The best asylum lawyers in Chicago in 2026 include the National Immigrant Justice Center for people who can't pay, Sverdloff Law Group, Borjas Law Group and Cho Immigration Law among private firms, and Michael Ibrahim Law Office and Gilliam Law for asylum alongside appeals and humanitarian relief.
| Firm | Office | Focus | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. National Immigrant Justice Center | The Loop | Asylum seekers and vulnerable groups | People who can't pay |
| 2. Sverdloff Law Group | The Loop | Asylum and removal defense | Asylum sought in removal proceedings |
| 3. Borjas Law Group | West Loop | Asylum, U visas and VAWA | People who may qualify for several protections |
| 4. Cho Immigration Law | The Loop | Asylum, family and business immigration | Applicants with possible family or work options |
| 5. Michael Ibrahim Law Office | Near West Side & Pilsen | Asylum and appeals | Asylum denials and motions |
| 6. Gilliam Law | South Side | Asylum and humanitarian relief | South Side and western suburbs clients |
Asylum protects people who fear persecution in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. There's generally a one-year deadline from your arrival in the US to apply, though exceptions exist, and the rules have changed repeatedly. Get advice soon, and don't rely on anyone who isn't a lawyer or an accredited representative.
A nonprofit whose services include asylum seekers.
The National Immigrant Justice Center serves asylum seekers, along with detained immigrants, LGBTQ immigrants and survivors of trafficking. It's the first place to try if you can't afford a private lawyer.
Good to know: It can't take every case, so ask about capacity right away.
111 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604
Handles political asylum in its removal practice.
Sverdloff Law Group includes political asylum in its removal defense work. That's relevant if you're asking for asylum in immigration court rather than through a USCIS interview.
Good to know: Confirm whether your case is before USCIS or the court.
120 S State St, Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60603
Lists humanitarian options beyond asylum.
Borjas Law Group lists asylum along with U visas, VAWA and DACA. Having those options under one roof helps when asylum may not be your only path. It offers a free in-person consultation.
Good to know: Tell the lawyer if you've been a victim of a crime in the US.
216 S Jefferson St, Suite 202, Chicago, IL 60661
An experienced practice with a wider immigration list.
Cho Immigration Law cites 30 years of experience and has an asylum page within a practice that also covers family and business immigration.
Good to know: Bring a written timeline of what happened.
111 W Washington St, Suite 1010, Chicago, IL 60602
Handles asylum along with appeals.
Michael Ibrahim Law Office lists asylum as well as appeals and motions to reopen, which matters if a previous claim was denied. The site has Spanish-language pages.
Good to know: Bring the denial and any hearing record.
1655 S Blue Island Ave, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60608
Asylum and humanitarian relief as a named area.
Gilliam Law lists asylum and humanitarian relief, along with waivers and immigration appeals, from offices on West 47th Street and in Addison.
Good to know: Ask whether interpreters are available for your first meeting.
1904 W 47th St, Chicago, IL 60609
Generally within one year of your last arrival in the US. There are limited exceptions for changed or extraordinary circumstances. If you've been here longer than a year, see a lawyer anyway, since other protections may apply.
The National Immigrant Justice Center provides legal services to asylum seekers. Capacity is limited, so ask early. Illinois Legal Aid Online can point you to other resources.
Passports and IDs, any immigration papers, a timeline of what happened, and any evidence such as police reports, medical records, threats or news articles. Bring a translation of key papers if you can, though the lawyer can advise on that.