Yes. With Form G-28 on file, your attorney has the right to appear with you at USCIS interviews, including green card, naturalization, and other in-person appointments. At Ahluwalia Law Offices, Managing Attorney Pallavi Ahluwalia personally accompanies clients to their U.S. immigration appointments across the country whenever they feel they need extra assistance.
Why Would You Want Your Attorney at Your Interview?
An immigration interview is often the single most stressful moment of a case. Months or years of preparation come down to an hour in front of an officer. Having your attorney beside you means someone who knows your entire file is present to clarify questions, object to misunderstandings before they enter the record, present documents the officer requests on the spot, and take notes that matter if any follow-up is needed. Most of all, it changes how the room feels. Clients walk in prepared instead of anxious.
Which Appointments Can an Attorney Attend?
Attorneys can appear at most USCIS in-person appointments, including adjustment of status (green card) interviews, naturalization interviews, marriage-based interviews and Stokes-style second interviews, asylum interviews, and InfoPass-style field office appointments. Consular visa interviews at U.S. embassies abroad generally do not allow attorney attendance, which is one more reason thorough preparation matters for those cases.
What Does Ahluwalia Law’s Accompaniment Service Look Like?
Every representation includes interview preparation. When clients want more, Pallavi travels with them to the appointment itself, whether it is at a USCIS field office in Texas or elsewhere in the country. Recently she accompanied clients to their appointment out of state because they wanted the reassurance of having their attorney in the room. That is not a standard offering at most firms, and it reflects how this firm practices: no client walks into a government office alone if they do not want to.
How Do You Prepare for a USCIS Interview?
Preparation typically includes a full review of everything filed, a mock interview covering the questions officers actually ask, organizing originals and certified copies in the order the officer will want them, and a plan for handling unexpected questions. On the day, your attorney checks in with you, sits beside you during questioning, and ensures the record accurately reflects what was said.
Meet the Attorney Who Will Accompany You
Pallavi Ahluwalia, Managing Attorney | Texas Bar Fellow, Award Winning Attorney
Pallavi Ahluwalia, Esq., is the Managing Attorney of Ahluwalia Law Offices, a boutique firm trusted by immigrant communities across Dallas and the East Coast. She represents both companies and individuals, from publicly traded corporations to entrepreneurs and investors, and is particularly known for her handling of H-1B cases, managing several hundred each quarter, along with L-1, EB-1, E-2, and EB-5 matters for physicians, engineers, and business owners.
A frequent voice in immigration debates, Pallavi appears on NBC and CBS TV stations, hosts live Q&A sessions on Dallas radio including Radio Caravan and FunAsia, and has spoken on sustainable migration at the Horasis Global Meeting in Portugal.
Her recognition includes Best Immigration Lawyers in Dallas by Expertise (2016 to 2018), the Melvin Jones Award for Humanitarian Services, Top 50 Women Lawyers by the National Diversity Council, Texas Chapter, and Fellowship in the Texas Bar Foundation. She holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Philosophy in English Literature from India.
FAQs About Attorney Accompaniment
Does having a lawyer at my interview look suspicious?
No. Attorney appearances at USCIS interviews are routine and officers are accustomed to them. It signals preparation, not a problem.
Can my attorney answer questions for me?
No. You must answer the officer’s questions yourself, but your attorney can clarify legal issues, correct the record, and intervene if a question is improper.
Does this cost extra?
Accompaniment, especially with travel, is scoped case by case. Ask us during your consultation and we will give you a clear answer up front.
Can ALO accompany me outside Texas?
Yes. Immigration law is federal, so we represent and accompany clients at USCIS offices nationwide.
DISCLAIMER: This blog is intended solely for general informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute legal advice, nor does it create an attorney-client relationship between the reader & Ahluwalia Law Offices, P.C. The legal information provided herein may not apply to your individual circumstances & is subject to change based on evolving immigration laws and policies. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult directly with a qualified immigration attorney for guidance tailored to their specific situation. Our front desk staff is not authorized to interpret legal information or provide legal advice beyond what is explicitly stated in this blog. They are also not permitted to assess eligibility, review case details, or respond to case-specific inquiries.
Please note: Due to the high volume of inquiries and the sensitive nature of immigration matters, we cannot respond to questions or requests for legal analysis via phone or email unless a formal consultation has been scheduled. We appreciate your understanding and encourage you to book an appointment with one of our attorneys if you require personalized legal assistance.
