Cleveland Office
408 West Saint Clair Avenue, Suite 230Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Cleveland immigration lawyers, directions, reviews and local resources →
Serving immigrants across Ohio since 1995
Ohio Immigration Lawyers
Cleveland roots. Statewide representation. A clear strategy for what comes next.
Herman Legal Group is an Ohio immigration law firm serving individuals, families and employers statewide in family immigration, work visas, green cards, citizenship, waivers and removal defense. Founded by Richard T. Herman in Cleveland in 1995, HLG offers consultations through its Cleveland and Worthington offices, with remote options available.
Founded in Ohio in 1995
30+ Years of Immigration Practice
Two Physical Ohio Offices
Statewide Representation
Richard T. Herman’s Professional Recognition
These recognitions relate to Richard T. Herman individually. Selection years and criteria vary; recognition does not guarantee a result. Review Richard Herman’s credentials and recognition details.
Meet the founder
Richard T. Herman: Rooted in Cleveland. Serving All of Ohio.
More than 30 years of immigration practice, with a focus on the people and decisions behind each case.
Richard founded Herman Legal Group in Cleveland in 1995. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University School of Law and coauthor of Immigrant, Inc., he brings an Ohio perspective to work involving families, careers, businesses and the right to remain in the United States.
The firm’s Cleveland headquarters connects that local experience with statewide representation. Richard and the HLG team evaluate the full immigration history, explain risks and develop a strategy suited to the individual matter.
Please mention Richard when booking. Scheduling and the attorney assigned depend on availability and the matter.
Statewide counsel
An Ohio Immigration Law Firm for High-Consequence Decisions
Immigration law is primarily federal, but choosing an Ohio immigration lawyer can provide local accessibility and accountability. HLG combines more than three decades of immigration practice with two genuine Ohio locations and the ability to represent clients before federal immigration agencies and courts.
The central question is rarely just which form to file. A marriage case may turn on a prior entry. A citizenship application may expose an issue from years earlier. An employment strategy may require coordinating immigration timing with a business decision. We examine the complete history, identify risk before filing and build a practical plan for what comes next.
Our work spans family-based petitions, employment visas, citizenship, waivers, removal defense and appeals. We consider how each decision could affect your family, work, status and ability to travel—not simply whether an application can be submitted.
Local access, statewide reach
Two Physical Ohio Offices. Statewide Representation.
HLG meets clients at its Cleveland headquarters and Columbus-area office in Worthington. Remote consultations are also available when appropriate. The other Ohio communities listed on this page are service areas, not additional HLG offices.
Cleveland, Ohio 44113
Columbus / Worthington Office
6660 North High Street, Suite 3EWorthington, Ohio 43085
Columbus immigration lawyers, directions, reviews and local resources →
Why individual facts matter
Two Different Family-Based Green Card Paths
These separate HLG matters illustrate why a green card strategy must be built around the individual record. Names and identifying details are omitted.
Adjustment After a Parole Entry
A client who had held Temporary Protected Status and lived in the United States for many years obtained permanent residence through an adult U.S. citizen child after entering with parole.
Practice insight: The family relationship and the precise record of entry must be analyzed together when assessing adjustment of status.
Spousal Petition, Waiver and Consular Processing
In another matter, a U.S. citizen spouse’s I-130 petition was approved before the client obtained an I-601A provisional unlawful-presence waiver, completed National Visa Center processing and attended a consular interview.
Practice insight: The petition, waiver and immigrant-visa decision are distinct stages. An approved waiver does not guarantee visa issuance.
Case summaries supplied by Richard T. Herman. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; every case depends on its own facts and law.
Immigration services
Immigration Services We Provide Throughout Ohio
Choose the subject closest to your legal needs. One immigration case can involve several issues, so an initial consultation should clarify eligibility, risks, timing, evidence and possible backup strategies.
Family-Based Immigration & Marriage Green Cards
I-130 family petitions, adjustment of status, consular processing, fiancé visas, marriage cases and difficult histories involving overstays, prior filings or removal proceedings.
Employment-Based Immigration
H-1B, L-1 and O-1 work visas; PERM labor certification; I-140 petitions; EB-1 cases; EB-2 National Interest Waivers; and employer immigration planning.
Citizenship & Naturalization
N-400 preparation and risk review involving travel, taxes, good moral character, Selective Service, voter registration and the history of permanent residence.
Removal & Deportation Defense
Immigration court representation, motions, bond and custody issues, cancellation, asylum, adjustment, waivers, prior orders and appeals to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Immigration Waivers
Analysis of unlawful presence, prior removal, fraud or misrepresentation allegations, certain criminal conduct, hardship evidence and potential I-601, I-601A or I-212 strategies.
International Students
F-1 and M-1 status, OPT, CPT, changes of status, employment transitions, SEVIS issues and longer-term planning from school to work authorization or a green card.
Investors & Entrepreneurs
E-2 treaty-investor matters and immigration strategies for founders, investors and international businesses building operations or creating jobs in Ohio and the United States.
Asylum & Humanitarian Immigration
Asylum-related strategy and selected humanitarian matters where protection, family safety, work authorization, status and the risk of enforcement may intersect.
Complex Immigration Matters
Prior denials, inconsistent applications, unlawful presence, criminal history, agency delay, immigration appeals and cases that do not fit a simple checklist.
Across the state
Major Ohio Cities and Communities We Serve
From Northeast Ohio to the Miami Valley, HLG represents clients across the state. Our physical offices are in Cleveland and Columbus/Worthington. The other cities below are service areas, with consultations and representation arranged according to the matter.
HLG headquarters and Greater Cleveland representation.
Central Ohio, with our office in Worthington.
Southwest Ohio service area.
Family and employment immigration, removal defense, and appointment guidance for Northwest Ohio.
Summit and Stark County communities.
The Miami Valley and surrounding communities.
We also serve Youngstown and Mahoning Valley immigration clients, Parma, Lorain, Hamilton, Springfield, Dublin and communities throughout Ohio. Explore the available city guides below.
Cleveland and Columbus/Worthington are HLG’s physical Ohio office locations. All other communities above are service areas.
Federal system, Ohio logistics
Which Federal Agency Handles Your Immigration Matter?
There is generally no separate Ohio law governing visas, green cards, naturalization or deportation. The federal agency and procedural posture determine the immigration process, while your location may affect interviews, hearings and local logistics.
USCIS
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services decides many petitions and applications for immigration benefits, including adjustment of status, naturalization and employment authorization.
Department of State
U.S. embassies and consulates abroad conduct visa processing. The National Visa Center coordinates many immigrant-visa cases before the consular interview.
Immigration Court / EOIR
The immigration courts within the Department of Justice handle removal proceedings and certain applications for relief. The Board of Immigration Appeals reviews many immigration-court appeals.
CBP and ICE
Customs and Border Protection handles admission and inspection, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement is involved in enforcement, detention and removal matters.
Interviews and benefits appointments
USCIS Offices in Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati
USCIS benefits offices are separate from immigration court and ICE. An office location is not necessarily the correct address for mailing an application. Use the location on your appointment notice, which may be a different site for biometrics or another service.
For Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati appointments, confirm the current office address through the USCIS field-office locator and your individual appointment notice. The office handling your case depends on USCIS jurisdiction and the type of appointment; the nearest office is not necessarily the assigned office.
Before traveling: Field offices do not accept walk-ins. Check your notice and the official USCIS field-office locator. Application Support Centers handle services such as biometrics and may have a separate address or room number. For case-specific timing, use the USCIS processing-times tool.
Check-ins and detention resources
ICE Offices and Detention Facilities in Ohio
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) handles immigration enforcement, supervision and check-ins. An ICE reporting appointment is not a USCIS benefits interview or an immigration-court hearing. Follow the location, date and reporting instructions on your notice, and discuss case-specific concerns with your attorney.
ICE ERO Check-In Locations
| Service area | Office address | Official listing |
|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | 925 Keynote Circle Brooklyn Heights, OH 44131 | Cleveland ICE check-in office 216-749-9200 |
| Columbus | 675 Brooksedge Boulevard Westerville, OH 43081 | Columbus ICE check-in office 614-948-4100 |
| Cincinnati | 9875 Redhill Drive Blue Ash, OH 45242 | Cincinnati ICE check-in office 513-246-1471 |
Ohio Detention Facilities Listed by ICE
The following county jails and correctional facilities appear in ICE’s detention directory. This is a reference list, not a complete inventory of active contracts or a guarantee of where a particular person is held.
| Facility and official ICE resource | Address |
|---|---|
| Geauga County Safety Center | 12450 Merritt Road Chardon, OH 44024 |
| Seneca County Jail | 3040 South State Route 100 Tiffin, OH 44883 |
| Butler County Sheriff’s Office / Corrections Center | 705 Hanover Street Hamilton, OH 45011 |
| Northeast Ohio Correctional Center | 2240 Hubbard Road Youngstown, OH 44505 |
| Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio (CCNO) | 03151 County Road 24.2 Stryker, OH 43557 |
| Mahoning County Justice Center | 110 Fifth Avenue Youngstown, OH 44503 |
If someone you love has been detained: Begin with the ICE Online Detainee Locator and contact immigration counsel. Confirm the person’s current location and the facility’s visitation instructions before traveling. Transfers, facility participation and visiting arrangements can change.
Government offices and detention facilities above are not HLG offices. Check the linked agency resources and your individual notices for current instructions.
Strategy before filing
How Our Ohio Immigration Lawyers Analyze a Case
Some of the most important legal work happens before an application is filed. An experienced immigration lawyer should understand the whole immigration journey—not only the requested benefit. Depending on the matter, our review may ask:
- Is the person legally eligible for the requested benefit?
- How do prior entries, departures and periods of status affect the case?
- Was there an overstay, unauthorized employment or other status violation?
- Is there a prior removal order, missed hearing or immigration-court history?
- Could unlawful presence create a three- or ten-year bar?
- Could an arrest, conviction or dismissed charge have immigration consequences?
- Are past applications and statements consistent with the proposed filing?
- Could filing expose a separate immigration problem?
- What evidence will the agency expect, and what is missing?
- What is the backup strategy if the government disagrees?
When criminal history is involved, immigration advice may need to be coordinated with qualified criminal defense counsel. The criminal disposition and the immigration consequence are separate questions, and a seemingly minor offense can require careful analysis.
Prepare for a useful first meeting
What to Expect From an Immigration Consultation
A consultation should do more than repeat information available online. It is an opportunity to explain your goals, immigration status and complete history; identify facts that may change the legal analysis; and decide whether HLG is the right law firm for the matter. The attorney may review available records, ask detailed questions, explain the likely immigration process and identify documents that are still needed.
Bring copies of passports, visas, I-94 records, green cards, employment authorization documents, prior petitions and applications, USCIS or consular notices, and any immigration court papers. If there have been arrests, criminal charges, prior marriages, earlier sponsorship cases, long trips outside the United States or contact with immigration enforcement, bring the related records and do not leave those facts out. A dated timeline of important events can make the meeting more productive.
Some legal services can be scoped after one meeting; complex immigration matters may require additional records or research before a reliable recommendation is possible. A responsible lawyer should be clear about what is known, what remains uncertain, the principal risks and the limits of any prediction.
Choosing counsel
How to Choose an Immigration Lawyer in Ohio
Local proximity does not increase the legal chance of approval, and no ethical immigration attorney can guarantee success. An Ohio-based law firm can still offer meaningful advantages: genuine local offices, in-person meeting options, familiarity with regional agency logistics and accountability to the communities it serves.
Before hiring, confirm that the person is a licensed attorney in good standing, ask about experience with your specific type of immigration case, understand who will communicate with you, and obtain a written agreement explaining the scope and fee arrangement. Avoid anyone who promises a result or tells you to hide facts. Immigration consultants and “notarios” are not authorized to provide legal advice unless they are otherwise qualified under federal rules.
Read HLG’s complete guide to finding and choosing the right U.S. immigration lawyer.
Your legal team
Meet the Immigration Attorneys Serving Ohio
HLG’s attorneys collaborate across offices and practice areas. The lawyer best suited to a matter depends on the legal issue, location, schedule and scope of representation.
Richard T. Herman
Founder · Cleveland
More than 30 years of immigration practice
Luis C. Villarroel
Worthington Office Lead
Central Ohio immigration counsel
Vania Stefanova
Head, Immigration Litigation Division
Removal defense and appeals
Tameem Ansari
Immigration Lawyer
Cleveland State University graduate
Ruijie Zhang
Of Counsel
Employment visas and green cards
Ohio immigration lawyer FAQs
Ohio Immigration Lawyer FAQs
What does an Ohio immigration lawyer do?
An Ohio immigration lawyer advises and represents individuals, families and employers in federal immigration matters. Work may include assessing eligibility, identifying legal risks, preparing petitions and applications, developing evidence, preparing for interviews, appearing in immigration court and handling certain appeals.
Is immigration law different in Ohio?
Visas, green cards, naturalization and removal proceedings are governed primarily by federal law. Ohio location can still affect practical issues such as where an interview or hearing occurs, access to in-person counsel and related state-law questions.
Where does Herman Legal Group have offices in Ohio?
HLG has a Cleveland headquarters at 408 West Saint Clair Avenue, Suite 230, and a Columbus-area office at 6660 North High Street, Suite 3E, in Worthington. Other cities listed on this page are service areas, not HLG offices.
Does HLG represent clients outside Cleveland and Columbus?
Yes. HLG serves clients throughout Ohio, across the United States and internationally when the matter and applicable representation rules permit. In-person and remote consultation options depend on the case and attorney availability.
Where is the immigration court in Ohio?
EOIR currently lists the Cleveland Immigration Court at 801 West Superior Avenue, Suite 13-100, Cleveland, Ohio 44113. Always rely on your hearing notice and verify current court information before traveling.
Can an Ohio immigration lawyer represent me if I live in another state?
Often, yes. Because immigration law is federal, qualified immigration attorneys frequently represent clients outside the state where the firm is located, subject to the rules of the agency, court and particular matter.
How much does an immigration lawyer in Ohio cost?
Fees depend on the type and complexity of the case, the work required and whether the firm offers representation for that matter. After evaluating the case, the lawyer should explain the anticipated scope and fee arrangement before an engagement begins.
Should I speak with an attorney before filing with USCIS?
Legal review can be especially important when there is a prior denial, overstay, unauthorized employment, arrest, immigration-court history, prior removal, inconsistent filing or possible inadmissibility issue. Filing can sometimes expose a problem as well as seek a benefit.
What should I bring to an immigration consultation?
Bring your passport, visa and I-94 record; green card if applicable; prior applications; USCIS, consular or court notices; and records concerning entries, departures, arrests, prior marriages and other facts that could affect eligibility. A simple timeline is often helpful.
Can an immigration attorney guarantee approval?
No. A lawyer can evaluate eligibility, identify risks, prepare evidence and legal arguments and advocate for the client, but USCIS, the Department of State or the immigration court makes the decision. Past results do not guarantee a future outcome.
Start with the right question
Speak With an Ohio Immigration Attorney
Immigration decisions can affect where you live, whether your family stays together, and your ability to work, travel or build a future. Let’s identify the strongest next step for your situation.
Richard T. Herman, Esq. · Founder, Herman Legal Group · More than 30 years of immigration practice
Page updated September 8, 2026.
General information, not individualized legal advice. An attorney-client relationship requires an engagement agreement.