immigration lawyer Dallas TX searches usually start when time feels tight, paperwork feels endless, and the stakes feel personal. You might be sponsoring a spouse, fighting removal, applying for asylum, or trying to keep a job offer alive. In Dallas, the choices are wide, but the risks of picking the wrong fit are real.
This is a local best-of guide style list for Dallas, plus a PDF you can download at the end. You’ll see who each lawyer may be best for, what to ask in a consult, and how to compare fees when firms don’t publish pricing.
Important disclaimers (please read): You’re not getting legal advice here, and this isn’t a law firm website. Immigration outcomes vary by case, facts, timing, and agency decisions. If you see ads on this page, they’re standard site advertising. If you use any affiliate links in the future, you’ll see a clear disclosure, and you’ll never pay extra because of it. Always confirm details with your attorney and official government sources.
How to choose an immigration lawyer in Dallas TX (so you avoid costly mistakes)
Hiring an immigration lawyer Dallas TX is less like buying a service and more like hiring a pilot. You want someone trained for your route, your weather, and your deadlines.
Use this quick checklist before you sign anything:
- Match the lawyer to your case type: family-based petitions, employment visas, humanitarian (asylum, TPS), or deportation defense (immigration court).
- Confirm who handles your case: the attorney, a junior attorney, or mainly staff, and how you’ll reach them.
- Ask about deadlines and documents up front: immigration law is paperwork-heavy and deadline-driven, and a missed deadline can trigger denials or court consequences.
- Get the scope in writing: what’s included, what isn’t, and what triggers extra fees.
- Confirm filing strategy: what forms, what evidence, and what the timeline looks like based on your facts.
This is general information, not legal advice. You should confirm requirements with your lawyer and USCIS. Forms and rules can change.
Signs you are hiring the right immigration lawyer (and red flags to watch for)
A strong immigration lawyer Dallas TX should make you feel informed, not rushed.
Good signs
- You receive a clear written fee agreement before work starts.
- The lawyer explains risks, weak points, and backup options.
- You get realistic timing, including what can slow a case (RFEs, background checks, court resets).
- You’re given an evidence plan (what to gather, how to organize, what to translate).
- Communication works in a language you understand, or they offer interpretation.
Red flags
- “Guaranteed approval” or “special connections.”
- Any request that you lie, hide facts, or submit fake documents.
- Refusal to put fees in writing.
- Poor responsiveness before you hire them (it often gets worse after).
- Pressure to sign immediately.
- Claims they can bribe or “fix” things.
Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative should give legal advice. If someone isn’t qualified, you can pay money and still end up with a damaged case.
What to bring to your first consultation in Dallas
If you want the immigration lawyer Dallas TX consult to be useful, bring facts, not just a story.
Common items include:
- Passport(s) and visas, plus your most recent I-94
- Prior USCIS notices (receipts, RFEs, denials), and any prior filings
- EAD card (work permit) and Social Security card (if you have one)
- Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, birth certificates
- Police records and court records (if any), including dispositions
- Address history and travel history (dates matter)
- For sponsors: recent pay stubs, W-2s, and tax returns
- Any deadline notice, hearing notice, or removal paperwork
Don’t hide prior denials, overstays, or arrests. Your lawyer needs the full picture to protect you.
Best immigration lawyer Dallas TX options (local best-of list)
You’ll see “best immigration lawyer Dallas TX” lists everywhere, but the real “best” depends on your case type. Use the notes below to short-list the right fit, then confirm details directly with each office.
Burgos & Garritson Law (Dallas)
Burgos & Garritson Law handles family immigration, removal defense, employment visas, DACA, asylum, and bonds. They also note serving clients from Ethiopia and many other countries, which can matter when document formats, language support, or community context affects evidence.
Best for: Mixed case types, including court-related needs (removal defense) alongside petitions and humanitarian filings.
Your first call should cover: Your core goal, any deadlines, your immigration history, and whether court representation may be needed. Ask about case strategy, filing timeline, and a tailored evidence list.
Practical fee note: Ask for a written quote after they review your facts, and confirm what’s included (RFEs, interview prep, court appearances). Verify the correct office details on their official site: Burgos & Garritson Law.
Akula & Associates P.C. (business and work visas focus)
Akula & Associates P.C. has 30-plus years of experience and is known for business immigration. Their practice includes employment visas such as O, P, and R categories, and they note a multilingual team. Phone: (844) 299-5003.
Best for: Employers, professionals, religious workers, and creatives who need a work-authorized path with strong documentation.
Your first call should cover: The job role, employer details, timeline, prior immigration history, and whether premium processing is possible or wise.
Practical fee note: Business matters often include government filing fees plus legal fees, and sometimes separate fees for employer compliance steps. Ask for a full estimate in writing, including what happens if USCIS issues an RFE. Official site: Akula & Associates P.C.
McGregor Firm (deportation defense and family immigration in DFW)
McGregor Firm serves Dallas and Fort Worth with a focus that includes deportation defense, family petitions, fiancé visas, asylum, and appeals. If you’re in proceedings, you want a team that’s ready for hearing calendars, filing deadlines, and evidence building under pressure.
Best for: Immigration court cases (removal defense), plus family-based filings that may overlap with prior issues.
Your first call should cover: Your next court date, custody status (detained or not), bond eligibility, and what evidence supports hardship or fear-based claims. Ask who will appear with you in court.
Practical fee note: Removal defense costs can vary widely based on the court stage and the number of hearings. Request a written scope that lists each phase. Official site: McGregor Firm
Yeshi Belay, PLLC (Dallas office, Ethiopian-friendly option to consider)
Yeshi Belay, PLLC lists a Dallas phone number (972-908-5959) and free consults (as listed). If you’re searching for an Ethiopian immigration lawyer in Dallas TX, this may be a good fit if you prefer working with someone familiar with Ethiopian community needs. Don’t assume language coverage, ask directly about languages spoken and interpretation options.
Best for: Clients who value cultural familiarity and clear communication, and who want to confirm consult terms upfront.
Your first call should cover: The exact case type (family, asylum, TPS, removal), deadlines, and what the free consult includes.
Practical fee note: Confirm consult terms in writing, and ask what’s included in any flat fee (forms, translations, interview prep, follow-ups).
Fees, timelines, and common questions for a Dallas immigration lawyer consultation
When you hire an immigration lawyer Dallas TX, your total cost usually has three layers:
- Attorney fees (flat, phased, or hourly)
- Government filing fees (paid to USCIS or other agencies)
- Extra case costs (translations, medical exams, travel, postage, records)
Get a written fee agreement that states what’s included, what’s extra, refund policy, and who handles your case day to day. This is general information, not legal advice. Always confirm current fees and processing times with USCIS and your attorney.
Questions to ask before you hire (copy and paste list)
- What immigration options fit my facts right now?
- What are the biggest risks in my case?
- What’s your plan, step by step, and why?
- What documents and evidence do you need from me first?
- What deadlines apply, and what happens if we miss one?
- Who will work on my case, and who signs filings?
- How will you update me, and how often?
- What timeline do you expect, and what delays are common?
- What fees are included in your quote?
- What triggers extra fees (RFEs, motions, extra interviews, court hearings)?
- If USCIS issues an RFE, what is your process and turnaround time?
- Will you prepare me for the interview, and will you attend if allowed?
- If my case goes to immigration court, will you represent me, or refer out?
- For Ethiopian clients (if relevant): Do you have experience with Ethiopian passports, civil documents, or country-conditions evidence for asylum or TPS?
Trusted official resources to double check information
For any immigration lawyer Dallas TX case, verify the basics on official sites, and never pay for unofficial form downloads.
- USCIS filing fees: USCIS Filing Fees
- USCIS processing times: USCIS Processing Times
- TPS updates: USCIS Temporary Protected Status
- Ethiopia TPS page (dates can change): TPS Designated Country: Ethiopia
- Immigration court case information: EOIR Automated Case Information
Conclusion
The right immigration lawyer Dallas TX choice depends on your case type, your timeline, and whether court is involved. Book 2 to 3 consultations, compare written scopes, and compare total costs, not just a headline fee. Pick the lawyer who explains a clear plan and puts it in writing.
Download the full ranking PDF to keep everything in one place (selection checklist, consult questions, and a quick comparison table). This article is not legal advice. Verify details with your lawyer and official government sources, and if you have a deadline or court date, get help fast.









