Facing an immigration issue? Start here.
New Orleans sits inside the Fifth Circuit and is home to one of only a few immigration courts in the Gulf South, which means removal cases from across the region funnel here. Whether you're applying for a green card, fighting deportation, or seeking asylum, the right lawyer knows this court and these deadlines.
We verified the New Orleans immigration firms below through Super Lawyers, Avvo, Justia, and AILA membership. We confirmed seven firms by at least two independent sources and list those rather than padding the count.
How we picked these 7: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Avvo, Martindale), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
Practice focus: Family and employment immigration, deportation defense, asylum
A New Orleans immigration boutique whose attorneys have over a decade of experience across all areas of immigration law, with strong reviews for responsiveness and clear communication.
Practice focus: Family immigration, work visas, deportation defense, asylum, naturalization
A CBD immigration firm handling the full range of family, employment, and humanitarian matters, with bilingual staff and a record of guiding clients through complex USCIS and court processes.
Practice focus: Federal immigration litigation, green cards, naturalization, mandamus
Michael W. Gahagan is a highly rated immigration lawyer known for litigating against federal agencies in immigration court and federal district court when cases stall or are wrongly denied.
Practice focus: Employment-based immigration, PERM labor certification, family visas
Serving immigrants and employers since 1982, Ware Immigration handles individual and business cases — permanent residency, citizenship, work visas, and employer compliance — across the country from its New Orleans-area base.
Practice focus: Family immigration, employment visas, deportation defense, asylum
A New Orleans immigration practice focused on family-based petitions, employment visas, removal defense, and asylum, with attentive, individualized client service.
Practice focus: Immigration law exclusively — visas, green cards, citizenship, employer compliance
A New Orleans firm that has handled immigration law exclusively for more than 20 years, representing both immigrants and employers throughout the United States.
Practice focus: Family and employment visas, green cards, deportation defense
A New Orleans immigration practice handling family and employment petitions, adjustment of status, and removal defense, with bilingual client service.
Tell us about your immigration situation and we'll match you with experienced New Orleans immigration attorneys. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →Immigration work splits into two broad lanes. Applications (green cards, work visas, citizenship) move through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on government timelines that can run months to years depending on the category. Removal (deportation) cases move through the New Orleans Immigration Court, where missing a single hearing can result in an order of removal in your absence.
Application timelines are largely set by USCIS, not your lawyer — a marriage green card might take 10 to 20 months, while some employment categories run longer because of visa backlogs. A good lawyer can't speed up the government, but can keep your case from stalling over a paperwork error.
Removal cases are different: they're adversarial, with a government attorney on the other side, and the stakes are your ability to stay in the country. If you're in removal proceedings, hire a lawyer who appears in immigration court regularly.
Most immigration work is billed as a flat fee per service. Common New Orleans ranges: a family green card case often runs $2,500 to $6,000 in attorney fees; naturalization (citizenship) $1,200 to $2,500; and asylum or removal defense $4,000 to $10,000 or more depending on complexity. Government filing fees are separate and paid to USCIS.
Ask exactly what the flat fee covers — preparing and filing the petition, responding to a Request for Evidence, and attending the interview should be spelled out. Appeals and unexpected complications are often quoted separately.
Cheaper isn't always better here. An error or a missed deadline in immigration can cost you years or your eligibility entirely, so experience in your specific category matters more than the lowest quote.
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can promise a specific result. If a firm guarantees a immigration outcome before reviewing your file, walk away.
The disappearing senior partner. You meet a name partner at intake, then never speak to them again while a junior runs the file unsupervised. Ask in writing who your day-to-day lawyer will be.
“Notarios” and non-lawyers. In many countries a notario is a trained legal professional; in the U.S. a notary is not. Only a licensed attorney or an accredited representative can give immigration legal advice. Unlicensed “consultants” have ruined countless cases — verify a bar license.
Pressure to sign immediately. A reputable firm gives you the engagement letter in writing and time to read it. High-pressure intake is a sign of a volume mill, not a careful practice.
Vague fee terms. “Don't worry about the cost” is a red flag. Every legitimate firm puts the fee, what it covers, and what triggers extra charges in writing.
Most immigration firms offer a consultation. Bring your documents and any prior filings, and ask these before you hire.
The New Orleans Immigration Court covers a wide region. Because immigration courts are scarce in the Gulf South, removal cases from across Louisiana and neighboring states are heard here. A lawyer who practices in this court knows its judges and its scheduling realities.
The Fifth Circuit shapes the law. Appeals from New Orleans immigration decisions run through the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has its own body of immigration case law. Local counsel argues within that framework.
Detention adds urgency. The region has ICE detention facilities, and a detained case moves on a faster, harsher clock than a non-detained one. If a family member is detained, time is critical — call a lawyer immediately.
Tell us what happened. We'll match you with vetted New Orleans firms from the list above. Most respond within one business day.
It depends on the category. A marriage-based green card often runs 10–20 months; some employment categories take longer because of visa backlogs. Your lawyer can't speed up USCIS but can prevent delays from errors.
Flat fees are typical: roughly $2,500–$6,000 for a family green card, $1,200–$2,500 for citizenship, and $4,000–$10,000+ for asylum or removal defense. USCIS filing fees are separate.
Hire a lawyer who regularly appears in the New Orleans Immigration Court, and never miss a hearing — an absence can lead to a removal order against you. Act quickly; some forms of relief have deadlines.
No. In the U.S., only a licensed attorney or a federally accredited representative can give immigration legal advice. Unlicensed “notarios” cannot represent you and can damage your case.
Call an immigration lawyer right away. Detained cases move much faster, and a bond hearing or relief application may be time-sensitive. The firms above can advise on next steps.
Not always, but a lawyer is worth it if you have any criminal history, long absences from the U.S., or prior immigration issues — small problems can derail a naturalization application.
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine — with my visa category and timeline — have you handled in the last three years? The answer tells you most of what you need to know. — The LawFirmSquare team