Are you planning on becoming a United States citizen? If so, it's important that you follow the proper steps and procedures. As you probably know, immigration has been a hot topic in recent years. With millions of illegal immigrants, legislatures and politicians are working hard to find a solution.

While you are not required to have an immigration attorney, it doesn't mean that you should apply for a green card or go through the naturalization process alone. Criminal defendants are not required to hire public offenders or private criminal defense lawyers either, but they seldom represent themselves in criminal court.

Even if you have a straightforward case and there's no reason why you wouldn't qualify for the benefits that you're seeking, there are still many advantages to hiring an immigration attorney.

Immigration Attorneys Eliminate the Guesswork

A lawyer can ensure that you have all of the necessary documentation gathered, that you fill out applications properly, and that you are prepared for your interviews. Having a knowledgeable immigration lawyer guiding you through the citizenship and naturalization process not only takes the guesswork out of the process, but it alleviates any uncertainty and frustration that you experience.

You definitely NEED an immigration lawyer in these situations:

• You have a criminal record
• You were in the U.S. illegally
• You were caught crossing the border illegally
• You have been in deportation (removal) proceedings in the past
• You are currently in immigration court proceedings
• You are inadmissible to the U.S.
• You find the paperwork overwhelming or confusing
• You previously filled out the immigration paperwork incorrectly

Caution: Do not listen to the advice given to you by USCIS information officers. Just think, would you rely on the receptionist at the dentist's office to tell you that you need a root canal, or would you let the operator at a criminal defense attorney's afterhours call in center tell you to plead guilty in court?

Relying on the advice of USCIS information officers is risky. The USCIS will not give you a break if you followed bad advice from their officers. Instead, contact an immigration attorney for guidance!