Fort Worth · TX · Vetted Directory

Top Immigration Lawyers in Fort Worth

Fort Worth and Tarrant County sit inside one of the busiest immigration regions in the country. The USCIS field office serving the Metroplex is in Irving, removal cases are heard at the Dallas Immigration Court, and ICE enforcement is active across North Texas. Below: vetted Fort Worth immigration firms handling family petitions, naturalization, work visas, asylum, and removal defense.

5
Vetted Firms
USCIS
DFW Field Office
Dallas
EOIR Court
Free
First Consultation

Updated May 28, 2026

When you need a Fort Worth immigration lawyer

Immigration matters are deadline-driven and one-shot. Hire counsel before filing, not after a denial, any time:

  • You are filing a family-based green card (I-130 / I-485) and either spouse has a prior immigration issue, arrest, or overstay.
  • You want to naturalize (N-400) and have any criminal record, even old or dismissed.
  • You were the victim of a qualifying crime in Texas and may qualify for a U visa or VAWA self-petition.
  • You are in or facing removal proceedings at the Dallas Immigration Court.
  • You received a Notice to Appear from ICE or were detained, since North Texas has several detention facilities.
  • You are filing for asylum and the one-year deadline is approaching.
  • You are an employer needing H-1B, L-1, O-1, or PERM-based sponsorship.

Removal cases for Fort Worth residents are docketed at the Dallas Immigration Court, and detained cases (often held at facilities like Prairieland in Alvarado) move on a much faster, harsher timeline. Lawyers who appear at that court regularly know its judges and pace.

What this typically costs in Fort Worth

Most Fort Worth immigration firms charge flat fees by case type:

$1,500-$3,500
N-400 naturalization
$3,500-$8,000
Family green card
$4,500-$10,000
U visa / VAWA
$6,500-$15,000+
Removal / asylum

Add USCIS filing fees (currently about $760 for N-400 and $1,440 for I-485 with biometrics, verify on uscis.gov). Detained removal cases run higher than non-detained. Several Fort Worth firms offer payment plans, and non-profits such as Catholic Charities Fort Worth and RAICES handle qualifying low-income cases.

How long a Fort Worth immigration case takes

Timelines depend on case type and current USCIS or EOIR backlog:

  • Naturalization (N-400): roughly 8-14 months through the DFW field office.
  • Family green card (concurrent I-130/I-485): 12-24 months for spouses of U.S. citizens.
  • U visa: 5-7 years due to the annual cap (work authorization may come earlier on a bona fide determination).
  • Affirmative asylum: 24-60+ months to interview.
  • Removal proceedings (Dallas court): 18-36 months non-detained; detained cases resolve in weeks to a few months.

Backlogs shift constantly. A good lawyer quotes you a range from current USCIS and EOIR data, not old figures. For a national overview, see our immigration guide, or browse all Fort Worth lawyers.

Fort Worth firms that handle immigration

1

Chavez & Valko LLP

Fort Worth (Dallas headquarters)Founded 2002Mid-sizeFamily immigration, naturalization, deportation defense, employment-based green cards

Nicolas Chavez is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Track record of successful immigration litigation in various forums. Bilingual practice serving Tarrant and Dallas counties.

Flat / Hourly
2

The Meza Law Firm, PLLC

Fort WorthFounded 2010sBoutiqueFamily immigration, DACA, deportation defense, asylum

Edwardo Rene Meza is bilingual Spanish-English and the son of an immigrant from Mexico. Strong reviews from the Fort Worth Hispanic community. Direct attorney communication on every case.

Flat / Hourly
3

Law Office of Shelley Hennessee

Fort WorthFounded 2006SoloFamily-based immigration, deportation defense, naturalization, adjustment of status

Shelley Hennessee is Board Certified in Immigration and Nationality Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Practicing family immigration and deportation defense since 2006. Sole-practitioner attention.

Flat / Hourly
4

Bailey & Galyen Attorneys at Law

1300 Summit Ave., Suite 660, Fort Worth, TXFounded 1980sLargeFamily immigration, green cards, naturalization, deportation defense

Multi-office Texas firm with a dedicated Fort Worth immigration team. Has helped thousands of Tarrant County families achieve legal status, defend against deportation, and complete naturalization. Bilingual intake.

Flat / Hourly
5

Andrew T. Thomas Immigration Law

Fort WorthFounded 2000sBoutiqueFamily immigration, deportation defense, employment visas

Andrew Thomas, founder, named one of the Immigration Law 10 Best Attorneys in Texas by the American Institute of Legal Counsel. Boutique practice with direct attorney access.

Flat / Hourly

See the full ranked write-up in our Top 10 immigration lawyers in Fort Worth guide. Firm details are gathered from public sources; ratings not shown are not yet aggregated.

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Immigration in Fort Worth — FAQ

How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Fort Worth?
Most firms charge flat fees: N-400 naturalization $1,500-$3,500; family green card (I-130/I-485) $3,500-$8,000; U visa or VAWA $4,500-$10,000; removal defense or asylum $6,500-$15,000+. Add USCIS filing fees (about $760 for N-400, $1,440 for I-485 with biometrics, verify on uscis.gov). Non-profits serve qualifying low-income clients.
Where is immigration court for Fort Worth residents?
Removal cases are heard at the Dallas Immigration Court (EOIR). There is no separate immigration court in Fort Worth. Detained cases are often handled at facilities in North Texas and move on a much faster timeline, so getting a lawyer immediately is critical.
Where is the USCIS field office for Fort Worth?
The USCIS field office serving the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is in Irving. It handles naturalization interviews, adjustment-of-status interviews, and biometrics for the area. Your appointment notice lists the exact address and time.
Can I represent myself in immigration court?
You can, but it is rarely wise. Immigration court is adversarial, with a government attorney arguing for your removal. Unlike criminal court, there is no right to a free lawyer, so many people appear unrepresented and lose cases they might have won. At minimum, get a consultation before any hearing.
What is cancellation of removal?
It is a defense that lets certain long-term residents stay if they meet strict requirements. For non-permanent residents, generally 10 years of continuous presence, good moral character, and proof that removal would cause exceptional and extremely unusual hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent-resident spouse, parent, or child. It is complex and fact-specific, so do not attempt it without counsel.
Can I become a citizen if I have a criminal record?
Possibly, but it depends on the offense and timing. USCIS reviews good moral character for the past five years (three if married to a citizen), and some convictions are permanent bars. Never file an N-400 with any record without having an immigration lawyer review it first.

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