Find a regulated immigration lawyer in United States

Check who is allowed to give immigration advice, what it costs and what to ask before you pay, then book a immigration lawyer directly. Every listing links to the official State bar / EOIR register.

Guides

• How much does an immigration lawyer cost? — There are two bills: the lawyer's fee, which each lawyer sets (flat, hourly or per consult) and must explain to you, and the government filing fees, which are fixed by regulation. A marriage green card filed inside the US, for example, carries $2,115 in USCIS fees for the I-130 and I-485 alone, before any lawyer's fee.
• Do I need an immigration lawyer? What the rules say — No federal rule requires you to hire anyone to file with USCIS; the regulations say a person "may be represented". If you do get help, only attorneys, DOJ-accredited representatives and a few narrow categories may represent you. Whether to get one is your decision; this page sets out the rules and deadlines that bear on it.
• Do I need a lawyer for a marriage green card? — No rule requires one. A spouse filing inside the US pays $675 for the I-130 and $1,440 for the I-485 (age 14+). If the green card is granted on a conditional basis, the I-751 must be filed in the 90 days before its second anniversary, or permanent residence ends automatically.
• Do I need a lawyer to apply for US citizenship? — No rule requires one. The N-400 fee is $760 on paper, $380 at or below 400% of the poverty guidelines, and it can be waived. The core test in 8 CFR 316.2 is five years as a permanent resident with 30 months' physical presence, or three years and 18 months for a spouse living with a US citizen (8 CFR 319.1).
• Do I need a lawyer for a K-1 fiancé(e) visa? — No rule requires one. The K-1 runs in three stages: the I-129F petition ($675), the State Department K visa ($265), and, after the wedding, the I-485 green card application ($1,440 at 14+). The couple must have met in person within two years before filing, and the marriage must take place within 90 days of entry.
• Who can legally give US immigration advice? — Attorneys in good standing and DOJ-accredited representatives of recognized non-profits can advise and represent you; a few narrow categories can appear unpaid. Notaries, notarios and immigration consultants cannot give immigration legal advice. Form preparers may only fill in blanks for a nominal fee.
• TPS in 2026: how Temporary Protected Status works, the fees, and the Federal Register notices country by country — Temporary Protected Status is granted to nationals of countries DHS designates, for set periods, and it ends when DHS publishes a termination notice. The I-821 fee rises from $510 to $520 and the first TPS work permit from $560 to $570 for requests postmarked on or after 16 October 2026. Every country's position is set by its own Federal Register notice, so check the USCIS TPS page before acting.
• U visa: who it covers, the law enforcement certification, no filing fee, and the annual cap — U nonimmigrant status is for victims of listed crimes who suffered substantial abuse and have been, are or are likely to be helpful to the authorities. The petition (Form I-918) needs a signed certification from a certifying agency, has no filing fee, and principals are capped at 10,000 a year, with a waiting list and deferred action when the cap is reached. Confidential support is available 24/7 from the National Domestic Violence Hotline (1.800.799.7233) and the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888).
• T visa for trafficking survivors: the requirements, how it differs from the U visa, and what happens after approval — T nonimmigrant status is for victims of a severe form of trafficking in persons who are in the United States because of it, who have complied with reasonable law enforcement requests (unless under 18 or unable because of trauma), and who would suffer extreme hardship involving unusual and severe harm if removed. There is no filing fee, and principals are capped at 5,000 a year. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is 24/7 and confidential: 1-888-373-7888.
• VAWA self-petition (Form I-360): who can file, what must be shown, and what an approval does — A VAWA self-petition lets certain spouses, children and parents of abusive U.S. citizens or permanent residents ask for immigrant classification without the abuser's involvement or knowledge. The statute is 8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1); the form is I-360, and there is no filing fee. An approval gives classification, not status: a green card comes through a separate step. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is confidential and open 24/7 at 1.800.799.7233.
• DACA in 2026: renewals are processed, initial requests are held, and what the rule says — As the USCIS DACA page stands, USCIS continues to accept and process DACA renewal requests, and continues to accept initial requests but does not process them at this time, following a Fifth Circuit decision of 17 January 2025 and a Texas injunction. DACA is deferred action for two years, not lawful status. The DACA fee is $85 on Form I-821D plus the work permit, and USCIS says the DACA fees cannot be waived.
• US travel ban countries in 2026: the full and partial lists in Proclamation 10998, and who is excepted — Proclamation 10998 (90 FR 59717, 19 December 2025), effective 1 January 2026, fully suspends entry of nationals of 19 countries plus holders of Palestinian Authority travel documents, and partly suspends entry of nationals of 20 others. It applies only to people outside the United States without a valid visa on 1 January 2026, and it lists exceptions and national-interest waivers. Check the State Department's visa pages for how it is applied.