Best Immigration Lawyers in 10 Major US Cities

How We Identified America’s Best Immigration Attorneys

Finding the best immigration lawyers in the US can be daunting. With thousands of attorneys nationwide, most people rely on reviews, but not all reviews are equal.

Our goal was simple: surface the most trusted, top-rated immigration attorneys in the country’s ten largest metro areas based on real client sentiment, not marketing.

Here’s the methodology behind this list:

• Platforms used: Avvo, Google, and Yelp
• Composite score: Straight average of the attorney’s Google, Yelp, and Avvo star ratings (e.g., 4.9 + 4.8 + 4.7 ÷ 3 = 4.8).
• Minimum threshold: At least 150 total public reviews across all three platforms.
• In cities where no attorney met this threshold, the attorney with the highest rating and closest total review count was selected.
• Tie-breaker rule: When ratings are close, we selected the attorney with the highest Yelp firm review count, since Yelp has the best trust filters reflecting more detailed client narratives.

This “People’s Choice” list of the best immigration attorneys in the USA focuses on client satisfaction, transparency, and trust—not paid listings or advertising.

1) New York City (Metro 20M) — Immigration Powerhouse

America’s historic immigration gateway remains its busiest legal market for family, humanitarian, artist/athlete (O-1), and business immigration. New York’s legal ecosystem includes consulates, UN/G-4 matters, and a dense network of cultural and academic institutions.

Best Immigration Lawyer in New York

David M. Gottfried – Partner, Gottfried & Gottfried LLP

David Gottfried is a SUNY Buffalo Law graduate who focused on immigration in law school, including two semesters in the immigration clinic and a summer with one of the country’s largest immigration firms. At Gottfried & Gottfried, LLP—one of NYC’s longstanding immigration boutiques—he handles the full spectrum of family and business immigration, with a notable track record in O-1 and EB-1 (E-11 extraordinary ability) filings for scientists, artists, and athletes.

He has presented at AILA’s National Conference (2017) on diplomatic/NIV-to-LPR transitions and frequently lectures on UN and G-4 issues, including appearances at Baruch College and CUNY. Selected to New York Metro Rising Stars (2018–2019), he’s recognized among peers for high-complexity matters and steady client advocacy. Admitted in New York.

Location: New York, NY

2) Los Angeles (Metro 13M) — Asylum & Artist Visa Capital

LA is a global crossroads with deep ties to Latin America and Asia, and a high volume of asylum, removal defense, family, investor, entertainment/artist, and employment-based filings. Courts and USCIS field offices here see some of the nation’s most varied caseloads.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Los Angeles

Ashkan Yekrangi – Founder, Yekrangi & Associates

An immigrant himself, Ashkan Yekrangi blends empathy with aggressive advocacy across asylum, removal defense, mandamus and federal litigation, and employment/family immigration. Educated at UC Irvine (International Studies) and UC Hastings College of the Law (now UC Law SF), he served as an Editor on the Hastings Law Journal and interned at the Supreme Court of California (Justice Joyce Kennard).

His firm is known for hands-on communication and complex case strategy (BIA, Ninth Circuit, and district-court litigation), with repeated Super Lawyers / Rising Stars recognitions. Clients cite detailed prep and strong courtroom presence as differentiators.

📍 Location: Irvine, CA (Greater Los Angeles)

3) Chicago (Metro 9.5M) — Midwest Immigration Gateway

Chicago’s immigration landscape spans Fortune 500 employment sponsorships, Midwestern university pipelines, robust humanitarian dockets, and long-standing South Asian, Latino, African, and Eastern European communities.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Chicago

Dhenu Maru – Founder, SwagatUSA LLC

Arriving from India as a child, Dhenu Maru built a practice shaped by lived experience and community engagement. A Loyola Chicago Law alum, she’s a frequent speaker for the Chicago Bar Association and AILA, presenting on topics like unlawful presence waivers and citizenship. She has published in the Illinois Bar Journal and ABA GP Solo, and is known for clear client education, case-specific strategy, and a welcoming approach—true to “Swagat” (“welcome” in Sanskrit). Practice includes family, humanitarian, and employment-based matters; English, Spanish, Hindi/Urdu, Gujarati/Kachchhi.

📍 Location: Chicago, IL

4) Dallas–Fort Worth (Metro 8.5M) — Fast-Growing Immigration Market

DFW’s fast growth drives high demand across family, DACA/TPS issues, removal defense, and employment-based immigration, with a large small-business and corporate footprint and active federal litigation.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Dallas

Nicolas Chavez – Co-Founder, Chavez & Valko LLP

Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law (Texas Board of Legal Specialization), Nick Chavez has 20+ years of practice and an extensive speaking/writing record for AILA and the State Bar of Texas. He’s argued before immigration courts, the BIA, and federal appellate courts, and has contributed amicus work in significant Fifth Circuit matters. He also advises the Consulate General of Mexico (Dallas) and co-founded Lawpilot, an immigration case-management platform. Known for litigation prowess, ethics, and community leadership, he brings both courtroom experience and scalable systems thinking to complex caseloads.

📍 Location: Dallas, TX

5) Houston (Metro 8M) — Energy & Diversity Hub

One of America’s most diverse metros, Houston’s energy, healthcare, and aerospace sectors power substantial high-skilled immigration, alongside large family and humanitarian dockets.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Houston

William D. Fong – Managing Partner, Fong Ilagan LLP

William Fong is Board Certified in Immigration & Nationality Law and was named a Texas Super Lawyer (2006–2019). Beyond practice, he teaches and helped establish the ABA-approved LL.M. in Immigration Law at Thurgood Marshall School of Law, where he mentors on employment-based immigration and ethics. A former AILA Texas Consular Liaison and frequent conference presenter, he’s widely regarded for complex corporate immigration strategy and consular nuance, with a reputation for precise filings and steady client communication.

📍 Location: Houston, TX

6) San Francisco Bay Area (Metro 8M) — Tech Talent Capital

The Bay Area’s tech economy draws EB-1A/NIW talent, H-1B/L-1 transferees, and PERM-based sponsorships, while family and humanitarian cases remain a constant across the region’s diverse communities.

Best Immigration Lawyer in San Francisco Bay Area

Hasan Abdullah – Founder, American Visa Law Group

A Santa Clara University School of Law graduate, Hasan Abdullah has managed or prepared 2,000+ cases across family and employment matters, with depth in H-1B, PERM, EB-1A/extraordinary ability, and NIW. A long-time AILA member, he has hosted immigration radio programming (KLOK AM1170/AM1550) and received Top 40 Under 40 recognition. Before founding AVLG (2015), he trained and led teams at a full-service immigration firm. Clients cite strategic planning, clear expectation-setting, and fast, responsive communication as strengths; languages include English and Urdu/Hindi.

📍 Location: Fremont, CA

7) Miami (Metro 6.5M) — Latin American Gateway

A hemispheric hub, Miami channels high volumes of business, artist/entertainment, and family immigration, with Spanish-English bilingual practice the norm and federal litigation a steady current.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Miami

Barry Lieber – Founder, Law Office of Barry Lieber

Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Immigration & Nationality Law, Barry Lieber has practiced since 1993, combining boutique responsiveness with deep subject-matter expertise in business/artist visas, fraud waivers, and federal litigation. He’s served on AILA South Florida’s pro bono committee and hosted ILW.com Q&As, earning a reputation for direct access to the attorney, same-day or next-day responses, and bilingual counsel (English/Spanish) without intermediaries. Clients highlight thorough prep and consistent availability—even when he’s traveling.

📍 Location: Miami, FL

8) Washington D.C. Metro (6.4M) — Policy & Power Center

Covering D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland, the region hosts major federal agencies, contractors, NGOs, and international organizations—fueling employment-based visas, security-sensitive clearances, and family/humanitarian matters.

Best Immigration Lawyer in D.C.

Moona Shakil Ali – Founder, Law Office of Moona Shakil PLLC

With 20+ years in immigration law, Moona Shakil Ali focuses on skilled-professional visas (H-1B, TN, L-1, O-1, E-3), PERM/EB-1/EB-2/EB-3, and comprehensive family practice. Admitted in Virginia and the Fourth Circuit, she’s appeared on TV and as a legal-training panelist, and is active with ABA and AILA. Born in Islamabad and fluent in English, Urdu, and Hindi, she is known for precise case planning, straight-talk on timelines, and steady interview preparation.

📍 Location: Arlington, VA

9) Atlanta (Metro 6.4M) — Growing Southeast Immigration Hub

A Southeastern magnet for Caribbean, African, and South Asian communities, Atlanta’s docket spans family, humanitarian relief, investor visas, and employer sponsorships—plus growing removal defense.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Atlanta

Monique C. Reynolds – Founder, The Law Offices of Monique C. Reynolds LLC

A Barry University School of Law graduate and Georgia State alum, Monique Reynolds handles immigration alongside real-estate law, bringing a rare deal-maker’s lens to investor and entrepreneurial immigration. A first-generation American (Jamaican heritage), she gained early hands-on experience in asylum and naturalization clinics and now runs a boutique, high-touch practice known for direct attorney access and practical strategy. Media features include The Gleaner (North America).

📍 Location: East Point, GA

10) Phoenix (Metro 5.1M) — Southwest Immigration Corridor

Phoenix blends a growing tech corridor with long-standing immigrant communities. Caseloads include family, removal defense, humanitarian, and entrepreneurship-driven employment routes.

Best Immigration Lawyer in Phoenix

Roya Habich – Founder, Habich Law PLC

Born to immigrant parents and fluent in English, Persian, and Spanish, Roya Habich brings international perspective (studies/work in Turkey, Spain, China; service projects in Central/Eastern Europe and Latin America). A UT Austin grad and University of Wisconsin Law J.D., she served on the Wisconsin International Law Journal and authored a published note on family reunification. Since founding Habich Law (2012), she’s represented 1,000+ clients, chaired the State Bar of Arizona Immigration Section (2015–2016), and is repeatedly listed among Phoenix’s Top 3 Immigration Lawyers by local consumer guides. Clients emphasize clear explanations, steady communication, and meticulous filings.

📍 Location: Phoenix, AZ

How to Choose Among the Best Immigration Attorneys

Even among the best immigration lawyers in USA, finding the right fit matters:

• Match your case type (e.g., EB-1A, O-1, family, asylum, litigation)
• Ask for a clear plan, timeline, and fee structure
• Check who actually communicates with you — attorney vs. staff
• Evaluate review quality, not just star ratings

Final Thoughts

This list reflects attorneys who consistently rank among the best immigration attorneys in the USA according to real clients—not marketing budgets. Whether you’re applying for a green card, fighting deportation, or seeking an extraordinary ability visa, these lawyers have earned their place through years of trusted work.