Medicine has its Hippocratic oath: "First, do no harm."
Immigration work needs the same principle, perhaps even more urgently.
The Stakes Are Different
When a doctor makes a mistake, the consequences—while serious—are usually bounded. When an immigration professional makes a mistake, the consequences can cascade across generations:
- A parent deported, children left behind
- A family permanently barred from the country
- Years of waiting destroyed by a single error
- Fraud bars that close doors forever
In immigration, harm isn't easily undone. There's often no appeal, no second chance, no way back.
What "Do No Harm" Means in Practice
Know your limits. The most important harm-prevention tool is recognizing when you shouldn't handle something. Cases involving criminal history, prior removal orders, complex waivers, or court proceedings require attorney involvement.
Screen thoroughly. Before taking any action, understand the client's full situation. Prior immigration history, criminal history, travel history, family situations—all of it matters. Acting without full information is acting recklessly.
Verify before filing. Check and double-check before submitting anything. Wrong form versions, incorrect information, missed signatures—these errors have real consequences.
When in doubt, don't. If you're uncertain whether an action is safe, don't take it. Consult someone more experienced. Refer to an attorney. Wait until you're certain.
Document the risks. Ensure clients understand the potential negative outcomes, not just the positive possibilities. Informed consent requires honest risk communication.
The Hardest Application
Sometimes "do no harm" means telling someone you can't help them.
It means explaining that their situation is too complex, or too risky, or requires resources you can't provide. It means potentially losing work to protect a client.
This is hard. It's also non-negotiable.
The Professional Standard
A trained immigration professional understands that their primary obligation is to the client's wellbeing—not to collecting fees, not to appearing helpful, not to their own ego.
This understanding is what separates professionals from amateurs. It's the foundation everything else builds upon.