We often hear from clients after they’ve filed on their own or with the help of a paralegal or a notario. Unfortunately, that’s often when things go wrong — and they come to us for help.
If we had to pick the top three things we hear from new clients, they’d be:
- «Everyone told me it was easy to file, so I did.»
- «I saw it on TikTok.»
- «My notario said it was okay to skip that part.»
So we thought we’d give you an insider’s perspective on why working with a qualified immigration lawyer from the start can make a world of difference.
Why File with an Immigration Lawyer?
- Insurance
Lawyers can make mistakes — but if they do, you have recourse. You can file a complaint, and in many cases, get a second chance. That’s not the case with a paralegal, a notario, or doing it yourself.
- Save Money (in the long run)
Yes, hiring a lawyer costs money — but fixing a badly filed case usually costs a lot more than doing it right the first time.
- Reduce Stress
Immigration is one of the most stressful processes you can go through. When you work with a lawyer, you have someone by your side who knows the system and will guide you through every step.
- Better Success Rates
While no lawyer can guarantee a positive outcome, numbers don’t lie:
- Asylum seekers who file on their own (pro se) have about a 10–15% success rate in court.
- Those who file with a lawyer? 45–60% success rate.
The reason is simple: a lawyer helps you build the strongest case, gather key evidence, and prepare for interviews or hearings.
Another example? E-2 visas:
- Success rate without a lawyer: ~40%
- With a lawyer: up to 90%, according to AILA data and visa tracking reports — and that’s not even accounting for those who receive RFEs (Requests for Evidence).
Why Choose Us?
On top of everything we’ve already mentioned, we’ve been through the process ourselves. Our managing partner, Charlie Lefebvre, is originally from France. She fell in love with the U.S. and its values, went to school here, completed OPT, and obtained her own E-2 visa. She knows firsthand the stress and uncertainty of immigration.
At Lefebvre Michel, PLLC, we handle your case as if it were our own. Our team truly cares, we’re here to listen, support you, and help you reach your immigration goals.
Now that you understand why it’s beneficial to file with a lawyer, the next question is: How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
Every case is different, especially if there are complications (e.g., criminal history, detention, overstays, waivers). But here’s a general idea of our pricing:
| Application Type | Legal Fee |
| Marriage-Based Green Card (AOS + Work Permit) | $2,500 |
| Family-Based Green Card (AOS + Work Permit) | $2,500 |
| I-130 Petition Only | $500 |
| Affirmative Asylum Application | $4,500 |
| Defensive Asylum (in court) | $7,500 |
| Citizenship / N-400 | $500 |
| I-601A Waiver | $2,000 |
| Motion to Reopen (in absentia) | $1,500 |
| Motion to Terminate | $1,500 |
| I-751 (Joint Filing) | $1,000 |
| I-751 (Waiver Case) | $2,500 |
| I-751 RFE Response | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| E-2 Visa | $5,000 – $7,500 |
| O-1 Visa | $3,500 |
| EB-2 NIW | $4,000 |
| Consultation | $150 |
Don’t see your petition type listed? Feel free to contact us — we always provide clear, upfront pricing before any new client signs a contract. Want to learn more before booking a consultation? We host free Q&A sessions twice a week on our Instagram page. Just send us your questions, and we’ll answer as many as we can — for free!!