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Immigration Attorneys Serving Columbus and All of Ohio
When your future, your family, or your workforce depends on a fair immigration process, you need clear guidance and answers. Brown Immigration Law brings more than 100 years of combined experience to individuals, families, and employers across central Ohio.
Our Columbus immigration attorneys help people from all backgrounds pursue visas, green cards, citizenship, and employment-based solutions. We also assist companies with hiring and retaining global talent while staying compliant. From the first consultation call to the final decision, you’ll understand your options, your next steps, and what to expect at each stage.
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How Can a Columbus Immigration Lawyer Help Me?
At Brown Immigration Law, our immigration lawyers in Columbus guide you through every step of your immigration process so you can make informed decisions with confidence. We start by evaluating your goals, confirming eligibility, and explaining any risks, then map out a filing strategy tailored to your situation.
Working with a Columbus immigration lawyer can help you:
- Confirm eligibility and choose the right path forward based on your category, history, and long-term goals.
- Build a filing strategy that fits your situation, deadlines, and any upcoming travel or employment needs.
- Prepare complete, well-supported applications with organized documentation and clear supporting evidence.
- Avoid preventable delays by catching errors, inconsistencies, and missing items before submission.
- Respond effectively to USCIS requests such as Requests for Evidence (RFEs) and follow-up notices.
- Prepare for interviews with a clear understanding of what to expect and how to answer questions confidently.
- Coordinate employer filings when needed, including document collection, hiring timelines, and compliance considerations.
Local knowledge makes a difference. In Columbus, applicants usually complete biometrics at the local Application Support Center, and some cases require interviews in coordination to where you reside. Our immigration lawyers in Columbus help you navigate these local steps while keeping national rules and procedures in view, ensuring your case moves forward smoothly.
Columbus Immigration Attorney Near Me
Yes. Brown Immigration Law’s Columbus office is located at 2000 W Henderson Rd, Suite 150, Columbus, OH 43220. We are near Upper Arlington, just off the W Henderson corridor and a short drive from SR‑315 and Olentangy River Road. The corridor connects directly with SR‑315 and U.S. 33, making it convenient for most of Franklin County.
We also serve clients across North Carolina and Florida. You can also visit our Cleveland, North Carolina, Orlando, or Tampa locations.
What to Expect After You File an Immigration Case
Once your immigration case is filed, most applicants go through a series of standard milestones. Some matters move quickly, while others take months or longer depending on the category, the agency workload, and whether an interview is required. Our Columbus immigration lawyers help you understand what comes next and stay prepared at every stage.
After filing, your case may include:
- Receipt notice and case tracking, confirming USCIS has accepted your filing.
- Biometrics scheduling, often completed at a local Application Support Center.
- Requests for Evidence (RFEs) if USCIS needs clarification or additional documentation.
- Interview preparation and attendance when an interview is required for the category.
- Final decision and next steps, including approvals, follow-up filings, or status planning.
Some cases proceed based on paperwork alone. Others require an interview, which can involve additional preparation and supporting documentation. If USCIS needs clarification or more evidence, it may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) with a deadline. A clear, organized response can make a meaningful difference in how smoothly the case continues.
Throughout the process, we track updates, help you understand timelines, and address issues that could slow the case down. If your plans change while your matter is pending, such as travel needs, job changes, or a move, we help you evaluate how those changes might affect your status and next steps.
Columbus Immigration Lawyer Helping Families
Many Columbus immigration matters begin with a family goal: bringing a spouse home, keeping a household together, or building long-term stability in the U.S. Family-based immigration may look straightforward at a glance, but small details can lead to delays or unexpected complications. Brown Immigration Law helps families in Columbus move forward with filings that are thorough, consistent, and supported by the right evidence.
Whether you are filing for a spouse, parent, child, or another qualifying relative, we start by confirming eligibility and reviewing any immigration history that could affect timing or approval. If concerns exist, we address them early on and build a clear plan based on your goals. For couples pursuing a marriage-based visa, we help ensure the record is organized, consistent, and ready for review at every stage.
Adjustment of Status and Consular Processing
Family-based green cards generally move through one of two tracks: adjustment of status for people who are already in the United States, or consular processing for relatives completing the final steps through a U.S. consulate abroad. We help you determine which process applies to your situation and what it means for timing, required documents, and travel planning.
For adjustment of status, we prepare the full packet, confirm eligibility requirements, and ensure supporting documents are complete and consistent. For consular processing, we coordinate paperwork and interview preparation to reduce the risk of delays caused by missing documentation or incomplete submissions. When families need to address prior unlawful presence concerns before moving forward, we also advise on options such as the I-601A Provisional Waiver when appropriate.
Citizenship and Naturalization
For many families, the long-term goal is U.S. citizenship. Naturalization involves more than completing a form. Eligibility depends on factors such as continuous residence, physical presence, good moral character, and how prior immigration history fits into the applicant’s record.
Our Columbus immigration attorneys help clients assess eligibility before filing, prepare for the civics and English tests, and approach the interview with confidence. We also assist families with longer-term planning when children are involved. Vulnerable young people may have a path forward with a Special Immigrant Juvenile Visa. We can discuss this option in a safe environment.
Columbus Immigration Lawyer for Work Visas and Employment-Based Immigration
Columbus employers rely on global talent across health care, education, logistics, manufacturing, and research. Professionals often rely on lawful status to keep a job, support a family, and plan for long-term residency. Employment-based immigration requires careful planning, strong documentation, and a clear understanding of what the job role supports under U.S. immigration rules.
Brown Immigration Law represents both employers and workers in Columbus, helping each side move forward with a strategy that aligns with real timelines and compliance requirements. We focus on building filings that are complete, accurate, and well-supported so employers can hire confidently, and professionals can maintain status while pursuing long-term goals.
Columbus Immigration Lawyer for Employers
Employers often need immigration support that works with hiring realities. Our team helps businesses in Columbus evaluate candidate eligibility, select the appropriate visa category, and prepare filings that reflect the position requirements, pay structure, and supporting documentation.
We also help employers manage immigration timelines in a way that supports onboarding and retention. For longer-term planning, we provide guidance on pathways to permanent residence, including PERM labor certification strategy when applicable. When compliance concerns arise, such as audits or site visits, we help companies stay prepared with consistent records and a clear plan.
Employers often benefit from support with:
- Hiring timelines and start-date planning, especially when roles require a quick onboarding schedule.
- Role alignment and position documentation, so the job description and requirements match the visa category.
- Compliance considerations, including maintaining consistent records and preparing for potential audits or site visits.
- PERM planning and long-term strategy when permanent sponsorship may be the right next step.
Columbus Immigration Lawyer for Employees
For employees and professionals, employment-based immigration often involves maintaining lawful status while meeting strict timelines and documentation requirements. We help individuals understand what their status allows, what changes may affect eligibility, and how to plan for extensions, job transitions, and long-term options. We provide guidance regarding:
- Status maintenance, including understanding what your current approval allows and what could create issues.
- Extensions and renewal timing, so filings are submitted correctly and on schedule.
- Travel risks while a case is pending, including reentry concerns and document planning.
- Job changes and transitions, such as changes in duties, worksite, or employer that may require updated filings.
Whether you are pursuing a work visa, an extension, or an employer-sponsored green card path, our Columbus immigration lawyers guide you through the process with clear next steps and practical expectations. If you are considering travel while a case is pending or navigating changes in job duties, we help you evaluate risks before they become complications.
Columbus Immigration Lawyer for Asylum and Humanitarian Cases
Some immigration matters are not about opportunity or family planning. They are about protection and safety. Asylum and other humanitarian pathways involve strict rules and careful documentation, and the process can move quickly once deadlines are issued.
Brown Immigration Law provides thoughtful, detail-oriented representation for Columbus clients pursuing asylum and humanitarian relief. We take the time to understand your history, identify the most appropriate legal pathway, and prepare your case with the level of clarity and consistency the government expects.
Asylum
Asylum is available to individuals who are unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution based on a protected ground under U.S. law. In some situations, refugee status may also be an option for individuals seeking protection from outside the United States. Eligibility is fact-specific, and timing can be critical, including filing deadlines that may apply.
Our Columbus immigration attorneys help clients prepare asylum applications with strong supporting evidence and organized documentation. We also help clients understand what to expect from interviews, how to approach testimony preparation, and how work authorization may be addressed during the process.
Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) may be available to eligible individuals from countries designated by the U.S. government due to conditions such as armed conflict or natural disasters. TPS can provide lawful presence and work authorization during the designated period, but it comes with renewal requirements and eligibility rules that must be followed carefully.
We help Columbus clients confirm eligibility, prepare TPS filings, respond to follow-up requests, and plan for next steps based on their long-term goals. For many individuals, TPS is one piece of a broader immigration strategy, and we can help you evaluate other options that may be available.
Assistance for Vulnerable Immigrants
Some immigration options are designed to protect people who have experienced serious harm, including victims of certain crimes and individuals facing abuse by a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member. Brown Immigration Law helps Columbus clients evaluate whether relief may be available under programs like U visas and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), then prepare clear, well-supported filings that prioritize safety, discretion, and long-term stability.
Removal Defense
When someone is placed into removal proceedings, the stakes rise quickly. A Notice to Appear (NTA) may be the start of a court process that determines whether a person can remain in the United States. These cases require fast evaluation, careful legal analysis, and a clear plan for building the strongest available defense.
Brown Immigration Law represents Columbus clients in removal-related matters, including individuals who have received notices from immigration authorities or who are concerned about how a past issue could affect their status. We review the facts, identify available relief, and help clients understand what the process may involve, including hearings, deadlines, and documentation requirements.
Removal defense can involve multiple strategies depending on eligibility, immigration history, and the specific procedural posture of the case. Our role is to help you understand your options clearly and pursue the best path forward based on your circumstances.
Immigration Assistance for Students and Recent Graduates
Columbus is home to a large student population, and immigration planning often becomes more complex during transitions: starting a new program, graduating, accepting a job offer, or changing long-term goals. Small mistakes with timing or documentation can create unnecessary obstacles.
Our Columbus immigration lawyers help students and recent graduates understand how their status works, what restrictions apply, and what options may exist after graduation. This may involve planning for work authorization, understanding travel considerations while filings are pending, and evaluating whether an employer-sponsored option is realistic for a specific role.
Some students and young professionals may also have questions about Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), including renewals, work authorization, travel considerations, and long-term planning. Our Columbus immigration lawyers help clients understand what DACA allows, what it does not provide, and whether other options may be available based on family ties, employment, or humanitarian pathways.
If you need to change status, extend status, or map out a longer-term plan, we help you take the next step with clear expectations and a strategy that keeps your record consistent.
Immigration Documents Our Clients Commonly Need
Many immigration delays are caused by missing or inconsistent documentation. While the exact requirements depend on the case type, strong filings typically include a clear record of identity, immigration history, and supporting evidence that matches the legal category being requested.
Common documents include:
- Passports, birth certificates, and government-issued identity documents
- Marriage certificates, divorce decrees, and other civil records
- Prior immigration records, including I-94 history, visa stamps, and approval notices
- Employment documentation, such as offer letters, pay records, or degree credentials when required
- Financial support documents when applicable to the category
- Court records or police documentation, if relevant to immigration eligibility
If a document is not originally in English, it must be accompanied by a full and complete certified English translation of the entire document, including a translation of the registrar’s name and information, signature and stamp of the civil authority. The translator must certify that the translation is accurate, and he or she is competent to translate to English. If you submit a foreign language translation, it must also include a copy of the foreign language document. Our team helps Columbus clients identify what is needed, avoid common gaps, and organize materials in a way that supports a clean and credible submission.
Immigration Processing Delays and How We Reduce Avoidable Setbacks
Immigration timelines are unpredictable. Backlogs, security checks, and agency workload can slow cases down even when everything is filed correctly. That said, many delays are avoidable. Missing documents, inconsistent information, and late responses can create problems that should never occur in the first place.
Brown Immigration Law helps Columbus clients reduce avoidable setbacks by building filings that are complete, consistent, and well-supported from the beginning. We confirm forms are accurate, ensure supporting evidence is organized, and monitor deadlines closely. If USCIS issues a Request for Evidence, we help you respond with clear documentation that directly addresses the request.
We also help clients plan for issues that affect timing, such as travel needs, job changes, address updates, and status maintenance concerns. While no attorney can control government processing speed, careful preparation can prevent unnecessary complications and keep your case positioned to move forward as efficiently as possible.
Why Work with Brown Immigration Law?
At Brown Immigration Law, we recognize that immigration matters are deeply personal and impact your life. Our team provides clear and compassionate guidance tailored to your unique circumstances. Here’s why families, individuals, and businesses choose our Columbus immigration attorneys for help:
- Straight answers and clear next steps: Immigration rules get complicated fast. We explain what matters, what does not, and what your timeline is likely to look like so you’re not guessing as the case moves forward.
- Support for both family and work-based cases: We represent individuals, families, and employers, which matters when your life does not fit into one category. That includes situations where a person is pursuing a family petition while also maintaining a work visa or planning an employment-based filing.
- Preparation for the parts that catch people off guard: Biometrics, RFEs, interviews, and even site visits can create stress and delays when clients are not ready. We help you prepare in advance and make sure your documentation holds up under review.
- Experienced leadership with a strong investigative background: Founding attorney Robert Brown previously served as a special agent with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS), later becoming deputy chief of investigations in Washington, D.C., and INS director in Cleveland. The firm’s work has also been recognized through honors such as the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating and Ohio Super Lawyers® Rising Stars℠.
If you’re looking for a Columbus immigration attorney who will give you a clear plan and stay with you from start to finish, Brown Immigration Law is ready to help. Whether you’re reuniting with family, growing your business, or planning your future in the U.S., our attorneys provide guidance, practical solutions, and direct support to help you achieve your immigration goals.
Start the conversation today and contact our team to schedule a consultation with a Columbus immigration attorney.
Abogado de Inmigración en Columbus | Servicios en Español
En Brown Immigration Law, nuestros abogados de inmigración en Columbus brindan atención en español y trabajan con personas, familias y empleadores de la comunidad hispana en el centro de Ohio. Ayudamos con solicitudes familiares, residencia permanente, ciudadanía, visas de trabajo y otros asuntos migratorios, siempre con un enfoque claro y profesional.
Si necesita un abogado de inmigración en Columbus que le explique sus opciones de forma directa y le acompañe durante todo el proceso, comuníquese con nuestra oficina para programar una consulta. Analizaremos su caso y le indicaremos los pasos a seguir.
Schedule a Consultation with a Columbus Immigration Lawyer
If you are planning your next step in the U.S. immigration process, Brown Immigration Law can help you move forward with a clear strategy. A consultation gives you the chance to discuss your goals, review eligibility, and understand what a realistic timeline and process may look like based on your situation.
To speak with a Columbus immigration lawyer, contact Brown Immigration Law to schedule a consultation and get a plan you can act on.
