Building a Strong Case Together.

Every successful case is built on momentum. Clear communication, timely responses, and a shared commitment help move your petition forward efficiently—and give your attorney everything needed to build the strongest possible case.

/THE PARTNERSHIP

What Makes A Case Stronger.

The strongest cases come from strong partnerships. We bring the legal expertise; you bring the context, the evidence, and the engagement. When both sides show up fully, you give your case every possible advantage.

YOUR ROLE

What Your Attorney Expects From You.

Respond to document requests promptly and completely
Share everything relevant — even things you're unsure about
Be honest and accurate in everything you provide
Raise concerns through conversation, not unilateral changes
Stay engaged and responsive at every stage

OUR ROLE

What You Can Expect From Your Attorney.

A clear legal strategy tailored specifically to your profile and case
Transparent communication at every defined milestone
Honest, well-researched guidance — including on difficult situations
Thoughtful responses to your questions, within a reasonable window
A commitment to the most complete and compelling case possible

Everything You Share With Your Attorney Is Fully Confidential.

There is no such thing as oversharing. The more complete and honest the picture you give your legal team, the stronger the case they can build for you. If something feels uncertain or complicated, bring it up — it is always better addressed early. Everything you share stays between you and your legal team.

Andrea Lee
Daniel Son
Blake Burch
Lucia Maxwell
Avalon L. Paul
Carla Caballero
Andrea Lee
Daniel Son
Blake Burch
Lucia Maxwell
Avalon L. Paul
Carla Caballero

/CASE STAGES

What Happens at Each Stage — And Roughly How Long.

Your case moves through a series of defined milestones. Here's what each one involves and the time to allow, so you know what's ahead. Timelines are estimates — your attorney will confirm the specifics for your case. Between milestones, Manifest OS is always open.

01

Strategy Call

Typically 5–7 business days after signing. Your attorney reviews your profile, maps your strategy, and sets the foundation. Come prepared with questions — this is your chance to align on the plan ahead.

Hands uploading case documents using a tablet and keyboard

02

Evidence Collection

Within 2 weeks of your strategy call. This is where you start gathering your documents and uploading them to your attorney through Manifest OS. The faster your record comes together, the sooner your attorney can begin building.

Attorney reviewing a printed document with a pen in hand

03

Evidence Review

Typically 2–4 weeks to assemble and review. A checkpoint to review what's been gathered and strengthen any gaps. What you provide here directly shapes how compelling your argument will be.

Legal team reviewing case strategy together around a conference table

04

Strategy Lock

Typically 1–2 weeks. Your attorney locks in the final strategy before drafting begins. This is the best moment to raise any last thoughts — getting it right sets up a smooth draft.

05

Drafting

Typically 1–3 months. With your strategy locked and your record complete, your attorney gets to work writing your petition — building the legal argument and shaping your evidence into the strongest possible case. This is the most involved stage of the process, so the timeline depends on the complexity of your case.

Client reading through a draft petition at her kitchen table

06

Draft Review

Typically 2–3 weeks across both rounds. Your attorney walks you through the petition and the strategic choices made on your behalf. You have two rounds of feedback — including Quality Team review, Senior Immigration Attorney review, and ex-USCIS Officer review if included in your plan.

USCIS petition forms prepared for filing

07

Case Filed

Within 1 week after final draft approval. Once the petition is finalized and approved by both ends, your attorney submits it to USCIS. You'll receive a confirmation with your receipt number, which you can use to track status. From here, the case is in USCIS's hands — your attorney will monitor it and reach out if anything requires your attention.

The United States Capitol building with an American flag flying

08

Government Response

RFE: by the notice deadline. NOID: 30 days. Premium processing: a new 15-day clock after response. If an RFE or NOID is received, your attorney will reach out promptly to explain what it means and chart the path forward. These deadlines are firm and rarely extended, so the sooner we move, the more thorough a response we can build.

/OUTSIDE ADVICE

We Know You'll Do Your Own Research — Here's How To Do It Wisely.

It's completely natural to search online, talk to friends, or use AI tools to better understand your case. Just remember that public AI tools are not protected by attorney-client privilege — so avoid sharing sensitive personal or immigration information.

Man researching his immigration case on a laptop at a desk

*Representative image - not actual Manifest lawyer or client

/UNDERSTANDING THE RISKS

Before You Act On Outside Advice.

Not all advice applies to every case. Understanding the difference can help you make better decisions.

Not Every Case Is the Same

Friends, forums, and AI can all be helpful sources of information. But immigration law is highly fact-specific, and no two cases are alike. What worked for someone else may be based on different facts, timelines, officers, or circumstances than your own.

Not Every Answer Is Reliable

AI can sound authoritative while being outdated, oversimplified, or simply not applicable to your situation. It can confidently generate incorrect information. Please don't treat an AI response as a final answer.

/MAKING BETTER DECISIONS

Research Freely. Decide With Confidence.

The best decisions come from combining your own research with the guidance of the attorney who knows your case.

Attorneys and a client talking across a conference room table

Your attorney has the full picture.

Your attorney understands your case, current adjudication trends, and the strategy being built for your petition. Their guidance should always take priority.

A person reading printed documents at a desk beside a laptop

Research is encouraged.

AI is a great place to understand unfamiliar terms, explore questions, or learn more about the immigration process — but it's a starting point for questions, not decisions.

Two people in a private, closed-door conversation

Protect your privacy.

Unlike conversations with your attorney, public AI tools are not protected by attorney-client privilege. Avoid sharing passport details, immigration history, medical information, or other sensitive personal information.

Two colleagues reviewing something on a tablet together

Always ask before acting.

Never submit AI-generated documents or responses to USCIS or any government agency without your attorney reviewing them first. If you're unsure, ask your attorney before moving forward.

Classical stone columns on a courthouse facade seen from below

Remember…

Your attorney is always your primary point of contact for questions related to your case. If something you've read online or generated with AI conflicts with your attorney's guidance, bring it to us. For non-legal questions or additional assistance, you're always welcome to contact our support team through our main line.

/THE MANIFEST APPROACH

Why Human Judgment Still Matters.

AI can accelerate legal research — but immigration decisions still require experience, context, and professional judgment.

False Information

AI Invents Legal Facts, Confidently. Stanford researchers found that general-purpose AI models hallucinated on 58–88% of legal questions, fabricating cases, rulings, and legal rules. Even specialized legal AI tools are still wrong roughly 1 in 6 times or more.

The Confirmation Bias

AI Tells You What You Want to Hear. AI can be surprisingly persuasive. When asked leading questions, it often confirms assumptions rather than correcting them. That's especially risky when you're evaluating something as important as an immigration petition.

The Manifest Difference

But Doesn't Manifest Use AI? We do, but AI is only one part of our process. Every output is reviewed against your full case file and verified by a licensed attorney before it becomes part of your petition.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Your Data Stays Your Data. The AI providers Manifest uses operate under enterprise Zero Data Retention agreements, meaning your information is not retained, used to train models, or shared.

False Information

AI Invents Legal Facts, Confidently. Stanford researchers found that general-purpose AI models hallucinated on 58–88% of legal questions, fabricating cases, rulings, and legal rules. Even specialized legal AI tools are still wrong roughly 1 in 6 times or more.

The Confirmation Bias

AI Tells You What You Want to Hear. AI can be surprisingly persuasive. When asked leading questions, it often confirms assumptions rather than correcting them. That's especially risky when you're evaluating something as important as an immigration petition.

The Manifest Difference

But Doesn't Manifest Use AI? We do, but AI is only one part of our process. Every output is reviewed against your full case file and verified by a licensed attorney before it becomes part of your petition.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Your Data Stays Your Data. The AI providers Manifest uses operate under enterprise Zero Data Retention agreements, meaning your information is not retained, used to train models, or shared.

False Information

AI Invents Legal Facts, Confidently. Stanford researchers found that general-purpose AI models hallucinated on 58–88% of legal questions, fabricating cases, rulings, and legal rules. Even specialized legal AI tools are still wrong roughly 1 in 6 times or more.

The Confirmation Bias

AI Tells You What You Want to Hear. AI can be surprisingly persuasive. When asked leading questions, it often confirms assumptions rather than correcting them. That's especially risky when you're evaluating something as important as an immigration petition.

The Manifest Difference

But Doesn't Manifest Use AI? We do, but AI is only one part of our process. Every output is reviewed against your full case file and verified by a licensed attorney before it becomes part of your petition.

Privacy & Confidentiality

Your Data Stays Your Data. The AI providers Manifest uses operate under enterprise Zero Data Retention agreements, meaning your information is not retained, used to train models, or shared.

Building a Strong Case Together.

What Makes A Case Stronger.

What Your Attorney Expects From You.

What You Can Expect From Your Attorney.

Everything You Share With Your Attorney Is Fully Confidential.