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Last Modified on Oct 14, 2025
How much does an immigration lawyer cost in Iowa? In 2025, immigration is a hot and contentious topic for most Americans. Many of the immigrant population in Iowa and nationwide are facing the fear of deportation. It is therefore important to understand the cost of hiring an experienced immigration lawyer. Depending on the firm, fees can be hourly or a flat rate, and the cost varies depending on case complexity.
Regardless of cost, there is significant value to having attorney representation for your legal matters involving immigration. Legal advice can give you peace of mind and help you to avoid costly mistakes. The Lawyers, PLLC, have a team of attorneys prepared to help you in North Iowa. Our team will stand by your side as we walk you through the process.
Immigration Cost by Service
Sometimes the cost of an immigration lawyer can be shocking, but having a skilled immigration lawyer on your side can save you from the threat of deportation. Situations involving immigration and citizenship have high stakes and can be some of the most complex cases, depending on the individual’s status and whether they have a past criminal record. All attorneys have their own fee structure and will want to have an initial meeting prior to giving you a quote for their services.
Most attorneys offer a free consultation to review your case and will begin to formulate your legal strategy at this meeting. In Iowa, immigration lawyers from The Lawyers, PLLC, offer this initial consultation at no cost to you, whereas some lawyers may choose to charge their regular hourly rate for this initial meeting.
After the initial consultation, your attorney will understand more clearly the scope of work involved with your case and can then give you their fee structure. The fee an attorney charges can range based on their experience, the complexity of the case, and the demand for their services. Here is a list of services an immigration lawyer can assist with in order of complexity and cost:
- Green card renewal
- Citizenship/naturalization application
- Green card petition for a relative
- Adjustment of status application
- Asylum application
- Deportation defense (this is the highest based on complexity for these specific cases, and if there are criminal offenses involved)
According to the American Immigration Council, Iowa has a large immigrant population, approximately 187,300 immigrant residents making up 5.8% of the state’s population. Sioux City, located in Northern Iowa, has the largest immigrant population in the state at 11.1%. Under the current Trump administration, there have been a lot of efforts by the federal government to deport immigrants, thus making the demand for immigration attorneys higher.
Iowa Immigration Law
On October 23, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit blocked Iowa’s SF 2340 law. This law was originally passed by Iowa legislation in 2024 and was temporarily blocked by courts due to its conflict with federal laws. It is coined as one of the worst anti-immigrant laws in Iowa’s history.
This law would have allowed local law enforcement to arrest and charge individuals if they were previously deported, removed, or denied admission to the United States. The U.S. Department of Justice and various civil rights groups filed lawsuits in order to block the law from going into effect.
The blocking of this law has a huge impact across the country, as more states are attempting to regulate immigration at the state level. The United States was formed in part by immigrants, and today, 14.3% of the nation are immigrants. Iowa’s legislative targeted attack on immigrants through SF 2340 is scary and is reason enough to look into citizenship in order to safeguard yourself and your loved ones.
FAQs
Is It Worth Using an Immigration Lawyer?
With so much at stake with immigration law, it is always worth having the aid of an immigration lawyer. Without legal aid, you face the risk of deportation and separation from your family. The price is worth your safety. Often, immigration law can be complex and have many forms and filings. Your attorney can make sure these are done accurately and filed with the Iowa District Court. Immigration law is ever-evolving; it is always worth seeking legal aid.
When Should I Hire an Immigration Lawyer?
You should hire an immigration lawyer for many different situations, ranging from renewing your green card to facing deportation. An attorney can help you file for your citizenship and ease the application burden. If you are having more serious situations, such as a notice of deportation, your attorney can help you understand your legal options and challenge the order on your behalf. No matter your case, it is beneficial to have an immigration lawyer.
How Much Does It Cost to Help Someone Get a Green Card?
Most attorneys offer a flat rate to help someone obtain their green card, but there are also many fees for forms and filings. There are also government fees, such as the USCIS Immigrant Fee of $235, which is mandatory for individuals who immigrate to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident. For people outside of the U.S. processing their immigrant visa through an embassy or consulate, there is a fee of $325.
Does Having a Lawyer Speed Up the Immigration Process?
Yes, having a lawyer can help speed up the immigration process by making sure forms are filled out and filed correctly. Having an attorney who practices in immigration law can ensure that there are no delays due to errors and can help you avoid roadblocks that could lead to delays throughout the legal process.
Hire an Immigration Lawyer
If you are an immigrant seeking to hire a lawyer to help with your case, The Lawyers, PLLC. Located in North Iowa, we are here to help you. Our skilled team of attorneys offers free consultations and has many years of experience representing immigrants seeking citizenship or who are facing deportation. Contact us today to get started.
