Picture this: you get into a car accident. You report it. The report backs up your claim. Through a personal injury claim, you can gain money to repair the injuries you suffered during the accident. While this process seems relatively straightforward, immigrants often face hesitation when reporting incidents. Pursuing a claim can feel like drawing unnecessary attention to yourself as an immigrant, even as a documented immigrant. However, as a personal injury lawyer can share, injury claims often run independently of immigration claims. Common Fears For Immigrants An immigrant may be hesitant to report an injury accident for fear of deportation or detention. Again, this can be a common fear regardless of status. Additionally, immigrants may be concerned that being involved in something like a car accident will trigger court proceedings about their immigrant status. Finally, cultural and language barriers can cause further confusion around the laws in this area. However, our friends at Cohen & Cohen are here to clear this up. Legal Protection For Immigrants Laws vary from place to place. In general, immigration status does not prevent someone from filing a personal injury claim. However, it cannot be stressed enough that this varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. It is best to contact a lawyer in your area for more information to see if this holds for where you live. Most courts have actually upheld principles stating that even undocumented immigrants can sue for damages in personal injury cases. In fact, many courts have imposed strict rules that prevent a person’s immigration status from being part of an injury case to protect immigrants. It is also important to note that civil courts and immigration enforcement are separate systems. Personal injury cases fall under civil courts. Additionally, many personal injury cases are settled privately with the help of an attorney to negotiate on your behalf with insurance companies. These types of cases (as in settlement cases) never even make it to court. While other cases that are not settled prior to legal proceedings do go to court, immigration status is rarely a cornerstone of the case. Additionally, if you are an undocumented immigrant and are a victim of criminal conduct within your case, such as being hit intentionally by a vehicle, various visas and even acts protect your rights. However, these are dependent upon the type and severity of your case. Consequences Of Not Reporting If you do not report an injury accident, you may find yourself suffering complications from untreated injuries. Sometimes, a person walks away with minimal scratches and decides not to report their injury or seek medical attention. When this is done, it is very easy for severe medical conditions to not manifest themselves until much later, when they are harder to manage. As those medical bills begin to mount, it is easy to find yourself drowning in a sea of debt. A personal injury case can help overcome that by covering medical expenses, lost wages, and even pain and suffering you have experienced. Finally, if you delay reporting your case and decide to do so later, you will find it harder to prove. In fact, insurance companies will try to claim that the pains you experience later happened after the accident since you waited to report them. If you are injured in an accident, contact an attorney. Discuss with them the specifics of your case, and see if immigration status will play a role. A knowledgeable attorney near you will be able to help.

For many immigrants, receiving a Notice to Appear (NTA) in immigration court can be one of the most stressful moments of their lives. The NTA is the document that starts the deportation process. It assigns you a court and a hearing date, and from that moment forward, the government is formally seeking to remove you from the United States. Unfortunately, many people facing deportation make critical mistakes that can jeopardize their future. Understanding the process and knowing what to avoid can mean the difference between being ordered deported and building a successful path toward permanent residence. Below are the top three mistakes people in immigration court often make: 1. Waiting Until the Last Minute to Get Legal Help One of the biggest misconceptions people have is that they can “wait and see” until their hearing date before finding an attorney. Immigration court cases often take one or two years before a first hearing is scheduled. That timeline gives a false sense of security — but in reality, you need to prepare from the moment you receive your NTA. At your first hearing, you will be asked to respond to the government’s charges against you. This is a critical moment, because your attorney can challenge whether you are truly deportable and can begin exploring what immigration relief may be available to you. Relief options, such as applying for a green card through marriage to a U.S. citizen, can take years to process. If you wait too long to start, you may not have the necessary applications, evidence, or approvals in time. A judge may deny your case and order your removal simply because you were unprepared. 2. Taking Advice from TikTok, YouTube, or Friends Immigration law is one of the fastest-changing areas of law in the United States. Policies shift with every administration, regulations are updated, and court decisions change how laws are applied. While social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube are full of videos claiming to provide “immigration hacks,” relying on them can be extremely dangerous. Similarly, well-meaning friends or family members who went through their own process may give advice that doesn’t apply to your specific case. Immigration law is not one-size-fits-all. Following the wrong advice can result in missed deadlines, ineligibility for relief, or even being detained and deported. 3. Trying to Navigate the Process Alone Some people believe they can save money by representing themselves in immigration court. Unfortunately, the process is far too complicated and risky to go without professional guidance. Cases often take years to resolve, and mistakes are not always obvious until it’s too late. A missing document, an incorrect form, or a misunderstanding of eligibility rules could undermine your case after years of waiting. Unlike other areas of law, immigration is unforgiving of errors. By the time you realize something went wrong, it is often too late to fix it. Having an experienced attorney by your side dramatically increases your chances of success, ensures your rights are protected, and helps you make informed decisions at every step. The Bottom Line If you are facing immigration court, remember: time is your greatest asset. Do not delay in finding legal representation, do not rely on unqualified advice, and do not attempt the process alone. Your future in the United States depends on building a strong, strategic defense from day one. At  Bilbao Law, LLC  , we stand with immigrants in some of the most difficult moments of their lives. With preparation, the right strategy, and committed legal advocacy, you can turn fear into freedom.

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