The Best Immigration Attorneys in Berkeley, California
Top 3 immigration attorneys in Berkeley, California. Rated 4.8/5 stars based on our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system.
Top Immigration Attorneys
Ranked by our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system
Centro Legal de la Raza - Immigration Unit
Centro Legal de la Raza
Centro Legal de la Raza operates one of the most respected immigration legal services programs in the East Bay, serving Berkeley and surrounding communities for over five decades. Their immigration unit specializes in complex removal defense, asylum cases, and family-based petitions with exceptional success rates. The organization maintains a team of dedicated immigration attorneys and accredited representatives who provide comprehensive legal representation to immigrants. They have particular expertise in serving vulnerable populations and have successfully handled thousands of immigration cases with outstanding client satisfaction and case outcomes.
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Lina Baroudi
Law Office of Lina Baroudi
Lina Baroudi is a highly-regarded immigration attorney with extensive experience serving Berkeley and Bay Area clients. She specializes in both family-based and employment-based immigration matters, with particular expertise in complex visa petitions, adjustment of status, and removal defense. Her practice is known for meticulous case preparation and personalized client service. With numerous successful asylum cases and family petitions, she maintains an excellent track record with USCIS and immigration courts. Clients consistently praise her responsiveness, legal expertise, and successful case outcomes across various immigration matters.
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Van Der Hout LLP
Van Der Hout LLP
Van Der Hout LLP is one of the most prestigious immigration law firms in Northern California, serving Berkeley clients with exceptional expertise across all immigration practice areas. The firm has extensive experience with complex business immigration, employment visas, and deportation defense cases. Their attorneys include former immigration judges and nationally-recognized experts in immigration law. The firm has successfully handled thousands of cases with outstanding approval rates and is particularly noted for their appellate work and complex litigation before immigration courts and federal courts. They maintain the highest bar standing and are consistently ranked among the top immigration firms in California.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about immigration law services in Berkeley, California
What types of immigration cases do Berkeley attorneys commonly handle, given the city's demographics and proximity to UC Berkeley?
Berkeley immigration attorneys frequently handle student and scholar visas (F-1, J-1), H-1B specialty occupation visas for professionals, family-based petitions, asylum applications, and DACA renewals. Given UC Berkeley's large international student and faculty population, many local firms have particular expertise in academic-related immigration matters. Additionally, Berkeley's sanctuary city status means many attorneys are experienced with removal defense and cases involving vulnerable populations.
How can I find affordable or pro bono immigration legal services in Berkeley?
Several organizations in Berkeley provide low-cost or free immigration services, including the East Bay Community Law Center's Immigration Clinic and the UC Berkeley School of Law's immigration practicum. The City of Berkeley's Office of Immigrant Affairs also maintains a list of trusted legal service providers. Many private attorneys in Berkeley offer sliding scale fees or payment plans, particularly for students, asylum seekers, and DACA recipients.
Are there specific immigration benefits or protections available to Berkeley residents that aren't available elsewhere in California?
Yes, Berkeley has additional local protections including the Berkeley Sanctuary Ordinance, which limits local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The city also offers municipal ID cards that can help undocumented residents access local services. Berkeley's status as a 'Rapid Response' city means there are established networks to provide immediate legal support during immigration enforcement actions in the community.
What should I look for when choosing an immigration attorney in Berkeley?
Look for attorneys who are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and have specific experience with your type of case. Given Berkeley's unique academic environment, you may want an attorney familiar with university-related immigration issues if you're affiliated with UC Berkeley. Check reviews and consult with the Alameda County Bar Association's lawyer referral service. It's also important to find someone who speaks your language if needed, as Berkeley has many bilingual legal professionals.
How does Berkeley's location in the San Francisco Bay Area affect immigration case processing?
Berkeley falls under the jurisdiction of the San Francisco USCIS Field Office and the San Francisco Asylum Office, which generally have different processing times and procedures than other regions. Being in the Bay Area means you have access to multiple immigration courts, including San Francisco's, which handles cases for this region. The proximity to these federal offices allows for easier in-person appointments and hearings, though Bay Area immigration courts often have significant backlogs that can affect case timelines.
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