The Best Immigration Attorneys in Bellingham, Washington
Top 3 immigration attorneys in Bellingham, Washington. Rated 4.8/5 stars based on our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system.
Top Immigration Attorneys
Ranked by our comprehensive legal expertise evaluation system
Robert B. Gibbs
Gibbs Houston Pauw
Robert Gibbs is a nationally recognized immigration attorney with over 25 years of experience, consistently rated among the top immigration lawyers in Washington. His firm serves clients throughout Washington state including Bellingham area residents. Gibbs is AV Preeminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2003. He specializes in complex business immigration cases, employment visas, and deportation defense with an exceptional success rate. Clients consistently praise his strategic approach and deep understanding of immigration law nuances.
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Greg McLawsen
Cascadia Cross-Border Law
Greg McLawsen is a Bellingham-based immigration attorney with extensive experience serving Northwest Washington clients. He focuses on family-based immigration, business visas, and cross-border matters with Canada. McLawsen is a frequent lecturer on immigration law and has been recognized by Super Lawyers. His firm has a strong track record of successful visa applications and citizenship cases, with clients highlighting his responsive communication and thorough case preparation. He maintains an active presence in the Bellingham legal community and specializes in complex waiver cases.
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Maria L. Andrade
Andrade Legal
Maria Andrade has over two decades of immigration law experience and serves clients throughout Washington including Bellingham residents. She specializes in family-based petitions, deportation defense, and humanitarian cases including asylum and VAWA applications. Andrade is known for her compassionate approach combined with aggressive legal representation. She has successfully handled numerous complex removal cases and family reunification matters. Clients consistently praise her dedication and ability to navigate challenging immigration scenarios. She maintains an excellent standing with the Washington State Bar Association and various immigrant advocacy organizations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about immigration law services in Bellingham, Washington
What types of immigration cases do Bellingham attorneys commonly handle, given the city's proximity to the Canadian border?
Bellingham immigration attorneys frequently handle cases involving Canadian citizens, cross-border workers, and issues specific to the Blaine and Peace Arch border crossings. Common cases include TN visas for professionals, border entry denials or expedited removals, and complex matters involving inadmissibility waivers for individuals with past violations. Given the significant student population from Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College, attorneys here also have extensive experience with F-1 student visas, OPT applications, and transitioning from student status to work visas.
How can a Bellingham immigration lawyer help me if I'm detained by ICE at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma?
A Bellingham-based immigration attorney can provide immediate legal representation and file urgent motions for bond hearings or release. They are familiar with the procedures at the Northwest Detention Center and can travel to Tacoma for hearings while maintaining a local office for your family's convenience. They can also help gather local evidence of your community ties in Whatcom County, which can be crucial for convincing an immigration judge to grant bond, and navigate the specific court procedures of the Seattle Immigration Court, which has jurisdiction over Bellingham cases.
Are there local resources in Bellingham for immigrants that attorneys often collaborate with?
Yes, Bellingham immigration lawyers frequently work with organizations like the Whatcom Immigrant Legal Network, the Law Advocates' Immigration Clinic, and the Opportunity Council. These partnerships can provide clients with essential support services, such as language assistance, social services, and sometimes pro bono or low-cost legal aid referrals. Attorneys may also coordinate with Western Washington University's student legal services and local community groups that support migrant farmworkers in surrounding Whatcom County areas like Lynden and Sumas.
What should I look for when choosing an immigration attorney in Bellingham, WA?
When selecting an immigration attorney in Bellingham, look for a lawyer who is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and has specific experience with the unique aspects of Northwest immigration, such as border issues and the local agricultural economy. It's also beneficial to choose someone with established relationships with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) field office in Seattle and the immigration court there. Given Bellingham's diverse community, finding an attorney or firm with multilingual staff or connections to reliable interpreters can be crucial for effective communication.
Can a Bellingham attorney help with employment-based visas for jobs in the local seafood, agriculture, or tech industries?
Absolutely. Bellingham immigration attorneys are well-versed in employment-based visas relevant to key local industries. For the seafood and agriculture sectors, they commonly handle H-2A visas for seasonal agricultural workers and H-2B visas for non-agricultural workers, navigating the specific labor certification processes for Whatcom County employers. For the growing tech sector, including companies in Bellingham and nearby communities, they assist with H-1B visas, L-1 intracompany transfers, and O-1 visas for individuals with extraordinary ability, ensuring applications meet the standards of the USCIS California Service Center, which processes many of these petitions.
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About Bellingham, Washington
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