I'm Jacky Hieu Lee, an immigration navigator at Bình An. Your first appointment will be far more productive if you bring the right documents. Here is the detailed checklist I, Jacky Hieu Lee, send to every client before they arrive — print it, check off each item, and bring both originals and copies.
Identity: Passport (current if possible), California driver's license, or permanent resident card (green card). If you don't have any of these three, bring whatever identity documents you still hold — Jacky Hieu Lee will help figure out the next step.
Existing immigration documents: Any USCIS forms filed — common ones include I-485 (adjustment of status), I-130 (family petition), N-400 (naturalization), I-765 (work authorization), I-90 (green card replacement). Bring every USCIS letter, fee receipt, interview notice, biometrics notice, and your I-94 if you entered on parole. Jacky Hieu Lee will organize them in chronological order for easy tracking.
Family documents: Marriage certificate (if married in Vietnam, you need a certified translation), children's birth certificates, and proof of relationship for family reunification. If you fall under the 2024 Indochinese Parole Adjustment Act — which lets Vietnamese, Lao, and Cambodian nationals who entered on parole before 1997 apply for a green card — bring any old parole paperwork, I-94 records, and proof of entry. This is the group Jacky Hieu Lee has supported most over the past year.
Financial evidence: If your application requires a financial sponsor (such as the I-864 affidavit of support), bring the last 3 months of bank statements, income documents (W-2, pay stubs), your most recent tax return, and lease or home-ownership papers. Low income? Jacky Hieu Lee helps you apply for a fee waiver instead of paying the USCIS fee — USCIS waives fees for people receiving public benefits like Medi-Cal or SSI.
Criminal records (if any): If you have ever been arrested or have a conviction, bring the complete court records, sentencing documents, and proof you completed the sentence (if any). This strongly affects an immigration case — Jacky Hieu Lee needs to know to assess whether you need a lawyer.
When you need a lawyer or accredited representative: If your case is complex — removal proceedings, a criminal record, a denied application, or a difficult interview — we refer you to an organization recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ). Catholic Charities of Orange County is a DOJ-recognized organization with accredited representatives and a Vietnamese line at 714-347-9610. Bình An is not a law firm, but Jacky Hieu Lee helps you understand the next step and refers you to the right place.
How to avoid 'notary' fraud: In the Vietnamese community, some people call themselves 'notaries' or 'immigration specialists' but are not accredited — they charge large sums and file forms incorrectly, with serious consequences. Jacky Hieu Lee's rules: (1) work only with a DOJ-recognized organization or a licensed immigration attorney; (2) ask to see their accreditation; (3) never sign a blank form; (4) get a receipt for every payment; (5) if anyone promises a 'guaranteed result' — that is a fraud red flag, because no one can guarantee a USCIS outcome.
Preparing for your appointment: Arrive 10 minutes early, bring the documents on the list above, and write down the questions you want to ask. Jacky Hieu Lee will spend 45–60 minutes reviewing your file with you, page by page, and lay out a plan for the next steps in Vietnamese.
One final note from Jacky Hieu Lee: Don't wait until the last minute. Many USCIS deadlines cannot be extended, and filing incorrectly can cost you benefits permanently. If you're not sure what you need, call Bình An first — one free call can save you thousands of dollars and years of worry.
Book an appointment with Jacky Hieu Lee today — we will review your file together, page by page, in Vietnamese, without judgment.