Immigration Attorneys in Chicago, IL

Chicago is home to immigrants from every corner of the world, and a green card delay, work visa issue, or removal notice can upend a family. A licensed immigration attorney serving Chicago will review your case free.

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How we match your Chicago immigration case

When you submit a Chicago immigration matter, we route it through a national network of independent partner firms and put it in front of the one that fits best — based on the kind of case it is, what it is likely to involve, where it has to be handled, and who has capacity to take it on now.

Case type

A immigration matter needs someone who handles immigration work day to day, not a generalist. Practice area is the first filter.

Size and complexity

Some firms are built for catastrophic injury and multi-party litigation; others resolve straightforward claims quickly. We weigh what your matter is likely to involve against how each firm actually works.

Federal jurisdiction

This is federal law, so an attorney does not need to be licensed in Illinois to represent you — but they do need to know how your local office and courts handle these cases.

Capacity and fit

Availability, conflicts of interest and language all matter. If the best-fit firm cannot take your case, we route it to the next one that can — or tell you plainly when no one in the network is the right answer.

Every partner reviews your case for free. Injury and workers’ compensation matters are handled on contingency — no fee unless you win. Other matters are quoted upfront, before you commit to anything.

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DearLegal provides marketing and matching services and is not a law firm. Submitting a case does not create an attorney-client relationship. Matches depend on case type, jurisdiction and firm availability.

Immigration cases in Chicago

More about legal help in Chicago →

Immigration cases for Chicago residents span family petitions, work visas for the city’s universities and businesses, asylum, naturalization, and removal defense, and they are handled by federal agencies and the Chicago immigration court rather than Cook County courts. The city has a large and diverse immigrant population, and Illinois offers state protections and programs regardless of status. Processing times vary, and small errors on applications can cause major setbacks. DearLegal matches you with an Illinois-licensed attorney who handles immigration cases in Chicago, with a free review.

Chicago immigration cases go through federal agencies and the local immigration court, not Cook County courts.
The city’s diverse immigrant communities generate every type of case, from family petitions to removal defense.
Illinois provides some state-level protections and services that apply regardless of immigration status.

Illinois immigration rules at a glance

Chicago cases run under Illinois law. The full walkthrough — timeline, when to call, case types, and what a recovery can include — is on the Illinois page.

Read the full Illinois immigration guide →

Federal Immigration Authority: INA
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. § 1101 et seq. — federal law governs all visas, green cards, asylum, and removal.
Local Immigration Court (EOIR): Chicago Immigration
Chicago Immigration Court (525 W. Van Buren) hears Illinois removal cases.
Local USCIS Field Office: USCIS Chicago
USCIS Chicago Field Office handles Illinois naturalization, adjustment, and asylum interviews.
Driver’s License Policy: SB 957
Illinois SB 957 (Temporary Visitor Driver’s License) and SB 0033 (2023) issue licenses regardless of lawful status. TRUST Act and Way Forward Act limit ICE cooperation.
In-State Tuition Policy: Dream Act
Illinois Dream Act (Public Act 097-0233) and RISE Act extend in-state tuition and state financial aid to undocumented students who graduated from an Illinois high school.
Typical attorney fee: Flat fee
Flat Fee per Petition

Exhibit D

How much do Chicago immigration attorneys cost?

Typical fee schedule

Illinois · Immigration

Fee modelFlat Fee per Petition

Family green card$2,500–$6,000

Naturalization$1,500–$3,000

Asylum$4,000–$8,500

Chicago removal defense$5,500–$12,000+

I-601A waiver$3,000–$5,500

Case reviewFree

Illustrative only. Your fee terms are set in a written agreement with your attorney and may include costs and expenses regardless of outcome.

Immigration matters in Illinois are usually a flat fee per filing — quoted before you commit, not billed by the hour.

Immigration cases are flat-fee, never contingency. USCIS filing fees, biometrics, and translation costs are separate. Reputable attorneys provide written engagement letters.

A good attorney walks through every number at your free consultation — before you sign anything.

Start my free case reviewTakes about two minutes. No obligation.

Exhibit F

Chicago immigration questions, answered

Still unsure? Tell us what happened and a Illinois attorney will review it for free.

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Applications are processed by federal immigration agencies, and removal cases are heard in the immigration court in Chicago. These are separate from Cook County courts. An attorney who regularly appears before the local court and agency offices understands their procedures and timelines.

Yes, and you should act quickly. A notice to appear starts removal proceedings, and missing a hearing can result in an order against you. An attorney reviews your history for possible relief, such as asylum or cancellation of removal, and represents you in court.

Timelines vary with agency workload, often many months from application to oath. An attorney makes sure your application is complete and accurate, prepares you for the interview and test, and addresses any issues in your record that could cause delays or denials.

Family-based, employment-based (Chicago healthcare, biotech, finance, U Chicago, Northwestern, UIC, ag/food), humanitarian (asylum, U/T/VAWA), and the diversity visa lottery. Many Illinois families consular-process with I-601A waivers.

After 5 years as an LPR (3 if married to a USC), file N-400, attend biometrics, and interview at the Chicago Field Office. English/civics testing applies. Chicago processes large volumes.