Best Immigration Lawyers 2022
Bretz & Coven, LLP Attorneys at Law
Bretz & Coven, LLP, Attorneys at Law, is an immigration law firm that serves individuals and families in New York City. Its senior partner, Kerry Bretz, takes on deportation defense, employment and business visas, and family-based green cards. He also handles immigration eligibility with criminal history, special immigrant juvenile, writ of mandamus, naturalization, and waivers. Bretz has been featured on various television programs, including CNN, Judge Jeannie, and O'Reilly Factor. He is a member of AILA and NYCLA.
Bardazzi Law PLLC
Bardazzi Law PLLC is an international multi-practice firm that serves clients in New York City. It represents individuals and U.S. companies seeking to employ foreign skilled workers, managers, and executives. The firm assists clients in obtaining E-2 Investor and other U.S. visas for different objectives, such as employment, internships, company transfers, travel, and citizenship. For more than 20 years, the firm has been representing clients in corporate law, real estate law, and intellectual property law. Its attorneys speak fluent Italian, English, and Spanish.
Law Office of Patricia Machado
Based in New York City, the Law Office of Patricia Machado offers services to clients in the local metro. It provides legal assistance on matters regarding work authorization, political asylum, Violence Against Women Act, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals. It also helps clients with adjustment of status and cancellation of removal. Principal attorney Patricia Machado has more than 20 years of experience practicing law. She is fluent in Spanish and visits her clients in detention centers to interview and represent them.
Law Offices of Stuart J. Reich, PLLC
Established in 2003, the Law Offices of Stuart J. Reich, PLLC, addresses the legal needs of clients in New York City and the surrounding areas. It handles family immigration matters, including marriage-based green cards and foreign national sponsorships. It also assists in corporate compliance with immigration laws. Principal Stuart Reich has been practicing immigration law for nearly 25 years. He serves as the Department of Labor Subcommittee Chair of the New York County Law Association's Immigration Committee.
Ajay K. Arora Attorney-at-Law, PC
Ajay K. Arora Attorney-at-Law, PC is a full-service New York City immigration law firm focusing on employment and family immigration law. It offers extensive representation in visa petitions and applications including but not limited to H-1B visas, adjustment of status (I-485 applications), labor certifications (PERM), and family and marriage sponsorships. Related expertise includes extension of status to visitor visa, student visas, and consular processing. Its principal attorney, Ajay K. Arora, has more than 25 years of experience in immigration law.
C.T. Lee & Associates Attorneys at Law
C.T. Lee & Associates Attorneys at Law provides legal assistance to New York City clients in the immigration process, such as business and employer-based visa applications, green card applications, deportations, and asylums. It also handles personal injury, business, real estate, and criminal law cases. Founder Corey T. Lee is an immigration lawyer who holds knowledge and experience in providing advice to different individuals and various sizes of companies. He is an American Immigration Lawyers Association and New York Bar Association member.
Gottfried & Gottfried
Gottfried & Gottfried is a New York City-based law firm that serves clients throughout the metro. It works on immigration law cases and deals with matters related to family and employment-based applications for permanent residence. The firm has experience representing UN workers. It also provides legal assistance to corporations on issues regarding non-immigrant visa petitions. One of the firm's partners, Robert Gottfried, has over 40 years of experience in immigration law. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Manchanda Law Office PLLC
Manchanda Law Office PLLC offers legal services to New York City residents. The firm has been representing and advising individuals, government clients, and corporations for close to 20 years. It handles immigration law cases, including immigration appeals, employment-based visa petitions, family-based immigrant and non-immigrant visa petitions, asylum applications, and deportations. Manchanda Law Office has successfully represented religious workers, immigrant visa lottery beneficiaries and their families, and F-1 students. It has also served clients from Europe, Australia, and Asia.
Khunkhun Law
Located on Madison Avenue, NYC, Khunkhun Law specializes in immigration law, serving clients throughout New York City. Attorney Sharon Khunkhun has practiced immigration law for over 16 years and is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The practice covers a range of services, including marriage-based immigration and family-based immigration, as well as seeking visas for artists and employees. Consultations can be scheduled by phone or online on the company's website.
Merrick Immigration Law PLLC
Merrick Immigration Law PLLC is a New York City-based firm that exclusively helps clients working through the paperwork needed for business, employment, and family immigration. Its lawyers and staff also guide clients through the process of applying for US citizenship through naturalization. It houses employees who are fluent in French, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. Its managing partner, Matt Merrick, is an active member of the Global Migration Section of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Neil A. Weinrib & Associates Attorneys at Law
Neil A. Weinrib & Associates, Attorneys at Law, is a firm that serves clients across New York City. It advocates for immigrants' rights through legal assistance on cases involving family-sponsored immigration and political asylum. The firm also helps its clients in qualifying for the government initiative Diversity Visa Program. Its other fields of practice are family law, estate planning, and real estate law. Neil Weinrib, the firm's managing director, has over 30 years of experience helping foreign nationals settle in the United States.
Shrestha Law Firm, PLLC
Shrestha Law Firm, PLLC, assists New York City clients in matters involving immigration and nationality law. It offers legal consultation and representation to individuals, families, and corporations in obtaining permanent and temporary residency and in other visa-related concerns. It also helps foreign nationals with deportation and removal proceedings. Other practice areas include naturalization, business immigration, family and fiancé immigration, asylum, federal litigation, and NY divorce. Principal attorney Ramesh K. Shrestha has over 24 years of extensive experience in the field.
Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC
From its two offices in New York City, The Law Offices of Robert Tsigler PLLC provides individuals with defense against deportation and assistance in obtaining asylum. Attorneys at the firm navigate the application process for family-based immigration petitions and also assist with the procurement of citizenship through naturalization. Founding attorney Robert Tsigler is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, and the firm's multilingual staff can serve clients in Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, and Hungarian.
Prizant Law
Based in New York, Prizant Law is a boutique immigration law firm that serves families and individuals as well as businesses. Its practice areas include citizenship and naturalization, waivers, green cards, family immigration, and adjustments of status. Additionally, it assists with asylum and removal defense. It helps clients obtain investor, student, nonimmigrant, and immigrant visas. Managing attorney Svetlana Prizant has experience with special programs and treaties along with appeals and motions to reopen.
RelisLaw
RelisLaw is an award-winning immigration law practice (AVVO, Thumbtack, Thervo 2016-2020) based in New York City and serving clients in all U.S. states Dr. Tamara Relis, co-founder was selected to the prestigious Superlawyers Rising Stars group (2019, 2020), and is a member of AILA, the top American Immigration Lawyers Association. The RelisLaw group provides assistance in most visa and green card immigration matters including family-based immigration, citizenship/naturalization, fiancé visas, complex waivers, LGBTQ+ families, entrepreneurs and businesses, O visas for extraordinary ability in all professions, artists, court removal defense, asylum, VAWA and U visas for victims of crime.The legal office serves clients in various languages including French, Spanish Chinese, and Korean.
The Law Office of Sophia Solovyova
The Law Office of Sophia Solovyova handles all aspects of immigration law, focusing on matters concerning family-based petitions, asylum, deportation defense in Immigration Court, and criminal immigration. Serving New York City and the surrounding communities, the firm also provides legal assistance to children and youth under 21, victims of crime and exploitation, LGBT asylum seekers, and self-petitioning abused spouses. The firm's lawyer, Sophia Solovyova, is an immigrant who also offers her services in Russian and Spanish. She is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Law Offices of Tsirina Goroshit & Associates, P.C.
The Law Offices of Tsirina Goroshit & Associates, P.C., provide legal assistance to individuals, families, and businesses in and around New York City. Offering its services in Russian, Hebrew, Ukrainian, Uzbek, and Mandarin, the firm handles immigration cases of various types including defense from removal or deportation, adjustment of status, employment-based and family-based visas, naturalization, and non-immigrant visas. It also takes cases involving asylum applications and petitions under the Violence Against Woman Act. Founding attorney Tsirina Goroshit is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Aaron D.P. Shapiro
Aaron D.P. Shapiro is a general practice attorney who serves families and individuals in New York City. He offers services for legal matters involving immigration, criminal, and family law, in addition to civil and transactional matters. His immigration representation covers citizenship and naturalization, deportation proceedings, visas, DACA, and TPS. Shapiro assists individuals with removal defense proceedings, providing options for cancellation of removal, voluntary departure, and asylum. His additional service includes adjustment of status for green card holders and permanent residents.
Bhatta Law & Associates, PLLC
Bhatta Law & Associates, PLLC, is an international law firm serving clients in New York City. It provides a wide range of immigration services that cover work-based visas, investment-based visas, and family-based green cards. The firm also represents companies, performers, and athletes in the areas of business law and intellectual property law. The firm engages with U.S. and foreign attorneys, and it has a legal team that speaks multiple languages. Founding member Dilli Raj Bhatta has been admitted to practice in state and federal courts.
Feiner & Lavy P.C. Attorneys at Law
Feiner & Lavy P.C. Attorneys at Law is an immigration law firm serving clients in New York City. It offers legal services to individual immigrants and corporations who want to obtain U.S. work visas, green cards, and U.S. citizenship. In addition, it also provides representation in deportation and removal proceedings in NYC's Immigration Court and other courts in the United States. Founded more than 50 years ago, the firm continues to focus on the complicated cases of U.S. immigration.
Law Offices of Michael H. Markovitch
The Law Offices of Michael H. Markovitch serves individuals and families in the New York City area. Founder Michael H. Markovitch has over 35 years of experience in representing clients in family-based and employment-based immigration cases. He also assists clients with nonimmigrant visas such as H-1B work and B-2 tourist visas. His other areas of practice include immigration appeals, deportation, waiver applications, naturalization, and authentication of documents. Markovitch is a member of the American Immigration Lawyer Association.
Berd & Klauss, PLLC
Berd & Klauss, PLLC, is a legal office that serves the immigration needs of clients in New York City. It assists with the application of immigrant and non-immigrant visas and the processing of corporate and business immigration. The firm helps clients extend and change their status, obtain lawful permanent residency, and apply for naturalization. Its immigration lawyers also represent clients during deportation hearings. Alex Berd, One of the firm's attorneys, is a member of the Israel Bar Association.
Wildes Weinberg, PC
Catering to clients in the New York City metro, Wildes Weinberg, PC, is a law practice established in 1960 by Leon Wildes, a former national president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. The firm offers representation services in cases involving immigration matters such as investor visas, consular practice, labor certification, and work visas. In addition, its team of legal professionals handles business immigration, family immigration, and naturalization concerns. It has also provided assistance in applications for political asylum.
John Nicelli & Associates
John Nicelli & Associates is a private practice that serves the immigration needs of individuals, families, and businesses in New York City. The firm offers legal assistance in various immigration cases, non-immigrant and immigrant visas, family and employment-based immigration, and deportation defense. It also provides legal representation for immigration litigation involving U visas, adjustment of status, asylum applications, and voluntary departures. Attorney John A. Nicelli has been a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and has focused on immigration law for over 30 years.
Frenkel, Hershkowitz & Shafran LLP
Frenkel, Hershkowitz & Shafran LLP is a law firm that represents clients in immigration proceedings in and around New York City. Founded over 45 years ago, it serves the immigration needs of corporations, small businesses, institutions, and individuals in a wide variety of immigration cases, including permanent residence, work visas, labor certification, and removal issues. It offers its services in English, Hebrew, Arabic, Spanish, Russian, Yiddish, and French, assisting a broad range of nationalities and people groups. Founding partner David Frenkel has been serving clients from over 85 countries around the world.
Zohar Law
Zohar Law is an immigration law firm that serves clients in New York City. It specializes in a wide range of immigration law services, including business immigration, green cards, non-immigrant visas, and citizenship and naturalization. It also handles family-based green cards, waiver of ineligibility, H-1B visas, and removal and deportation defense. Managing partner Gadi Zohar has many years of experience working with a broad clientele on immigration issues, family matters, and real estate transactions.
Emandi Law Firm, P.C.
Emandi Law Firm, P.C., is an immigration law firm that serves the residents of New York City and nearby areas. It caters to immigrants looking to apply for work visas, visit visas, and student visas. The firm educates each client on the necessary criteria for applications, such as naturalized relatives and funds for travel. It also defends clients against potential deportation and refusal of citizenship. Founder Rani Emandi has been practicing law for over 24 years. She hosts a weekly show called "Frontline: Immigration Challenges with Rani Emandi."
Malik Law Firm
Malik Law Firm provides legal services to clients in New York City. The legal office helps clients navigate the process of filing various forms of immigrant visas, including family-based petitions, immediate relative visas, and consular processing. It also assists in determining work authorization possibilities, managing visa documentation needs, and obtaining lawful status in the United States. Founding attorney Merium Malik is both an immigration and criminal defense lawyer. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
Law Office of Rachel Einbund, PC
The Law Office of Rachel Einbund, PC, is a boutique immigration law firm that provides legal services to individuals, families, and same-sex couples in New York City. It specializes in green card applications based on marriage and family petitions but also handles other cases such as political asylum, uncontested divorce, VAWA petitions, and waivers of inadmissibility. Einbund was named one of the 10 Best Immigration Lawyers in New York in 2016 by the American Institute of Legal Counsel.
The Law Office of Christian Y. Alvarez
The Law Office of Christian Y. Alvarez caters to individuals and families with immigration law cases in New York City. Its primary associate, Christian Y. Alvarez, provides services to individuals, investors, and startup companies, taking on employment-based and family-based immigration. Her employment-based petition options include O and P visas, PERM process, and L-1 A company transfer. She also handles waivers of inadmissibility, asylum, naturalization, and DACA. Alvarez is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is fluent in Spanish.
Dunlap Bennett & Ludwig
Founded in 2001, Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig is a full service law firm with an office in New York City. The firm operates on a global scale, with attorneys who are licensed to practice in over 40 states and internationally. Its immigration practice assists clients with family and corporate immigration, procuring non-immigrant visas for foreign press members, religious workers, athletes and entertainers, and those with extraordinary ability. It additionally advises and represents individuals seeking asylum, green cards, citizenship, and naturalization.
Expert Answers To Common Questions:
- What do immigration lawyers do?
- How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
- Do immigration lawyers go to court?
- Is hiring an immigration lawyer worth it?
- What questions should I ask an immigration lawyer?
- Can a lawyer help immigrant children who have been separated from their parents?
- How can someone legally immigrate to the United States?
- When do you need an immigration lawyer?
- Are illegal immigrants eligible for federal assistance?
- Can I switch immigration lawyers during proceedings?
- Do I need an immigration lawyer to get a green card?
- What can an immigration lawyer do for me?
- Q: What do immigration lawyers do?
- A: Immigration lawyers help individuals and businesses communicate with authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Immigration lawyers assist foreign nationals who are living or working in the United States or want to enter the country legally. They provide legal advice, prepare visa and green card applications, and represent clients in administrative hearings and immigration courts. They also represent individuals who are facing legal challenges such as detention or deportation.
- Q: How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
- A: Immigration attorney fees vary significantly based on the specific services a client needs, the attorney’s experience, and the geographic region. Lawyers in this field usually charge between $150 to $350 per hour, plus fees for filing various kinds of paperwork. Services such as form filing, green card applications, and naturalization applications can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars including attorney fees and filing fees. For employment-related visas or green cards, the employer may be responsible for a portion of that cost. The cost of more complex situations such as asylum applications and deportation defense can range from $1,000 to nearly $10,000.
- Q: Do immigration lawyers go to court?
- A: Yes, while immigration attorneys typically represent clients during administrative proceedings overseen by the U.S. Department of Justice, they can present cases in federal courts at all levels. They also handle circuit court and Supreme Court complaints after cases have been reviewed by the Board of Immigration Appeals—the highest administrative body within the immigration system.
- Q: Is hiring an immigration lawyer worth it?
- A: Hiring an immigration attorney is generally a smart decision. Effective legal representation can save time, prevent costly mistakes, and help clients navigate complicated filing processes and deadlines. Lawyers can provide accurate, personalized advice consistent with current regulations. They can prepare effective applications and help clients avoid application rejections or requests for additional information. Immigration attorneys help clients prepare for interviews, apply for waivers, and overcome various legal barriers. Immigration laws are notoriously complex and subject to change, and government agencies are favoring detention and deportation increasingly, which can make self representation risky.
- Q: What questions should I ask an immigration lawyer?
- A:
Initial meetings give prospective clients an opportunity to screen immigration attorneys and determine if an attorney can meet their needs. You should assess the lawyer’s level of experience as well as their history handling similar cases. Here are some useful questions to ask:
- How can you help with my case?
- What’s the best strategy in this case?
- Can you check my immigration status?
- How much will these services cost?
- What is the best way to reach my immigration case manager?
- What happens if I am unable to pay?
- What is the next step?
- Q: Can a lawyer help immigrant children who have been separated from their parents?
- A: Yes, immigration attorneys can petition Immigration and Customs Enforcement to release detainees and reunite children with their parents. In recent years, officials have separated thousands of migrant and asylum-seeking children from their parents, especially at border crossings. Attorneys affiliated with the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the American Immigration Council are actively fighting government policies through the Immigration Justice Campaign. In some cases, pro bono legal services are available to families who have been affected by parent-children separation.
- Q: How can someone legally immigrate to the United States?
- A: Generally speaking, individuals who are visiting the United States for more than 90 days or are arriving from a non-waiver country must apply for a visa or green card. Visas enable individuals to remain in the United States temporarily for specific activities, such as studying, working, or traveling. Foreign nationals, including relatives of permanent residents and citizens, who wish to live in the United States permanently, must apply for a green card. Usually, travelers must secure documents at a foreign consulate before traveling to the United States. An immigration attorney can provide specific advice regarding different types of visas and eligibility categories, as well as updates on immigration policy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Q: When do you need an immigration lawyer?
- A: In many cases, individuals can secure a visa or green card without a lawyer’s assistance. However, there are instances where legal representation is valuable. Businesses that would like to sponsor foreign workers should generally consult an immigration attorney to ensure that they’re complying with all employment laws. Individuals may need help from an attorney when facing bureaucratic delays, burdensome paperwork, deportation proceedings, or challenges related to previous violations or financial instability. Lawyers can step in any time that the process becomes too complex for an individual to handle independently.
- Q: Are illegal immigrants eligible for federal assistance?
- A: No. Individuals must be legal immigrants to apply for federal welfare benefits such as Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and affordable health insurance. Eligibility depends on the immigrant’s status. For example, refugees are generally eligible for benefits, while other legal immigrants must be long-term residents with at least 10 years of work history. An attorney can provide more information and assist with the application process.
- Q: Can I switch immigration lawyers during proceedings?
- A: Yes, it’s possible to change representation during an immigration case, especially if the attorney is inefficient or uncommunicative. However, immigration is a slow process, and your immigration attorney may not be responsible for the delays. Regardless of the reason for switching, it’s essential to notify U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to ensure that communications are forwarded to the correct representative. Individuals are also encouraged to report scams.
- Q: Do I need an immigration lawyer to get a green card?
- A: Legal representation isn’t required to apply for a green card, but it’s helpful in many cases. The application process can be complicated, and you may fall into more than one eligibility category. Lawyers can determine which option will be the fastest, easiest, or cheapest. They can also help if you are facing challenges due to a criminal record or previous immigration violations.
- Q: What can an immigration lawyer do for me?
- A: An attorney is a vital ally for immigrants who are starting a new life in the United States. These professionals can provide personalized advice, explain potential options, and help you choose the best course of action. In addition to guiding clients through the complex process of applying for a visa or green card, they help immigrants understand relevant rules and regulations, find employment opportunities, and proceed on the path toward achieving long-term goals, such as citizenship. Most importantly, qualified immigration attorneys can help clients avoid costly mistakes that may result in delays or denials.