New Orleans has long been one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant cities in the United States, and that diversity is strengthened every day by the contributions of immigrants and their families. Yet behind the city’s energy and opportunity lies one of the most complex immigration environments in the country. From asylum seekers and DACA recipients to families pursuing green cards or workers applying for visas, countless individuals in New Orleans face legal challenges that require experience, precision, and compassion.

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, our attorneys are proud to represent clients across New Orleans and throughout Louisiana in every area of immigration law. Whether you are applying for permanent residency, defending against deportation, or pursuing U.S. citizenship, our team provides the guidance you need to move forward with confidence.

We understand that immigration law isn’t just about paperwork or procedure. It’s about protecting people, families, and futures. With decades of combined experience, our firm stands by individuals, families, and businesses at every stage of the immigration process. From filing your first petition to representing you before immigration courts and federal appeals panels, we are here to make sure your rights and opportunities are fully protected.

Immigration Challenges in New Orleans

New Orleans is a central hub for immigration activity in the Gulf South, home to thousands of immigrants who contribute to the region’s workforce, universities, and cultural life. However, it is also one of the most legally active regions for immigration enforcement and court proceedings. The New Orleans Immigration Court, combined with Louisiana’s nearby ICE detention centers in Oakdale and Jena, processes thousands of cases each year, ranging from asylum applications to deportation hearings and appeals.

For individuals and families navigating these systems, the stakes are incredibly high. A single missed deadline, incomplete form, or misunderstanding during a hearing can result in lost status or removal from the United States. The process can feel overwhelming, particularly for those who are detained or facing uncertain legal status.

At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we help clients in New Orleans overcome these challenges by providing immediate, strategic, and experienced legal representation. We know how local courts operate, how immigration officers review cases, and how to intervene quickly when urgent action is required.

Immigrants in New Orleans commonly face challenges such as:

• Sudden ICE detention and the need for bond hearings.
• Deportation and removal proceedings before immigration courts.
• Delays or denials in green card and citizenship applications.
• Complications in employment-based visas and labor certification cases.
• Criminal charges that could jeopardize immigration status.

Our firm’s strength lies in its ability to coordinate these interconnected legal issues. Because our attorneys handle both immigration and criminal defense matters, we can protect clients on multiple fronts, preventing one case from endangering another. In a city where federal law intersects daily with local enforcement, that kind of dual experience makes a significant difference.

Immigration Services We Provide in New Orleans

Our firm offers comprehensive immigration services for individuals, families, and employers throughout the New Orleans area. Whether you are detained and fighting to stay in the country, seeking lawful permanent residence, or helping a loved one reunite with family, we can help.

Below are the core immigration services we provide in New Orleans:

Asylum

For those who have fled persecution or violence in their home country, the asylum process offers a path to safety and legal protection in the United States. Our attorneys help clients prepare and submit asylum applications, represent them in credible fear interviews, and argue their cases before the New Orleans Immigration Court.

We also assist clients with appeals if their asylum claim is denied, ensuring that every possible avenue for protection is explored. Our team understands the urgency and emotional toll of these cases, and we approach every asylum claim with care, precision, and advocacy.

Citizenship and Naturalization

Becoming a U.S. citizen is a major step toward long-term security and opportunity. We help New Orleans residents prepare for and complete the naturalization process, from filing Form N-400 to passing the civics and English tests.

Our attorneys handle cases involving:

• Questions about good moral character or past criminal records.
• Complications with continuous residence or travel outside the U.S.
• Appeals of denied applications or delayed decisions.

For many clients, we also address past immigration issues, such as missed renewals or prior removals, before filing, to ensure a smooth and successful naturalization process.

Criminal Defense for Immigrants

Criminal charges can have devastating immigration consequences, especially in Louisiana where state and federal jurisdictions overlap. Our attorneys represent clients in both criminal court and immigration court, providing a coordinated defense that protects their liberty and their immigration status at the same time.

We handle cases involving:

• DUI, domestic violence, and drug-related charges.
• Immigration fraud or false documentation accusations.
• Charges that could trigger removal or affect eligibility for immigration benefits.

Because Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez has experience in both criminal and immigration law, we understand how to mitigate immigration risks during every stage of a criminal case.

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

Many New Orleans residents who were brought to the United States as children rely on DACA for protection and the ability to work legally. Our firm assists with new applications, renewals, and the pursuit of more permanent options for lawful status.

We stay current on federal DACA policy changes to ensure that our clients remain protected and informed. For eligible young immigrants, we help secure work authorization, travel permissions (advance parole), and guidance toward future residency or citizenship opportunities.

Employment Immigration and Work Visas

New Orleans attracts professionals, students, and business investors from around the world, and our firm helps them secure the legal status needed to work and live in the United States. We assist both employers and employees with employment-based immigration matters, including:

• H-1B visas for skilled workers in specialty occupations
• L-1 visas for intracompany transferees and executives
• PERM labor certification for permanent employment sponsorship
• EB visas for investors and individuals with extraordinary ability

We also work with Louisiana businesses that need to remain compliant with Department of Labor and USCIS regulations. Whether you are seeking to hire foreign talent or adjust your status through employment, Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez provides the detailed legal support these complex cases demand.

Deportation and Removal Defense

Deportation proceedings are among the most serious immigration cases handled in New Orleans. The New Orleans Immigration Court hears hundreds of removal cases each month, many involving individuals who have lived in the United States for years or who have deep family ties here.

Our attorneys represent clients at every stage of the removal process, from the initial Notice to Appear (NTA) to hearings, motions, and appeals. We pursue all available forms of relief, including:

• Asylum or withholding of removal for those facing danger in their home countries
• Cancellation of removal for long-term residents
• Adjustment of status based on family or employment eligibility

When a removal order has already been issued, we can file motions to reopen or appeals before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and federal courts. Every deportation case receives our full attention and strategic advocacy, because we know what’s at stake: families, futures, and the ability to call the U.S. home.

Green Cards and Adjustment of Status

Obtaining a green card allows individuals to live and work permanently in the United States, but the process can be complex and time-sensitive. Our firm assists New Orleans residents with all types of green card applications, including:

• Family-based green cards, such as marriage or immediate relative petitions
• Employment-based green cards, including PERM-certified cases
• Adjustment of status for individuals already living in the U.S.
• Consular processing for applicants abroad

We ensure that every form, affidavit, and piece of evidence is carefully prepared to avoid delays or denials. Our attorneys also assist clients who have encountered complications, such as prior overstays, unlawful presence, or denied petitions, and help them reestablish eligibility for lawful permanent residency.

ICE Detention Defense

Louisiana has one of the highest concentrations of immigration detention centers in the nation, and many detained immigrants are transferred to or from facilities near New Orleans, including the LaSalle and Oakdale Processing Centers.

Our attorneys provide urgent representation for clients detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). We appear at bond hearings, challenge unlawful detention, and pursue legal relief that allows clients to remain in the United States while their cases are pending.

In many cases, our team works closely with families to gather supporting documentation, including evidence of community ties, employment, and family hardship, to strengthen bond arguments. We believe that detention should never silence a person’s right to due process, and we act quickly to ensure every detained client has strong, immediate representation.

Immigration Appeals

When an immigration application or petition is denied, it doesn’t always mean the case is over. Many clients in New Orleans have successfully reversed unfavorable decisions through appeals. Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez represents clients before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) and in federal appellate courts, challenging legal errors, procedural mistakes, or unjust outcomes.

We handle appeals involving:

• Denied asylum or cancellation of removal claims
• Wrongful green card or visa denials
• Citizenship or naturalization rejections
• Deportation orders issued in error

Our attorneys build persuasive appellate briefs supported by case law and evidence, ensuring your story is heard and your rights are protected.

Why Choose Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez for Immigration Law in New Orleans

Immigration law is constantly changing, and success depends on having a team that understands both the law and the people it impacts. At Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez, we combine legal expertise, cultural understanding, and decades of courtroom experience to deliver results for clients in New Orleans and throughout Louisiana.

Clients choose our firm because:

• We have decades of combined experience in immigration and deportation defense.
• Our attorneys provide bilingual representation in English and Spanish.
• We handle urgent ICE detention cases with immediate, strategic response.
• Our practice covers every area of immigration law, from DACA to federal appeals.
• We are known for personalized attention and relentless advocacy for every client.

Our firm takes pride in standing beside immigrants when they need it most, helping them protect their families, their freedom, and their future in the United States.

Contact Our New Orleans Immigration Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one are facing an immigration issue in New Orleans, you don’t have to go through it alone. Whether you are detained, applying for lawful status, or preparing for a citizenship interview, Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez is ready to help.

We proudly serve clients in New Orleans, Oakdale, Jena, and nearby Natchez, Mississippi. Our attorneys are committed to providing strategic, compassionate representation for immigrants and their families across Louisiana.

Call Bartell, Georgalas & Juarez today at (216) 284-7591 or reach out online to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced New Orleans immigration attorney. We are here to defend your rights, protect your family, and guide you toward a secure future in the United States.