Immigration Lawyer Overview
Last updated: April 10, 2026
What Does an Immigration Lawyer Do?
An immigration lawyer helps individuals and families navigate the complex US immigration system. They handle visa applications, green cards, citizenship, deportation defense, asylum claims, and other immigration matters.
Areas of Immigration Law
Family-Based Immigration
- Marriage-based green cards (US citizen or LPR spouse)
- Parent and child petitions
- Sibling petitions
- Fiancé(e) visas (K-1)
- VAWA self-petitions
Employment-Based Immigration
- H-1B specialty occupation visas
- L-1 intracompany transfers
- O-1 extraordinary ability
- EB-1 priority workers
- EB-2 advanced degrees
- EB-3 skilled workers
- EB-5 investors
- PERM labor certification
Citizenship and Naturalization
- N-400 applications
- Citizenship interviews
- Civic test preparation
- Oath ceremonies
- Citizenship for children
Humanitarian Immigration
- Asylum
- Refugee status
- Withholding of removal
- Convention Against Torture (CAT)
- U visas (crime victims)
- T visas (trafficking victims)
- TPS (Temporary Protected Status)
Removal Defense
- Deportation proceedings
- Bond hearings
- Cancellation of removal
- Voluntary departure
- Appeals
Other Services
- DACA renewals
- Travel documents
- Status changes
- Visa extensions
- Waivers
Cost of Immigration Services
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Marriage green card | $1,500-$5,000 |
| Naturalization | $1,000-$3,000 |
| Asylum | $3,000-$10,000 |
| Deportation defense | $5,000-$25,000+ |
| H-1B visa | $2,500-$8,000 |
| EB-5 investor | $15,000-$50,000+ |
| Appeals | $5,000-$20,000+ |
Plus government filing fees ($410-$3,675+).
Why You Need an Immigration Lawyer
- Immigration law is complex
- Mistakes can be permanent
- Forms are technical
- Procedures have strict deadlines
- One mistake can cause denial
- Detention is a risk
- Deportation is irreversible
When to Hire Immediately
- You're in deportation proceedings
- You've been detained by ICE
- Your petition was denied
- You're at the border
- You face criminal charges with immigration consequences
- Your visa is expiring
Free or low-cost consultations are available with many immigration attorneys.
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