Picking the wrong immigration lawyer can cost you months, thousands of dollars, and even your case. So before you sign a retainer, you need the right questions to ask an immigration lawyer. Houston has dozens of firms competing for your business, and not all of them handle your case type well. Some attorneys hand your file to a paralegal on day one. Others charge vague fees that balloon later. U.S.…
EB1 vs NIW: Which Employment Based Green Card You Can Self Petition Faster Today
August 11, 2026
August 11, 2026
Hector Herrera
By: Hector Herrera
Immigration Legal Services
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You want a green card, but no employer will sponsor you — so the comparison usually starts with eb1 vs niw. Both the EB-1A petition and the National Interest Waiver let you file for yourself and skip the employer completely, yet they judge you by very different rules. EB-1A looks at how far you have risen in your field, while the NIW looks at why your work matters to the…
Family Immigration Sponsorship Cost 2026: Complete Fee Breakdown for Spouse, Parent, and Child Petitions
August 3, 2026
August 3, 2026
Hector Herrera
By: Hector Herrera
Immigration Legal Services
No Comments
Sponsoring a family member for a green card almost always costs more than U.S. citizens expect. Most people budget for a single filing fee, then discover that family immigration sponsorship cost is really a string of separate charges spread across the process. For a spouse petition, the total can reach $3,000 or more before attorney fees, and for parents and children the numbers shift depending on age, location, and visa…
Can You Bring an Attorney to Your Citizenship Interview? Your 2026 Guide to Having a Citizenship Interview Lawyer by Your Side
April 6, 2026
April 6, 2026
Hector Herrera
By: Hector Herrera
Immigration Legal Services
No Comments
Yes, you can bring a citizenship interview lawyer to your USCIS naturalization interview. Many applicants do not know this. That lack of knowledge costs them. They walk in alone, get nervous, and make mistakes that delay or deny their case. At Herrera Law Firm’s citizenship services, attorney Hector Herrera has guided thousands of applicants through this exact process since 2007. A citizenship interview lawyer does not answer questions for you.…
Your citizenship interview preparation starts the moment USCIS mails your appointment notice. Most people wait too long. Then they panic. The interview feels like a test you cannot study for — but it is not. Citizenship interview preparation is a clear, step-by-step process. You know exactly what USCIS will ask. You know exactly what documents to bring. And you know exactly what mistakes to avoid. At Herrera Law Firm, we…
What Happens If You Fail the Citizenship Test? Your 2026 Guide to Retaking and Passing
April 5, 2026
April 5, 2026
Hector Herrera
By: Hector Herrera
Immigration Legal Services
No Comments
Many people fail the citizenship test on their first try. You are not alone. Each year, thousands of applicants face this moment and wonder what comes next. The good news is that failing does not end your path to becoming a U.S. citizen. When you fail the citizenship test, USCIS gives you a second chance. You get one more opportunity to pass the civics or English portion. At Herrera Law…
The U.S. citizenship test stops many applicants cold. You study hard. Then nerves take over. Or you study the wrong things. Either way, you fail. That outcome delays your citizenship by months. The U.S. citizenship test has two parts: civics and English. The civics portion covers American history, government, and rights. USCIS draws from a list of 100 official questions. At your interview, an officer asks up to 10 of…
So, you want to know about dual citizenship USA rules. You’re in the right place. Many people wonder if dual citizenship is legal. They also want to know how it works. Plus, they need to understand the new laws coming in 2025. The United States does allow dual citizenship. This means you can be a U.S. citizen. At the same time, you can hold citizenship in another country. But there’s…
Introduction Are you ready to become a U.S. citizen? You want to know how long it takes. The U.S. citizenship processing time can feel confusing. So, many people ask us this question every day. The good news is simple. Processing times have gotten much better. Plus, the USCIS naturalization process now moves faster than before. In fact, the current U.S. citizenship processing time is the fastest since 2016. So, how…
Becoming a U.S. citizen is a dream for millions. But who can actually apply? The path to U.S. citizenship eligibility has clear rules. So, this guide explains every requirement in simple terms. You’ll learn if you qualify for citizenship and what steps to take next. U.S. citizenship eligibility depends on several key factors. First, you need lawful permanent resident status. Then, you must meet residence rules and pass tests. Also,…