Lawyer Dossier · Chicago · October 2026
Five immigration firms that take Chicago citizenship cases, checked on the office, the published practice and the reviews, not on their ads.
Most N-400 cases are routine, but an old arrest, a long trip abroad or a filing date one week too early can turn a citizenship application into a denial. Check who will review your history, what the government charges and where your interview will happen before anyone files.
0 of 5
firms here publish a dollar fee for a naturalization case
90 days
how early you can file before the 5 or 3 year mark
$380
the reduced N-400 fee for lower-income applicants
Attorney Advertising. Kasturi Law LLC holds the featured first slot on this page. The order of the other four is not a ranking, and none of them paid to appear. Every fact below was checked against the source named beside it in October 2026.
01
The scorecard: 5 checks, 5 firms
✓ meets the check ◐ partly or self-reported ✗ does not, or not published
Kasturi Law LLCApplicants with a complication in their history who want interview coaching from a Loop office
Office in Chicago
✓Loop, S Michigan AveBar record checked
◐Not checkedFee terms published
✗Not publishedGoogle rating checked
✓5.0 / 21 Law Office of Kevin L. DixlerLong-time permanent residents who want an attorney with three decades in Chicago immigration work
Office in Chicago
✓Printers RowBar record checked
◐Not checkedFee terms published
✗Not publishedGoogle rating checked
✓4.7 / 86 The Mendoza Law FirmSpanish-speaking families who want a high-volume firm with long evening and weekend hours
Office in Chicago
✗None (TX, DC)Bar record checked
◐Not checkedImmigration only
✗Also PI, mass tortsFee terms published
◐Free evaluation, plansGoogle rating checked
✗Not confirmed Freedom ImmigrationSuburban Cook County residents who want a free first consultation and interview coaching
Office in Chicago
✗Palatine (suburbs)Bar record checked
◐Not checkedFee terms published
◐Free consult onlyGoogle rating checked
✓5.0 / 106 HSD – Help Secure Defend – Immigration Lawyer, LLCFamilies moving from work visas or green cards to citizenship with one firm throughout
Office in Chicago
✓N Wacker DrBar record checked
◐Not checkedFee terms published
✗Not publishedGoogle rating checked
✓4.9 / 41 02
Before you hire: what the numbers mean for a Chicago citizenship case
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0 of 5: firms here publish a dollar fee for a naturalization case
Freedom Immigration offers a free consultation and The Mendoza Law Firm a free evaluation with payment plans, but no firm prints an amount. The government fee is public: Form N-400 costs $710 online or $760 on paper. Ask for the legal fee and the USCIS fee as separate lines.
SOURCE · Firm websites read October 2026; USCIS Form G-1055
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90 days: how early you can file before the 5 or 3 year mark
USCIS accepts an N-400 up to 90 days before you reach five years as a permanent resident, or three years if you have been married to and living with a U.S. citizen. File one day earlier and it is denied. Trips abroad of six months or more can also break continuous residence.
SOURCE · INA section 334; 8 CFR 334.2(b); USCIS early filing guidance
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$380: the reduced N-400 fee for lower-income applicants
Applicants with household income at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines can pay $380 on paper, and some can ask for a full fee waiver on Form I-912. A June 2026 proposal would end both, but it was not final as of October 28, 2026. The ICIRR hotline at 1-855-435-7693 refers callers to free help.
SOURCE · USCIS Form G-1055; ICIRR Family Support Network
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The 5 law firm dossiers
01
Kasturi Law LLC
Applicants with a complication in their history who want interview coaching from a Loop office
Why it made the list
Kasturi Law is an immigration-only practice whose naturalization lawyer in Chicago page centers on the problems that sink N-400 cases: good moral character questions, criminal records, tax issues, and gaps in continuous residence or physical presence. Founder Shobhana Kasturi, who the firm says has more than 27 years of legal experience, offers mock interviews for the English and civics tests and handles RFEs and N-336 appeals after a denial. Its Chicago office is on South Michigan Avenue, a short walk from the USCIS Chicago Field Office where Chicago interviews are held.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyShobhana Kasturi, founder; states more than 27 years of legal experience · Firm’s own statement
- Bar recordIllinois ARDC record not checked this run · Not verified
- Office332 S Michigan Ave, Suite 900, Chicago, IL 60604 · Firm Chicago page; Google
- Phone312-374-6952 (site header shows Naperville, 630-392-8101) · Firm Chicago page; Google
- Naturalization scopeN-400 filing, eligibility review, mock interviews, RFE responses, N-336 appeals · Firm’s naturalization page
- ConsultationsIn office, phone or Zoom; 30 or 60 minute slots booked online · Firm website
- Fee termsNot published · Firm website
- Google rating5.0 from 21 reviews · Google, checked October 2026
Your first-call script
QDoes anything in my travel or arrest history put my continuous residence or moral character in question?
QHow do your mock interviews work, and will you attend my N-400 interview?
QIf USCIS denies the N-400, what does an N-336 appeal cost and how long does it take?
From the reviews we read
+ Reachable at odd hours+ Clear on deadlines~ Mix of case types
Reviewers describe Shobhana Kasturi as reachable by email, text and phone, even at odd hours, and as clear about requirements and deadlines. Several reviews come from student status and green card cases rather than citizenship. We read no negative review in the set, which is worth weighing against a total of 21.
Fit and watch-outThe clearest focus here on the hard parts of an N-400, from moral character issues to N-336 appeals, with an office near the Chicago USCIS building. The trade-off: fees are not published and the site presents one lead attorney, so ask about availability before a tight deadline.
02
Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler
Long-time permanent residents who want an attorney with three decades in Chicago immigration work
Why it made the list
The Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler is a South Loop immigration practice on South Dearborn Street in Printers Row, which the firm says is about 600 feet from the USCIS Chicago Field Office. Kevin Dixler states he has focused on immigration and citizenship since 1993 and has been an AILA member for nearly three decades. Senior paralegal Gazala Momin has worked with the office since 2005. Its site lists citizenship and naturalization alongside family cases, deportation defense, waivers and cancellation of removal, and it keeps offices in Lake Forest and Milwaukee as well.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyKevin L. Dixler; states immigration focus since 1993 · Firm’s own statement
- Bar recordIllinois ARDC record not checked this run · Not verified
- Office542 S Dearborn St, Suite 590, Chicago, IL 60605; also Lake Forest and Milwaukee · Firm website; Google
- Phone312-728-4610 · Firm website; Google
- Naturalization scopeCitizenship and naturalization, plus family cases, waivers and deportation defense · Firm website
- Fee termsNot published; online intake before the consultation · Firm website
- Google rating4.7 from 86 reviews · Google, checked October 2026
Your first-call script
QWill you or a paralegal prepare my N-400, and who attends the interview?
QHow do you handle an old arrest or a long trip abroad before I file?
QWhat is your fee for a naturalization case, in writing?
From the reviews we read
+ Attorney and paralegal team+ Step-by-step explanations+ Faster after takeover
Reviewers repeatedly name Kevin Dixler and Gazala Momin together, describing step-by-step explanations, prompt replies and cases that moved faster after the firm took over. Several reviews mention citizenship applications. One family says Kevin Dixler answered their first call himself.
Fit and watch-outDecades of Chicago practice and a working pair of attorney and paralegal that clients name again and again. The trade-off: fees are not published, and its Google listing shows 24-hour hours that likely reflect a phone line rather than office hours.
03
The Mendoza Law Firm
Spanish-speaking families who want a high-volume firm with long evening and weekend hours
Why it made the list
The Mendoza Law Firm is a nationwide immigration firm led by attorney Maria Mendoza, with offices listed in El Paso, Texas and Washington, D.C., and a Chicago service page rather than a published Chicago office. Its practice list includes American citizenship, permanent residence, work permits, humanitarian visas such as VAWA, U and T visas, deportation defense and federal litigation. The firm states it has served more than 100,000 clients, its own figure, and it also handles personal injury and mass torts. It offers a free evaluation, payment plans and phone hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern, seven days a week.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyMaria Mendoza, founder and managing attorney · Firm website
- Bar recordNot checked this run · Not verified
- OfficesEl Paso, TX and Washington, D.C.; Chicago service page only · Firm website
- Phone877-MENDOZA; 202-933-3379 · Firm website
- Practice scopeAmerican citizenship, permanent residence, humanitarian visas, deportation defense; also personal injury · Firm website
- Track recordStates more than 100,000 clients served · Firm’s own statement
- Fee termsFree evaluation; payment plans; amounts not published · Firm website
- Google ratingNot confirmed for a Chicago listing · Google, checked October 2026
Your first-call script
QWhich licensed attorney would handle a Chicago naturalization case, and where are they based?
QWill someone from the firm attend my interview at the Chicago USCIS office?
QWhat is the total fee under your payment plan?
From the reviews we read
We did not code review themes for this firm. The only Chicago Google listing we found under a similar name has seven reviews, mostly negative, and we could not confirm it belongs to this firm, so we have not counted it. Read the firm’s main Google profiles directly before a call.
Fit and watch-outUseful for Spanish-speaking families who value long phone hours and payment plans. The trade-off: no published Chicago office, a practice that also includes personal injury, and no Chicago Google rating we could confirm.
04
Freedom Immigration
Suburban Cook County residents who want a free first consultation and interview coaching
Why it made the list
Freedom Immigration is a northwest suburban immigration firm on East Northwest Highway in Palatine, about 25 miles northwest of the Loop, that markets itself to Chicago clients. Its site lists naturalization and citizenship next to spouse and fiance visas, family visas, E and I visas and visas for medical professionals, and it offers a free consultation. Reviewers name a case manager, Christina, and attorneys identified as Valentino and Christopher, and several describe being carried through to citizenship after trouble with earlier providers.
Proof file
- Team named in reviewsCase manager Christina; attorneys Valentino and Christopher · Google reviews
- Bar recordIllinois ARDC records not checked this run · Not verified
- Office800 E Northwest Hwy, Suite 950, Palatine, IL 60074 · Firm website; Google
- Phone224-588-3536 · Firm website; Google
- Naturalization scopeNaturalization and citizenship, spouse and family visas, E and I visas · Firm website
- Fee termsFree consultation; case fees not published · Firm website
- Google rating5.0 from 106 reviews · Google, checked October 2026
Your first-call script
QCan my consultation and interview preparation be done by video from Chicago?
QWhich attorney will review my case, and who attends the interview downtown?
QWhat does the free consultation cover, and what is the fee after that?
From the reviews we read
+ Organized document collection+ Thorough interview prep+ Fixed earlier cases
With 106 Google reviews at a 5.0 average, Freedom Immigration has the largest perfect-score base here. Reviewers describe organized document collection, thorough interview preparation and fast responses, including one who reached citizenship after earlier services failed. We read no negative review in the set.
Fit and watch-outA strong option for residents of the northwest suburbs who want a free first meeting and structured interview prep. The trade-off: the office is in Palatine, not Chicago, so city residents may handle most of the case remotely.
05
HSD – Help Secure Defend – Immigration Lawyer, LLC
Families moving from work visas or green cards to citizenship with one firm throughout
Why it made the list
HSD – Help Secure Defend – Immigration Lawyer is a West Loop immigration firm on North Wacker Drive, with a second Illinois location in Naperville and offices in Jersey City and Clark, New Jersey. Its practice list includes naturalization applications next to family green cards, marriage cases, fiance visas, waivers, asylum, U visas, VAWA and administrative and judicial review. Clients name attorney Rabindra Singh, and several reviews describe the firm carrying a family from a work permit through a green card to citizenship.
Proof file
- Lead attorneyRabindra Singh, named in client reviews · Google reviews
- Bar recordIllinois ARDC record not checked this run · Not verified
- Office110 N Wacker Dr, Suite 2500, Chicago, IL 60606; also Naperville and New Jersey · Google; firm website
- Phone312-291-1234 · Firm website; Google
- Naturalization scopeNaturalization applications, family green cards, waivers, asylum, U visa, VAWA · Firm website
- HoursMon to Fri, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. · Google
- Fee termsNot published · Firm website
- Google rating4.9 from 41 reviews · Google, checked October 2026
Your first-call script
QWho in the Chicago office will prepare my N-400 and attend the interview?
QCan you review my earlier immigration filings for anything that conflicts with my N-400?
QWhat is your flat fee, if any, for naturalization?
From the reviews we read
+ Calm, reassuring guidance+ Careful with documents~ Work visa to citizenship
Reviewers describe Rabindra Singh as calm and reassuring, careful with documents and quick to keep them updated. One review covers H-1B and H-4 to F-1 work, and another a naturalization filing. We read no negative review in the set of 41.
Fit and watch-outA good fit for families who have used the firm for earlier filings and want continuity into citizenship. The trade-off: fees are not published, and with offices in two states, confirm which attorney is based in Chicago.
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Six things to settle before you hire a naturalization lawyer
Your filing date. Count five years from the date on your green card, or three if you qualify through marriage, and file no more than 90 days early.
Every trip abroad. List each trip with exact dates. Trips of six months or more need a lawyer’s review before you file.
Every arrest or citation. Disclose everything, even dismissed cases and expunged records, and bring certified court dispositions.
Fees on separate lines. The legal fee, the $710 or $760 USCIS fee and any appeal fee should be listed separately in writing.
The ARDC record. Look up the handling attorney on the Illinois ARDC lawyer search to confirm the license and any public discipline.
Who attends the interview. Ask whether the attorney who prepared your file will sit with you at the USCIS Chicago Field Office.
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Frequently asked questions
Where are naturalization interviews held for Chicago residents?
+
At the USCIS Chicago Field Office, 101 W Ida B. Wells Dr. Kasturi Law LLC and the Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler both have offices within a short walk of it.
How much does it cost to apply for U.S. citizenship in 2026?
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Form N-400 costs $710 online or $760 on paper, with a $380 reduced fee for lower-income applicants filing on paper. A proposed increase was not final as of October 28, 2026.
How early can I file my N-400?
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Up to 90 days before you reach five years as a permanent resident, or three years if married to and living with a U.S. citizen. Earlier filings are denied.
Which of these firms has a Chicago office?
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Kasturi Law LLC (South Michigan Avenue), the Law Office of Kevin L. Dixler (South Dearborn Street) and HSD (North Wacker Drive). Freedom Immigration is in Palatine, and The Mendoza Law Firm lists offices in Texas and Washington, D.C.
Do any of these firms offer a free consultation?
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Freedom Immigration offers a free consultation and The Mendoza Law Firm a free evaluation. The others do not publish consultation fees.
What if my citizenship application is denied?
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You can usually request a hearing on Form N-336 within 30 days of the decision. Kasturi Law LLC lists N-336 appeals on its naturalization page.
How do I check an Illinois lawyer’s license?
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Use the Illinois ARDC lawyer search, which shows whether an attorney is authorized to practice and any public discipline.
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Method and sources
How we checked these firms+
This is a shortlist of five immigration firms that take Chicago naturalization cases, not a ranking. For each one we read its own site for office, practice areas and fee terms, and checked its Google Business Profile for address, phone, rating and the review text itself. Illinois ARDC attorney records were not checked this run, so the scorecard marks them as not checked.
Where a firm states something about itself, such as years in practice or clients served, we say it is the firm’s own statement. Where we could not confirm a Google profile, we say so rather than borrow a rating.
Sources+
- Firm websites: kasturilaw.com, dixler.com, hsdimmigrationlawyer.com, freedomimmigration.com, mendozafirm.com (read October 2026)
- Google Business Profiles for each firm: address, phone, rating, review count and review text (checked October 2026)
- USCIS Form G-1055 fee schedule
- INA section 334 and 8 CFR 334.2(b), early filing
- ICIRR Family Support Network hotline
- USCIS Chicago Field Office, Google listing
General information for law firm owners choosing a marketing vendor, not legal advice. Check the current statute text or ask ethics counsel before relying on it.