QUESTION
How much does it cost to name an agent after the I-130 is approved?
Asked on Aug 15th, 2015 on Immigration - New York
More details to this question:
I am currently applying for my wife and son who are in Mexico, for an i130 my cases have been approved the lawyer who is helping me is telling me that the next step is to name an agent for USCIS to contact. He says this will cost me another $2000 USD (1000 for each). I want to know if I can name myself as an agent or get someone else to help me for less money? Will it affect my cases if I switch to another lawyer?
2 ANSWERS
More information is needed. Will the attorney completed the State Department reports, scan/mail the documentation and pay the additional State Department filing fees for that consular processing fee? Simply filling out the form to serve as agent and actually preparing all of the additional forms and materials for State Department processing (DS-230 (2 times) I-864 (two times), which are separate from the USCIS petition that your attorney already prepared is additional work. Make sure that the attorney is including all of the consular processing work that must be done at the National Visa Center for that fee. If not, then this may be an issue. Otherwise, then this seems appropriate and even very reasonable. Yet, if your attorney never told you that you were going to pay additional for processing with the State Department, then that decision not to discuss that consular processing is separate can prove disappointing and for some frustrating.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2015 at 4:10 PM
Civil Litigation Attorney serving New York, NY
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I have no way to know if there are any special circumstances in your case that make appointing an agent (other than yourself or your attorney) necessary, but this is the first time I hear about such a need. If you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (i.e., a green card holder) and have a mailing address, there is no reason for you to ask a third party to act as your agent in communications with USCIS. If your attorney is licensed to practice law, there is no reason he/she cannot act as your agent in all communications with USCIS, Department of State, and any other government agency that might be involved in the immigration of your wife and child.
Answered on Aug 17th, 2015 at 3:47 PM