IMMIGRATION STRATEGY & DIY RESOURCES
Understanding the system before it controls you.
Immigration law is one of the most complex and unforgiving areas of law. Small mistakes—missed deadlines, incorrect assumptions, incomplete filings—can have permanent consequences.
That said, not every immigration-related task requires full legal representation. Some steps can be handled responsibly on a do-it-yourself basis if you understand the limits and risks.
This page explains how I think about immigration strategy, when DIY may be appropriate, and provides links to official public resources so you can educate yourself or handle basic matters carefully.
A NOTE ON IMMIGRATION STRATEGY
Immigration is not just paperwork. It is a system that combines:
Federal statutes and regulations
Agency discretion
Incomplete or missing records
Human judgment by officers and judges
Many people get into trouble not because they did nothing—but because they did something incomplete, something inconsistent, or something based on bad advice.
My role is to help clients understand:
Where risk actually lies
What information matters (and what doesn’t)
When delay is safer than action
When action is urgent
That philosophy applies whether a client hires me for full representation, limited-scope work, or simply wants to understand their situation before moving forward.
DIY: WHEN IT MAY BE APPROPRIATE
DIY immigration steps may be appropriate when:
The immigration history is clean and well-documented
There are no prior removals, detentions, or court cases
No criminal history exists (even minor or old cases)
The application is routine and well within published eligibility rules
DIY becomes high risk when:
There has been prior detention, removal, or voluntary departure
Records are missing or inconsistent
There is any criminal history (including dismissed or expunged cases)
ICE supervision, check-ins, or enforcement are involved
Timing matters (naturalization, travel, status expiration)
The resources below are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
CORE IMMIGRATION AGENCIES & PUBLIC RESOURCES
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services administers most immigration benefits, including petitions, applications, and naturalization.
USCIS Website
https://www.uscis.gov
Common DIY interactions include:
Checking eligibility requirements
Downloading official forms and instructions
Checking case status
Reviewing processing times
Immigration Court & Removal Proceedings (EOIR)
Executive Office for Immigration Review oversees immigration courts and removal proceedings.
EOIR Website
https://www.justice.gov/eoir
Used for:
Immigration court case information
Hearing calendars
Court contact details
If you believe you may have an old or unresolved immigration court case, do not assume records are complete or accurate.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Department of Homeland Security oversees USCIS, ICE, and CBP.
DHS records are often fragmented across agencies, which is why FOIA requests are frequently necessary.
COMMON DIY IMMIGRATION TASKS (LOWER RISK)
In limited circumstances, individuals may responsibly handle:
Checking eligibility for naturalization
Completing basic forms using official USCIS instructions
Tracking case status online
Submitting address changes
Even in these situations, mistakes can delay or derail applications.
FOIA REQUESTS (FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT)
FOIA requests are often the first strategic step in immigration matters involving uncertainty.
FOIA may be used to request records from:
USCIS
EOIR (Immigration Court)
ICE
FOIA is commonly necessary when:
A person does not know whether a removal order exists
Prior filings are missing
Enforcement history is unclear
FOIA responses are often incomplete or delayed and must be interpreted carefully.
ICE, ENFORCEMENT & SUPERVISION
DIY is not recommended when:
ICE check-ins are required
An Order of Supervision exists
A prior removal order may exist
A stay of removal may be necessary
These situations involve discretion, risk assessment, and timing. Acting without a clear strategy can increase—not reduce—risk.
HOW THIS CONNECTS TO MY PRACTICE
I provide these resources because informed clients are safer clients.
Some people use this information to:
Better understand their history
Ask more precise questions
Avoid panic-driven decisions
Others realize that:
The risk is higher than they thought
Records are incomplete or contradictory
A strategic pause is needed before filing anything
That’s where my work comes in.
I offer:
Flat-fee immigration services
Clearly scoped representation
Limited-scope and strategy-focused assistance
Stabilization planning in high-risk situations
WHEN TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
You should strongly consider legal guidance if:
You are unsure whether a removal order exists
You have ever been detained or placed in proceedings
You are under ICE supervision
You are considering naturalization with any prior issues
Your family’s status depends on timing or discretion
Immigration problems are often fixable—but only if approached carefully.
NEXT STEPS
If you want help applying this information to your specific situation, the next step is to complete a short intake form and briefly describe what you’re dealing with. I review every submission personally and will follow up with appropriate next steps.