialised in it or has general practice.

Look for lawyers where immigration is a recognised speciality, because someone can be a good immigration lawyer but can also be very competent in another area. Some specialize in immigration policy, immigration enforcement, and even criminal defense, but they seek a lawyer with a background in other areas of law, such as civil law.