US Immigration – Advice from Social Media vs. Expert Sources

Many sources on the internet and social media provide “immigration advice.” Some of these sources, such as a friend, Facebook Group, Reddit, or a Google search, may seem reliable. No matter the internet source, you need to use caution. US immigration is case and fact-specific. Not one case is alike. We discuss the dangers of using Internet advice for your US immigration matter here.

Immigration Advice – My friend, a Facebook group, Reddit, or Google Said!

There is a lot of immigration advice on the internet. Both good and BAD. Although some internet searching might help you identify the type of help you need, it rarely provides the specific advice necessary for a successful outcome.  You take a considerable risk when relying solely on an article you read, a thread, a group, a friend, or any other such source. Any such advice should be taken with caution.

Use the “5 Vs of Verification” when seeking Immigration Advice

Before proceeding with any immigration advice you read or provide, you should perform your due diligence. We recommend the “5 Vs of Verification” when seeking immigration advice:

1. Verify Credentials –
   • Who is providing the advice?
   • Are they experts or specialized in the field of US immigration law?
   • Does the source currently work in the field of US immigration law?
   • A quick search LinkedIn or Google search to see if the source of the advice can speak about the subject with authority and accuracy.
   • Read the “About Us” section. Reputable sources will have information about their credentials and contact information.
2. Verify the Dates of the Information – Verify how fresh or stale the information provided is. Is it recent, months ago, or years ago? US Immigration is constantly changing. Relying on old sources or past experiences can be dangerous and based on outdated information.  Use the most up-to-date information you can find and make sure it hasn’t expired. 
3. Verify the Source of the Information – Where did the source get the information? Reputable immigration sources will provide sources for advice.  Check or ask for the information’s source so you can independently verify the information if you can’t find the source of the information. Keep searching and reading. Find as much as you can on the topic to verify the accuracy of the information. 
4. Verify the URLs – US immigration laws and regulations are free and available to the public. Reputable sources will provide links and URLs that back up the information provided. Check the URL and verify if it is from a legitimate source, such as USCIS.gov, travel.state.gov, DOL.gov, CBP.gov, DHS.gov, etc. 
5. Verify with a US Immigration Lawyer -The best source of information is a licensed US immigration lawyer. Not all immigration lawyers have experience with all areas of immigration law. Some only deal with immigration court matters, some only practice family immigration, some only practice business immigration, and some practice all three areas. More specifically, some lawyers are very good with H1B visas but have no experience with TN Visas. Check their client reviews and years of experience. Generally, it takes ten years of dedicated experience to be an expert in a specific field. Then, seek advice from an immigration lawyer with particular expertise.

Consultation

Suppose you are looking for assistance with a US immigration matter. We can help. The lawyers at Richards and Jurusik have decades of experience in US immigration and have hundreds of positive client reviews to back it up. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer.

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