Case Reviews & Consultations

Immigration Consultations and Limited-Scope Case Reviews: How They Work

Many people prepare their own immigration applications. An immigration consultation with Attorney Kasim Hussain is a chance to ask questions and hear an attorney's observations about the information and documents you choose to share. It is a focused service with a defined scope, and it is not a substitute for full representation.

KHImmigration Law is based in Riverdale, MD, near Washington, DC. Because immigration law is federal, consultations are available by phone or online to clients nationwide, and to clients abroad with U.S. visa and consular processing questions. Attorney Kasim Hussain is licensed in Maryland and admitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Federal court cases outside Maryland may involve local counsel.

Who may consider an immigration consultation?

A consultation may be useful if you:

• Are preparing your own application and have questions about it
• Are unsure which immigration options may be available to you
• Have something in your past you would like to discuss with an attorney
• Received a government notice and want help understanding what it says
• Want another attorney's perspective on your situation

If you do not have records of your own immigration history, we also offer FOIA records requests, which ask the government for the records it keeps about you.

How does an immigration consultation work?

1. Free 15-minute introductory call. A brief introduction so we can learn what you are looking for and explain the services we offer. This call is not legal advice.
2. Agree on the scope. If you choose a consultation or review, we confirm in writing what it covers, what it does not, and the fee. A 60-minute consultation is available for $300, in person at our Riverdale, MD office.
3. Attorney review. Attorney Kasim Hussain reviews the information and documents you provide, within the agreed scope.
4. Discussion. We share our observations and answer your questions. Decisions about whether, when and how to file remain yours.

What a limited-scope review is, and what it is not

A consultation or limited-scope review:

• Is based only on the information and documents you give us. We do not independently verify your history or search government records unless that is part of a separate, agreed service.
• Reflects the law and agency practices at the time of the review, which can change.
• Is not a determination that you are eligible for any benefit, and is not a prediction or guarantee that an application will be approved.
• Creates only a limited attorney-client relationship covering the agreed scope, and does not make us your attorney of record. Unless you hire us for full representation through a signed written engagement agreement, we do not file a Form G-28, do not prepare or file anything on your behalf, and do not communicate with the government for you.

You remain responsible for the accuracy and completeness of your application and for deciding whether to file it.

Why talk with an immigration attorney before filing?

Immigration forms ask questions that can carry serious consequences, and the answers often depend on details such as past travel, earlier applications, or arrests and charges, including ones that were dismissed. The government may also compare a new filing against your earlier records.

A conversation with an attorney can help you think through questions you may want to consider. However, no consultation can identify every issue, and the outcome of any application rests with the government. If you would like the firm to take on your case from start to finish, full representation is available under a separate written agreement. You can read more about specific case types on our family-based immigration and U.S. citizenship pages.

A word of caution about notarios

Please be careful with "notarios" and unlicensed "immigration consultants." In the United States, a notary public cannot give legal advice unless they are also a licensed attorney, and only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives of recognized organizations may represent you in immigration matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the free 15-minute introductory call legal advice?

No. The free call is a brief introduction so we can understand what you are looking for and explain how our services work.

Does a consultation make you my attorney?

The free 15-minute introductory call does not create an attorney-client relationship. A paid consultation or limited-scope review creates a limited attorney-client relationship that covers only the agreed scope. It does not make us your attorney of record, and we do not file anything or act on your behalf with the government unless you hire us for full representation through a signed written engagement agreement.

Will a review tell me whether my application will be approved?

No. No attorney can guarantee an outcome. A review shares an attorney's observations based on what you provide, and the decision on any application belongs to the government.

Will you check my full immigration history?

We review only what you share with us, unless you request a FOIA records request as a separate service. Even government records may be incomplete.

Do I need to live in Maryland?

No. Our office is in Riverdale, Maryland, but immigration law is federal, so consultations are available to clients across the United States, and to clients abroad with U.S. visa and consular processing questions.

What is a FOIA records request?

It is a request to government agencies for the records they keep about your immigration history. Response times vary, and the records returned may not be complete.

Schedule an immigration consultation

If you have questions about your immigration situation, you can book a free 15-minute phone or online introductory call with an immigration lawyer in Riverdale, MD, near Washington, DC, to learn about our consultation services. You can also contact us or call or text 301-830-4000.

This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Every case is different, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Reading this page, contacting us, or booking a free call does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please do not send confidential information until we have spoken. We represent clients only after a signed engagement agreement.