Interrupted plans: After losing legal status, family is hoping to stay

Before retaining an attorney, people should ask if they're licensed and if they have had any malpractice claims filed against them. When it comes to immigration, they should also make sure that attorney specializes in immigration. She said membership in AILA indicates a lawyer is serious about immigration practice.

"It's one of the most complex areas of law in the country," Walker said. "After 23 years of practicing, I'm still learning every day. It's not an area for the dabbler."

And, she says, before paying a retainer fee, clients should get a written statement about what they're paying for and request copies of their case documents.

"You need to be engaged in your immigration case," Walker said. "You need to understand what's being done."

In the meantime, the Owens are grateful for the outpouring of support from their friends and family.

"I'm so grateful. The American people are great people," Kevin Owen says. "American people have the power to change things. That's one reason we want to be here."

Still, the family is selling off its business assets to pay their expenses. And Laura Owen says she's bracing for her education to be delayed by a year. She says she's missed Great Britain's application deadline for college. And, she'll miss her life and friends here.

"Utah is where I've really grown up," Owen says. "This is home for me right now. ...If I go home I go home to nothing."

E-mail: dbulkeley@desnews.com

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