We checked peer rankings, bar directories, and each firm's own practice pages to find Long Beach's most credible immigration firms. Here are 8 worth a call, with fees, focus, and what to ask.
Updated January 12, 202613 min readEditorially independent
Immigration cases are high-stakes and unforgiving of mistakes, and the lawyer you choose in Long Beach can shape whether you get a green card, become a citizen, or avoid deportation. A wrong form or a missed deadline can set a case back years.
This guide lists Long Beach-area immigration firms with verifiable experience and free consultations, including a State Bar Certified Specialist and former USCIS officers. We cover firms handling family and employment cases, naturalization, and removal defense.
Use this list as a starting point, not a final verdict. Call two or three firms, compare what they tell you, and pick the one that explains your options most clearly. Every firm here offers a free consultation, so a second opinion costs you nothing but an hour of your time.
How we picked these 8: We cross-referenced peer rankings and directories (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Justia, Expertise.com, FindLaw) and each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm below appeared in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area immigration practice. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
1
Law Offices of Brian D. Lerner, APC
Long BeachCertified Specialist30 yrs
Practice focus: Family and employment visas, naturalization, deportation defense
Brian D. Lerner holds the State Bar of California's Certified Specialist designation in Immigration and Nationality Law — one of fewer than 200 attorneys in the state — and brings nearly 30 years of experience to clients nationwide from his Long Beach office.
Why they made the list: A State Bar Certified Specialist is the strongest credential an immigration lawyer can hold in California.
444 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach5.0 Google & YelpFree consult
Practice focus: Family petitions, fiancé visas, waivers, DACA, asylum, removal defense
Located at 444 W Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach, the firm handles family petitions, fiancé visas, immigration waivers, naturalization, deportation defense, DACA, and asylum, with 5.0 ratings on Google and Yelp.
Why they made the list: Top review scores and a downtown office make this a strong, accessible local choice.
Practice focus: Asylum, removal defense, appeals, U and T visas, crim-immigration
Founded in 2017, the firm practices across asylum, removal proceedings, appeals, and U and T visas, with notable experience resolving criminal matters without triggering removal. Andres Ortiz was named to the Super Lawyers list from 2017 to 2019.
Why they made the list: A fit when a criminal issue and an immigration case overlap and have to be solved together.
555 E Ocean Blvd, Long BeachBIA & 9th CircuitFree consult
Practice focus: Removal defense, appeals, complex family and employment cases
From offices at 555 East Ocean Boulevard, the firm has represented clients before USCIS, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in complex immigration matters.
Why they made the list: Appellate experience matters when a denial needs to be challenged at the BIA or Ninth Circuit.
Practice focus: Visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense
An immigration firm with more than two decades of experience handling visas, green cards, naturalization, and deportation defense for people seeking to live and work in the U.S., with free initial consultations.
Why they made the list: A broad, experienced practice covers most family and employment paths under one roof.
Long Beach officeFormer USCIS officersFree consult
Practice focus: Family and employment immigration, naturalization, removal defense
A multi-office California immigration firm with a Long Beach location, several of whose attorneys are former USCIS officers, handling family petitions, employment visas, naturalization, and removal defense.
Why they made the list: Lawyers who once worked inside USCIS understand how the agency reviews and decides a file.
Practice focus: Visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense
An immigration practice serving Long Beach with more than a century of combined experience across visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense for Southern California communities.
Why they made the list: A deep bench is useful for families juggling several petitions at once.
Practice focus: Family-based immigration, naturalization, and waivers
Based at 100 Oceangate in Long Beach, Eileen Shimizu brings 36 years of experience and membership in the American Immigration Lawyers Association to family-based petitions, naturalization, and waivers.
Why they made the list: A long-practicing solo attorney offers continuity and personal handling of a family case.
Tell us what happened. We'll connect you with one of these Long Beach firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
How to choose between them in Long Beach
Confirm the lawyer is licensed and, ideally, certified. Only a licensed attorney — not a notario — should handle your case. In Long Beach, a State Bar Certified Specialist in immigration is the strongest credential.
Match the firm to your matter. Family petitions, employment visas, asylum, and deportation defense are different practices. Pick proven experience in yours.
Ask about removal experience if you are in proceedings. If you are in immigration court, you want a firm that regularly appears there, not one that only files paperwork.
Get fees and timelines in writing. Most immigration work is flat-fee by case type. Confirm the fee, what government filing fees are extra, and a realistic timeline.
Read recent reviews, not just the average. A high star average matters less than what recent clients say. On Google, Avvo, and Yelp, read the newest Long Beach reviews and watch for patterns in how the firm communicates and returns calls.
Trust your read of the consultation. You may work with this person for months. If they talk over you, dodge questions, or rush you at the free meeting, that rarely gets better after you sign.
What immigration help typically costs in Long Beach
Most Long Beach immigration lawyers charge flat fees by case type, separate from the government filing fees paid to USCIS:
Naturalization (citizenship): about $1,000-$2,500. Plus the USCIS filing fee.
Family green card: about $2,000-$5,000. Plus USCIS filing fees, which can total well over $1,000.
Removal (deportation) defense: $5,000-$12,000 or more. Contested court cases sit at the higher end.
Hourly work: about $200-$400. Used for complex or unusual matters instead of a flat fee.
Ask each firm to separate its legal fee from the government filing fees so you can compare quotes accurately.
How long it takes
Immigration timelines depend on the case type and current USCIS and court backlogs, not on your Long Beach lawyer's speed:
Naturalization: about 8-14 months. From filing Form N-400 to the oath ceremony, depending on local backlogs.
Family green card: about 12-36 months. Spouses of citizens are generally faster than other relatives.
Work visas: weeks to several months. Premium processing can speed certain employment petitions.
Removal defense: 1-4 years. Immigration court backlogs make these cases long; deadlines within them are strict.
Red flags to watch for when hiring a immigration lawyer in Long Beach
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a win, a number, or a court ruling, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a named partner at intake, then never hear from them again while an unsupervised junior runs the file. Ask in writing who handles your matter day to day.
Pressure to sign on the spot. Reputable firms give you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a volume-mill signal.
No verifiable track record. Look for named results, peer rankings, board certifications, or bar recognition — not "we have helped thousands of clients."
Vague fees. Every legitimate firm will put the fee structure, what is covered, and what triggers extra charges in a written engagement letter.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most of the firms on this list offer a free or low-cost initial call. Use it. Bring a written list and write down the answers, then compare across two or three firms before you sign anything.
Who, specifically, will handle my matter day to day? Get a name and a direct email, not just the firm.
How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the structure in writing before you sign.
What out-of-pocket costs am I responsible for, and when? Filing fees, records, and experts add up - ask now.
What is the realistic range of outcomes? A good lawyer gives a range; a weak one promises the high end.
How long will this take? An honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
What is my deadline, and is it at risk? Many immigration matters carry hard filing deadlines.
How often will I hear from you? Set the communication cadence now.
What can I do to help my own case? The best lawyers will give you homework.
What is the worst-case outcome? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What to bring to your Long Beach consultation
You will get more out of the first call if you arrive organized. For most immigration matters, gather:
A short written timeline. Dates, names, and what happened, in order.
The key documents. Any contracts, letters, agreements, court orders, or filings you have received.
Your correspondence. Relevant emails, texts, or messages - and do not delete anything.
Any deadlines you know about. A court date, a signing deadline, or an agency notice.
Your questions. The 10 above are a good place to start.
If you are not sure whether something is relevant, bring it anyway. It is easier for a lawyer to set aside what does not matter than to chase down what you left at home.
Talk to a vetted Immigration attorney in Long Beach
Tell us about your situation. We'll match you with one of these firms or a similar one. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions about immigration lawyers in Long Beach
How much does an immigration lawyer cost?
Most charge flat fees: roughly $1,000-$2,500 for naturalization, $2,000-$5,000 for a family green card, and $5,000 or more for removal defense — plus separate USCIS filing fees.
Do I need a lawyer or can I file myself?
Simple cases can be self-filed, but an error can cause years of delay or a denial. A lawyer is strongly advised for green cards, waivers, and anything in immigration court.
What is the difference between a lawyer and a notario?
A notario is not an attorney and cannot legally give immigration advice in the U.S. Always confirm your representative is a licensed attorney or an accredited representative.
How long will my case take?
It depends on the case type and USCIS or court backlogs, not the lawyer. Naturalization often runs 8-14 months; removal cases can take years.
Can a lawyer help if I am in deportation proceedings?
Yes. An experienced removal-defense attorney can pursue relief such as cancellation of removal, asylum, or adjustment of status. Act quickly — court deadlines are strict.
Will a criminal record affect my case?
It can, sometimes severely. A firm experienced in the overlap of criminal and immigration law can help protect your status — raise any record at the first meeting.
How did you choose the firms on this list?
We cross-referenced peer-review directories - Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, Martindale-Hubbell, Expertise.com, and FindLaw - with each firm's own published practice pages. Every firm appears in at least two independent sources and has a verifiable Long Beach-area immigration practice. We take no payment for placement.
Does it cost anything to get matched with a firm?
No. Using this directory and requesting a consultation is free, and the firms here offer free initial reviews. You decide whether to hire anyone, and there is no obligation.
What should I do right after an immigration notice?
Write down what happened while it is fresh, keep every document and message, note any deadlines you have been given, and avoid posting about it online. Then book a free consultation before making decisions you cannot undo.
Can I switch lawyers if I am unhappy?
Usually yes. You are not locked in to the first immigration firm you meet, and you can change counsel if the relationship is not working. Ask any new firm how a mid-case switch would affect your fee and timeline before you move.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many matters like mine have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you a lot. — The LawFirmSquare team
LawFirmSquare is a directory. We do not represent clients or refer cases for a fee.
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