Frequently Asked Questions

The consultation is the most important phase of the immigration case.  If done correctly, a lot of thought, skill and knowledge goes into our initial consultation as we explore and assess the nuances of your situation to determine the legal viability for a case.  It’s not uncommon for the consultation process to take two to three hours.  We settle in to talk.  We have snacks.    

This consultation creates a foundation for all subsequent work we do on your behalf.  As such, should you opt to retain Ryan Immigration law’s services, your initial consultation fee will be applied against your overall fees.  It is among the most critical elements of any case because that is where the important facts will be distilled, the client’s goals will be assessed, and the best strategy to get there will be determined.

Note that prior to the initial consultation (and payment of the fee), our intake staff will contact you to assess the viable options your case has under current immigration law.  We will ask extremely detailed questions to understand the nuances your case presents, and to see if we will both feel empowered working together in accomplishing your goals

Attorney Maria Ryan is licensed to practice in the state of Wisconsin.  However due to the federal nature of immigration law, she regularly represents clients from across the United States.

Attorney Ryan has spent thousands of hours and YEARS perfecting her Spanish.  She loves the language a culture and speaks Spanish fluently thanks to her beloved family and friends.  That said, she can represent clients who speak languages other than English or Spanish, as well.  However, we may need to have an interpreter available if the client does not speak fluent English (or Spanish), who should be available to us throughout the case.  This interpreter should be a neutral party with no affiliation to the case.   If Attorney Ryan does not feel the interpreter is neutral, she will hire an outside interpreter for an additional fee.  The most sacred part of the relationship between client and attorney is loyalty within the bounds of the law, which is gained through clear open and honest communication.  Ryan Immigration has vast experience representing clients from a wide variety of countries, and does so with dedication, respect and joy.

Attorney Maria Ryan focuses on family-based and humanitarian application applications.  The vast majority of our cases include adjustments of status, consular processing, waivers of inadmissibility, U visa and T visa applications, and VAWAS.  Attorney Ryan has a special place in her heart for domestic violence and sexual assault-based U visa applications and VAWA applications because she understands the unique loneliness and powerlessness of being abused in one’s own home.  Attorney Ryan does handle some removal defense cases as they pertain to a broader affirmative application or a motion to reopen a removal order if other relief is available.  

Ryan Immigration has extensive experience in these challenging practice areas with an impressive record of successful representation:

• VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)  <Adria – these can all be hyperlinked>
• Deportation Defense (not sure if we should call this Removal Defense)
• Deferred Action
• Waivers of Inadmissibility
• Consular Processing
• Adjustment of Status
• DACA
• U Visa
• Naturalization
• Humanitarian Applications

Please note that Attorney Ryan no longer handles asylum cases.

Attorney Maria Ryan and her staff pride themselves on providing each client with personal

Attention and compassionate and nimble strategy formulation.  We are ready to meet each client right where they are to get them the results they want, so long as they are equally invested in a positive outcome for their case.  As the attorney, we cannot want to win more than the client.  The client must be willing to invest the time and follow the steps necessary to win.  Remember, the attorney does not create the law, the attorney leverages it to win.  We are here for our clients to answer questions and to communicate next steps clearly as we navigate the complexities of the US immigration system together.  We take our mission of establishing a trusting, respectful and honest relationship with our clients extremely seriously.  We will fight for our clients to be treated with the dignity they deserve throughout the process.

We all have the right to feel comfortable and respected during high-stress situations, especially by our advocate.  As such, if you are feeling uncomfortable with your current representation, you can contact us to determine if it makes sense to switch attorneys.  Or, if there is simply a frustration with communication or the immigration process in general that can potentially be overcome.  Attorney Ryan will take over a case only where she can make an actual difference in the case, and when it is in the client’s best interest, financially and legally.  If it does make good mutual sense to switch attorneys, we will help facilitate the transition.  Philosophically, Attorney Ryan does not believe in switching attorneys if it will result in wasted time and money for the client, or for her.  She will make this decision on a case-by-case basis, based on her extensive experience in navigating challenging immigration law cases.