Visas, green cards, citizenship, and deportation defense.
Immigration law in California is one of the most active practice areas in the country, driven by the state's large immigrant population, agricultural and tech-industry workforce, and proximity to international borders. California immigration attorneys handle the full federal toolkit — family-based petitions, employment-based visas (especially H-1B, L-1, O-1, and EB categories common in tech), green-card adjustment, naturalization, asylum and withholding-of-removal claims, U and T visas, DACA-related matters, and removal-defense proceedings before the immigration courts.
Because immigration is a federal practice, attorneys licensed in any U.S. state can represent clients in immigration matters anywhere in California — but most experienced practitioners are physically based here and familiar with local USCIS offices, the San Francisco and Los Angeles immigration courts, and Ninth Circuit appellate practice. When evaluating attorneys, clients commonly weigh experience with their specific case type (e.g., asylum vs. employment-based), language availability, fee structure (flat-fee is common for visa work, hourly for litigation), and reputation in the local immigrant community.
General information only — not legal advice. Consult a licensed California attorney for guidance on your specific situation. Last reviewed 2026-05-18.
USDOJ/Executive Office for Immigration Review
San Diego, California · 9 yrs experience
Eugene Henry Robinson is a Immigration attorney based in San Diego, California. They practice with USDOJ/Executive Office for Immigration Review. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2017, Eugene brings 9 years of legal experience. The office is located at U. S. Immigration Court / Otay Mesa, San Diego, California 92154.
San Diego, California · 2 yrs experience
Sara H. Pagnotta is an attorney in San Diego, California, focusing on Criminal Defense, Family Law, and Immigration. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2024, Sara brings 2 years of legal experience.
Aii Law PC
San Diego, California · 5 yrs experience
Larysa Polunin is a Immigration attorney based in San Diego, California. They practice with Aii Law PC. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2021, Larysa brings 5 years of legal experience. The office is located at 5090 Shoreham Place Suite 102, San Diego, California 92122.
San Diego, California · 37 yrs experience
Gregory L. Simmons is a Immigration attorney based in San Diego, California. Licensed by the Texas bar since 1989, Gregory brings 37 years of legal experience.
San Diego, California · 9 yrs experience
Natalie Lauren Cadwalader-Schultheis is a Immigration attorney based in San Diego, California. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2017, Natalie brings 9 years of legal experience.
The Law Office of Luemara Wagner
San Diego, California · 20 yrs experience
Luemara Aurora Wagner is an attorney in San Diego, California, focusing on Business Law, Family Law, Intellectual Property, and Immigration. They practice with The Law Office of Luemara Wagner. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2006, Luemara brings 20 years of legal experience. The office is located at PO Box 9482, San Diego, California 92169-0482.
San Diego, California · 18 yrs experience
Mary Elizabeth Perez is a criminal defense attorney in San Diego, CA with 18 years of experience.
Law Offices of Goode and Goode LLC
San Diego, California · 24 yrs experience
Robert Goode is an attorney in San Diego, California, focusing on Intellectual Property and Immigration. They practice with Law Offices of Goode and Goode LLC. Licensed by the Texas bar since 2002, Robert brings 24 years of legal experience.