Sample #1 - Client Retainer Agreement
Immigration Services Agreement
A. TERMS OF REPRESENTATION
This agreement for legal representation and service is between the Legal Department of Catholic
Charities (CC) and
, referred to hereinafter as the client(s).
I, the undersigned client, hereby authorize CC to represent me in only the following immigration matter
before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), or the Executive Office for Immigration
Review ("Immigration Court"), in connection with the following services:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
B. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS AS A CLIENT
:
1. To be kept informed by CC about any important developments in my case.
2. To be consulted by CC legal staff before any significant decision is made or action taken on
my behalf.
3. To expect that CC legal staff will pursue my case with all reasonable diligence, and will
maintain the confidentiality of all information that I share with my legal representative. No
documents in my file will be released to anyone other than myself without my consent.
4. To be informed in writing if the CC withdraws as my legal representative for any reason, and
to be provided with any original documents belonging to me or issued by USCIS or the
Immigration Court regarding my case.
C. I UNDERSTAND I HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES AS A CLIENT
:
1 To attend all scheduled appointments with my legal representative, or to call to reschedule an
appointment if I cannot attend.
2 To be truthful in all my communications with my legal representative.
3 To inform my legal representative of all changes
of address, telephone number and any
circumstances within 7 days
of any change.
4 To cooperate in assisting my legal representative in obtaining requested documents or
information needed for my case.
5 To respond to letters from my legal representative asking me to call her or him.
6 To attend all USCIS interviews, court hearings or other appointments scheduled in my case
with the USCIS or the Immigration Court, or at any other location.
7 To make all payments to the CC as agreed upon in the payment plan written at Part E,
below. Any changes to the payment plan will not be in effect unless agreed to by both CC
and myself in writing.
8 If this agreement is terminated by either myself or CC I agree that any money I have paid to
CC will NOT BE REFUNDED TO ME, and that I will remain responsible for paying all money
which may still be owed by me for the work CC did on my behalf. I agree to pay any bank
charged penalty on returned checks.
D. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THE FOLLOWING
:
1. The CC cannot guarantee
that I will be granted the benefit that I am seeking From USCIS or
the Immigration Court, even after the CC successfully files all necessary applications and
documents.
2. If I am in the United States without legal immigration status, I am always subject to
deportation or removal by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). If I am not
already in deportation or removal proceedings at the time that the CC agrees to represent
me, the CC may not be able to protect me from deportation or removal, and will make an
independent decision whether to represent me in my deportation or removal proceedings.
3. That the CC may withdraw as my legal representative and close my case at any time, if I fail
to provide truthful information or documentation to my legal representative, or fail to comply
with my responsibilities in Part C, above, or fail to comply with the agreed upon payment plan
in Part E, below, or if my income improves to the point that I am able to afford a private
attorney.
4. That if my case involves several steps, the CC is not obligated to represent me in all steps of
the process beyond those agreed to at Part A, above. The CC may withdraw from
representing me in any additional stages, or the CC and I may make a new agreement,
effective only after put in writing, for continued representation for any additional or new steps
not described in Part A, above.
E. LEGAL FEE & PAYMENT PLAN
I understand that the fee for these services the CC will provide, as described in Part A, above, will be $
payable with a Money Order. I understand that this fee does not include any of the following:
• USCIS or Immigration Court filing fees
• Fingerprints, and photos which may be required with my application, if any;
• Any extraordinary charges incurred by CC in its efforts to pursue my case, such as costs of
experts, long distance telephone calls, messenger or express delivery services; color or
extraordinary photocopy costs, if any, or any additional charges written below
• Costs of preparing any additional USCIS applications which are not mentioned in Part A,
such as work authorization renewal applications, etc.
• Appeals of any decisions by USCIS or the Immigration Court made in my case.
I agree to the following payment plan:
Trans. #
Date Amount Ck./Mo./Cash Balance Accepted By
Client’s Signature:
Date:
Print Name:
For Catholic Charities (Signature)
Date:
Print Name:
Approved by:
Date:
Sample # 2 - Client Retainer Agreement
Immigration Services Agreement
I, _____________________, understand that Immigration Legal Services (also known as the Program)
will represent me in the following matter:
I understand that I am being represented in the matter listed above only and that, should any appeal be
necessary, I am not guaranteed representation. The fee for this service is $_______.
In the event that additional services, other than those specifically described above, are needed in my case,
I understand that additional fees may be charged. In the event that the immigration law or regulations
change, requiring more time and effort to represent me, I understand that the fee for services may
increase. I further understand that if changes occur in my life circumstances or if I take any actions that
require Catholic Charities more time and effort to represent me that the fee for service may also increase.
I HAVE THE FOLLOWING RIGHTS AS A CLIENT
:
1. To be informed about any important developments in my case.
2. To be consulted before any significant decision is made on my behalf. The caseworker will abide
by my decisions with respect to the objectives of the representation, subject to ethical and legal
obligations.
3. Catholic Charities will keep information regarding my case confidential. However, it is possible
that my case may be reviewed by others for grant or accreditation purposes but those
individuals/entities will also be required to respect my confidentiality.
4. I have the right to know the qualifications of the staff assisting me.
5. I have the right to withdraw my case from Catholic Charities at any time.
AS A CLIENT, I HAVE THE FOLLOWING RESPONSIBILITIES
:
1. To voluntarily give all information regarding my immigration history, and respond truthfully to
all questions asked by my caseworker, furnish all documents requested, and otherwise reasonably
cooperate with my caseworker.
2. To keep the caseworker handling my case informed of all developments, including, but not
limited to, all changes of name, address, telephone number, immigration status, and other
pertinent information. I will inform my caseworker of changes in address and telephone number
in writing within five (5) business days of the change.
3. To keep all appointments with my caseworker or to call the caseworker at least 24 hours in
advance to cancel an appointment.
4. To appear at any CIS interview or court hearing or proceeding regardless of whether Immigration
Legal Services will represent me in that matter.
5. To make all payments to Immigration Legal Services in a timely fashion as agreed on in the
payment agreement.
6. I will see my caseworker at least one time each year while my case is open with Immigration
Legal Services for an annual update. There will be an annual charge of $50 covering this visit
and annual case maintenance.
ADDITIONAL UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN CLIENT AND IMMIGRATION LEGAL
SERVICES:
1. Immigration Legal Services will pursue my case with all reasonable diligence, but cannot
guarantee results. Thus, Immigration Legal Services cannot
guarantee that I will be granted the
benefit sought or obtain the desired outcome.
2. If I am in the United States without legal documentation, I am always subject to removal by the
USCIS. Immigration Legal Services may not be able to protect me from removal and will make
an independent decision regarding whether or not to represent me in removal proceedings.
3. Catholic Charities has a grievance procedure I may use if I have any complaints regarding the
services provided. The procedure is as follows: The client will first contact the caseworker
responsible for the client’s case. If the caseworker is not responsive to the client’s complaint
within two days, the client may prepare a grievance form (available from any staff member or the
office receptionist) and give it to the Senior Program Manager of Immigration Legal Services. If
she does not resolve the problem, the form will go to Catholic Charities’ Chief Operating Office
who will make the final decision in the matter.
4. Immigration Legal Services may reassign my case among staff members. The Program will
inform me in writing of such a transfer.
5. I understand that if I do not fulfill any part of this agreement, the Program may withdraw from
my case.
6. I understand that the Program’s fee is for legal services and does not include USCIS fees, out of
pocket expenses, and charges for checks returned for insufficient funds. If I withdraw from the
Program’s representation, I will owe for the work completed at the time of withdrawal.
7. If a conflict of interest arises that cannot be resolved, the Program may withdraw from one or
both individuals in this matter in keeping with ethical obligations.
8. The Program will keep my file for ten years after it is closed.
The following individuals by their signatures mutually agree to this contract.
_________________________ ______________________
Signature of Client Signature of Caseworker
___________________________ _______________________
Date Date
