Every state
Immigration attorneys near you
Work permits, family petitions, green cards, citizenship, removal defence.
Deadline, in general
Deadlines vary by case type and some are very short.
Immigration is federal, so the attorney does not have to be in your state, but the practical parts — consultations, documents, hearings — are easier close to home. A licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice are the only people permitted to give immigration legal advice.
The warning that matters most, in every state: a notario, an immigration consultant, or a "notary public" is not a lawyer and may not give legal advice. Filings prepared by unqualified people are a common cause of denials and, worse, of removal proceedings that a correct filing would have avoided.
Tell us what happened
A few questions about your situation. It is free, and there is no obligation of any kind.
This may be your situation if
- —Your status or work authorisation is expiring or has expired.
- —You want to petition for a family member and do not know where to start.
- —You have received a notice from immigration that you do not understand.
- —You are eligible for citizenship but the application worries you.
- —Someone who is not a lawyer offered to file your case.
What an attorney generally does here
- —Work out which relief or category you actually qualify for.
- —Prepare and file the petitions with the evidence each one requires.
- —Represent you at interviews and in immigration court.
- —Deal with a denial, a request for evidence, or an appeal.
- —Tell you where free accredited nonprofit help exists instead.
The deadline
Deadlines vary by case type and some are very short. Set by Immigration and Nationality Act and 8 C.F.R..
A notice to appear, an appeal window, or a filing date can be measured in days. If you have received anything with a date on it, treat that date as urgent.
Worth gathering first
- —Passports and any immigration documents you hold.
- —Every notice received from USCIS, ICE or the immigration court.
- —Marriage, birth and divorce certificates relevant to a petition.
- —Any prior application, and who prepared it.
- —Any arrest or court record, however old.
If you work in care
A large share of the country’s care workforce is immigrant. Work authorisation problems can interrupt employment overnight, and an employer using status as leverage over pay or hours is itself unlawful and can be raised alongside any wage claim.
Common questions
Is a notario the same as an immigration lawyer?
No. A notary public or immigration consultant may not give legal advice on immigration matters anywhere in the United States. Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative may.
Does my immigration attorney have to be in my state?
Immigration is federal law, so an attorney licensed in any state may represent you. Being nearby helps with documents and appearances.
Can my employer use my status against me over pay?
Federal and state wage protections apply regardless of immigration status, and threatening someone’s status over a wage complaint is separately unlawful.
Is there free immigration help?
Yes. Nonprofit organisations with DOJ-accredited representatives provide free or low-cost help in every state, and a good attorney will tell you when that is the better route.
Related
Unpaid wages
Unpaid overtime, missed breaks, unpaid travel time, a final cheque that never came.
Family law
Divorce, custody, child support, and protection from an abusive partner.
Discrimination and harassment
Treated differently because of who you are, or harassed and ignored when you reported it.
Related reading
From our archive, on the situations that lead here.
IHSS Provider Immigration Status Rules in California: 2026 Guide
California IHSS providers must have U.S. work authorization — understand the enrollment rules, exceptions, and 2026 developments for immigrant caregivers.
IHSS for Undocumented Californians Faces Budget Pressure
Undocumented Californians receiving IHSS through expanded Medi-Cal face growing uncertainty as state budget pressure and federal enforcement mount in 2026.
This page is general information about how this kind of matter works in the United States, and the rules that matter most here are set state by state — the deadline where you live may be shorter than the general figure given above. It is not legal advice, it is not a substitute for advice about your own situation, and reading it or sending the form does not create an attorney-client relationship. Unified Savers is not a law firm and not a lawyer referral service. Deadlines stated are general rules and exceptions frequently make them shorter. See the disclaimer and privacy policy.