Questions
Questions people ask before they call
If yours isn’t here, call the office. Rufino can answer most of these on the phone.
Are government fees part of the price?
No. USCIS fees are paid to USCIS with the application, and they change from time to time. At the consultation you get the current amounts in writing, printed next to the office’s fee.
What does the first consultation cost?
A set fee, quoted when you book, for an hour with Amalia at the office or by video. If you hire the office within 30 days, it comes off your fee.
What if my case turns out to need more?
If the review turns up something the flat fee doesn’t cover, such as a waiver or an old removal order, the work stops while Amalia explains it and quotes that part on its own. Nothing extra is done until you say yes.
Can I pay in parts?
Yes. Most families pay a first part when they sign and the rest in monthly parts before the case is filed. The schedule is written into your engagement letter.
Is a notario the same as a lawyer?
No. In the United States a notary public can only witness signatures. A notary can’t give immigration advice or file for you. Amalia is a licensed attorney, and you can look her up on the State Bar of California’s website.
Do I have to come to Salinas?
No. Immigration law is federal, so the office can take cases for families in any state. Many consultations and most check-ins happen by video.
Who will I talk to?
Rufino answers the phone and keeps your file in order. Amalia handles the legal work herself, from the review to the interview.
Will anything I tell you be reported to immigration?
No. What you tell a lawyer is confidential, before and after you hire the office. We still ask you not to send confidential details through the website form.
What if my case is denied?
Amalia reads the decision with you, explains why, and tells you whether an appeal, a motion or a new filing makes sense. That work is quoted on its own.
Still wondering about your case?
An hour with Amalia answers the questions only your papers can.