Immigration case timelines in Cleveland typically range from 6 to 36 months, depending on case complexity, type, and current court backlogs.
Cleveland Court Backlog
Estimated pending immigration cases in the Cleveland area range from 300 (low) to 1,200 (high), reflecting trends in regional court dockets and filings.
Immigration Cleveland Filing Volume
Monthly immigration case filings in Cleveland are estimated between 30 and 80, based on recent public court and agency data.
Immigration Case Outcomes
Success rates for immigration cases generally improve at later stages, with approximately 35% resolved favorably pre-litigation, 50% post-filing, and up to 60% at trial, though outcomes vary by case type.
Bassel M. Abdallah is a strong believer that every immigrant to the United States deserves the opportunity to start a new life. His first-hand experience with the U.S. immigration process and extensive legal background make him uniquely qualified to help those in need realize their American dream.. Mr. Abdallah’s experience in the legal world began in his childhood. For many years, he watched his father and older brother practice law in Beirut, Lebanon. It was here that Mr. Abdallah decided to pursue a career in law. Mr. Abdallah graduated first in his class from Lebanese University- Filière Francophone de Droit, with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted into practice in Lebanon. He furthered his legal education at Paris II Panthéon-Assas University in Paris, France, earning an LLM in Business Law. Intent on furthering his legal education, Mr. Abdallah immigrated to the United States, which piqued his interest in immigration law. He attended Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, graduating with honors with a Master of Laws in U.S. and Global Legal Studies.
JP Sarmiento, Esq. is the founder and managing attorney of the Sarmiento Immigration Law Firm. Mr. Sarmiento is an immigrant himself, having first entered the United States as an F-1 Student when he was 18. He concentrates his practice on all areas of immigration law, from different types of non-immigrant visas, family, marriage, and employment-based green cards, citizenship and naturalization applications, and asylum and deportation defense. He has broad experience representing foreign nationals from 50 different countries and various small and midsized businesses. He has been to over 25 Immigration Courts and Offices all over the country representing clients for immigration hearings and interviews.. Mr. Sarmiento is authorized to practice immigration law in all fifty states and is admitted to the Ohio Supreme Court. He is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He obtained his law degree from the University of Illinois College of Law where he received an Excellence in Research and Writing award. Mr. Sarmiento also spent a summer as a judicial extern for Judge Mitchel R. Goldberg at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. He obtained his Bachelors Degree in Economics and Finance, summa cum laude and top of his class at that program, at the Southern New Hampshire University.. In addition to his practice, Mr. Sarmiento maintains an “Immigration Law Blog” designed for foreigners in need of a clear and simplified explanation of immigration law that could help them assess their own situation. He also was a full-time equity trader prior to law school and is still an avid trader on the side.
Practice Areas: Immigration & Naturalization , Immigration, Immigration, Immigration
In more than 25 years of practice, Margaret Wong has built Margaret W. Wong & Associates Co., L.P.A. into a firm nationally and internationally renowned for its knowledge in immigration and nationality law. She is the current co-chair of the Immigration Law Committee for the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and chair of the Cleveland Bar Association's Immigration Law Section.. Ms. Wong has received the highest rating, AV, from Martindale-Hubbell, based on both legal ability and general-ethics standards. Her peers have named her a "Leading Lawyer," an exclusive list that has been published in Inside Business Magazine since 2001. She is listed as a 2004 "Super Lawyer" in Cincinnati Magazine, a distinction reserved for the top 5% of lawyers. She has also been listed as one of the "Best Lawyers in America.". Because of her personal experience as an immigrant, Margaret Wong combines qualities Americans admire: an immigrant's work ethic, an entrepreneur's drive, a keen sense of resourcefulness, and the utmost compassion for those in need. In 1950, Margaret Wong was born in the former British Colony of Hong Kong. Months earlier, her Chinese parents fled the political repression and civil war caused by the Communist takeover of China.. Based on her own experience of obtaining a green card and U.S. citizenship under U.S. immigration law, Margaret Wong recognized that companies and individuals need sound guidance in this highly regulated, seemingly arcane, and sometimes frustrating regulatory area. She founded Margaret W. Wong & Associates with one desk and no secretary. Her practice now includes six attorneys and 35 other staff members.. Over the last two decades Margaret Wong has helped employers obtain work permits for their executives and has assisted thousands of people in coming to the United States to become permanent residents, advance their educations, work, and pursue opportunities. Her clients come from every country around the world, from every walk of life, and range from governmental and corporate to ordinary people. The law firm's talented team handles every kind of immigration problem; its staff is multilingual, with proficiency in languages including Mandarin, Cantonese, Hindi, Tagalog, Russian, Spanish, French, German and Japanese. Executives and large law firms seek her help when they have tough immigration problems. She is known for speed, quality, honesty and persistence.. She has won numerous awards, including two for philanthropy - the Margaret Ireland Award from the Cleveland Women's City Club and the 1997 Creative Philanthropy Award from the Women's Community Foundation. Crain's Cleveland Business has named her to their "Women of Influence" list and Cleveland Magazine has included her with its "Most Interesting People." Margaret Wong also received the highly coveted Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May 1998 for her outstanding achievements and contributions to the multicultural fabric of the United States. She was inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame in 2000. Other honors and awards include an Outstanding Alumni Award from State University of New York at Buffalo, the Trailblazer Award from NAPABA, Kent State University's Social Responsibility Award, and the Leadership Award from the United Black Fund.. Margaret Wong is a civic leader who educates and inspires others. While she was serving as the first Asian-American president of the Cleveland Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the Cleveland chapter won the coveted Chapter Activity Award. The Ohio Supreme Court appointed her a charter member of the Continuing Legal Education Commission for attorneys, where she is currently serving as a member of its Racial Task Force. She has presented numerous seminars on immigration and naturalization law for bar associations and the public. Committed to giving something back to the community and to mentoring young professionals, Ms. Wong has volunteered her time and expertise on boards of diverse organizations, including Notre Dame College, Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, Northeast Ohio Commission on Higher Education, Cleveland Bar Foundation, Ohio State Bar Foundation, American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asian Bar Association, Town Hall, University Hospitals Health System, St. Vincent Hospital Health Care System, United Way Services, and the Cleveland State University and Case Western Reserve University Law School Advisory Boards. Ms. Wong is also a life member of both the Eighth Judicial District Court and the Federal Sixth Circuit Court. Margaret is also an Urban League Board Member and VP.. Ms. Wong has offices in Cleveland, Ohio; Columbus, Ohio; Detroit, Michigan; New York, NY; Atlanta, GA; and Nashville, TN. She is admitted for practice in Ohio, New York, Illinois, Georgia, District of Columbia and Michigan.
1701 E. 12th Street, Suite 3GW , Cleveland , Ohio 44114
Practice Areas: Immigration
Lila Dawud Raslan is an accomplished attorney who focuses her practice on family law and complex civil litigation. Since joining Raslan Pla & Company, LLC, and its predecessor in 2001, she has developed a strong reputation for her formidable legal prowess and dedication to her clients. Licensed to practice in all courts across Ohio, Lila brings a comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape to her work. In addition to family law and civil litigation, she has significant experience in a broad range of immigration matters, including student and labor visas, the transfer of executive and managerial personnel, and navigating deportation and removal proceedings. This combination of skills enables Lila to effectively support her clients through various legal challenges. Lila is actively involved in the legal community as a member of both the Ohio State Bar Association and the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, showcasing her commitment to continued professional growth and community engagement.
Kathryn (Katie) P. Russell received her Juris Doctorate Cum Laude from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio. Katie graduated from John Carroll University Magna Cum Laude with a double major in History: Latin American Studies Concentration and Spanish. She is fluent in Spanish and has studied at the Universidad Centroamericana with the Casa de la Solidaridad Program in El Salvador and at the Universidad del Pacífico in Lima, Peru. Prior to pursuing her legal career, Katie served as a Jesuit Volunteer at YMCA International Services in Houston, Texas while specializing in Central American Victim of Human Trafficking and refugee resettlement cases. Katie has been with Robert Brown, LLC since 2009 and is experienced in family-based immigration, employment-based immigration, removal defense, and citizenship
Jessica Larson joined Okuh & Ibara-Cech Law, LLC as Of Counsel in September 2023. Prior to joining Okuh & Ibara-Cech Law, LLC, Jessica was Of Counsel at MJB Immigration and a partner at Benos & Larson, LLC. Jessica has been in private practice, focusing exclusively on immigration law, since 2012.. Jessica’s practice focuses on removal defense, asylum, family-based immigration, naturalization, and related appeals. Jessica has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2020 and was selected as an Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2017 through 2022. She is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and serves as the chair of the AILA Ohio Chapter’s EOIR Liaison Committee.
815 Superior Ave E Ste 1225 , Cleveland , Ohio 44114
Practice Areas: Immigration
I travel extensively and have lived in India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Italy. These world experiences have givem me a unique perspective while working with people of different cultures and nationalities.
Attorney and Robert Brown LLC Partner Jennifer (“Jenna”) Peyton received her Juris Doctorate from the Case Western University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio. She is accepted to practice law before the US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Jenna’s practice focus is removal proceedings, family based cases both within the United States and with consular processing.. Jenna was born in Los Angeles, California and grew up in La Jolla, a small town in San Diego County. During her high school and college years, she studied abroad in Argentina, Italy and spent her junior year of college in Irkutsk, Siberia (Russia). Upon her return from Russia, Jenna graduated from Trinity College, and was awarded the Russian Book Prize for scholastic excellence. She moved to Cleveland in 1995. She is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Case School of Law (Immigration Practicum I and II), and an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Cleveland-Marshall School of Law. She speaks Spanish and Russian.. Jenna is currently the Vice President of Ohio AILA, and a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She has received multiple awards for her pro bono service, notably for her efforts in ending family detention. She is married to Timothy Peyton, and they have two daughters, Margaret and Katherine.
33790 Bainbridge Rd, Suite 209 , Cleveland , Ohio 44139
Practice Areas: Immigration
Heather Drabek Prendergast is a member of Aljijakli, Kosseff & Prendergast, LLC, a boutique immigration law firm with offices in Cleveland, OH and New York, NY. Her practice focuses on: complex removal defense including trials, appeals, and federal court litigation; employment-based immigration for skilled professionals; family-based immigration; asylum; and naturalization. Ms. Prendergast is one of 21 Directors elected to serve on the Board of Governors for the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), a national association of more than 15,000 attorneys and law professors who practice and teach immigration law. From 2015 to 2018, Ms. Prendergast chaired AILA’s National Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Liaison Committee where she met with senior ICE leadership in Washington, D.C. to resolve issues faced by immigrants and their legal counsel when dealing with the agency. She regularly speaks about immigration issues at local, regional, and national conferences, and serves on several conference planning committees as well as AILA’s Department of State Liaison Committee. Ms. Prendergast is an Adjunct Professor at Cleveland State University’s Cleveland-Marshall College of Law where she teaches Immigration & Nationality Law. She is a graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in Cleveland, OH and Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY, and is admitted to practice in Ohio, New York, the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio, and the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is an avid equestrian and runner.
Fabiola Cini, a Partner at Margaret W. Wong & Associates, LLC, received her Law Degree from The University of Tirana Law School in Tirana, Albania in 1997, and her Master of Laws Degree from the Magistrates’ School in Tirana in 2000- the first school of its kind in Albania founded with the support of the European Union. She served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Court of First Instance in Tirana, Albania from 1998-1999 and was thereafter appointed as a judge for the Fier Court of First Instance in Albania where she worked for about three years handling both criminal and civil matters. While attending the Magistrates’ School and working as a Judge in Albania, Mrs. Cini completed several training courses offered by various organizations in Europe such as the European Council of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France; Judicial institutions in Stuttgart, Germany; Zurich, Switzerland; the Legionowo Academy in Poland and the Superior International Institute of Criminal Sciences in Syracuse, Italy with focus on Human Rights, judicial system and fighting against organized crimes. In addition, she participated in professional enhancement programs and obtained certifications in the field of International Secured Transactions, International Public and Trade Law.Mrs. Cini joined the firm and became part of our litigation team in 2005. Having completed an LL.M law degree at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2013, she passed the Ohio Bar in 2014, and joined the firm as an associate attorney. Long familiar with Fabiola Cini’s excellence, the firm was pleased to invite her to shareholder status in 2016. Mrs. Cini represents clients in a variety of immigration cases including but not limited to litigation in Federal District Courts, Courts of Appeals, Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Courts, Department of State and USCIS offices throughout the country . She is also part of the office management.. Mrs. Cini has served as Treasurer for AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) Ohio Chapter Executive Committee and as Ohio Chapter AILA asylum liaison.. She has earned Avvo Client’s Choice Award multiple times and has been included in the 2025 and 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® for her expertise in Immigration Law (top 5% of legal practitioners in private practice throughout the United States). She has also been listed in the Lawyers of Distinction Directory 2025 as a Featured Lawyer.. Classes & Seminars• Adjunct Professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Law teaching Immigration Law. Languages• English• Albanian. Professional Associations• Member of American Immigration Lawyer Association since 2016• State of Ohio Bar, May 2014. EducationCleveland State University, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, OhioLL.M. – 05/2013School of Magistrates, Tirana, Albania, Master of Laws (Magistrate [Judge])2000University of Tirana School of LawLaw Degree – 1997Various training seminars and certificationsInternational Secured Transactions, International Public and Trade LawOther certifications and professional trainings 1999-2002. Bar Admissions• U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit, 2023 (with jurisdiction over federal appeals arising from the states of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee)• U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 2020 (with jurisdiction over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the Virgin Islands)• U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit, 2020 (jurisdiction over federal cases originating in the states of Alabama, Florida and Georgia)• U.S. District Court Northern District of Ohio, 2020• Ohio Bar, 2014• Pro Hac Vice admission in other District Courts
815 Superior Ave E Ste 1225 , Cleveland , Ohio 44114
Practice Areas: Immigration
Erin James is a lawyer from Cleveland, Ohio. While attending Case Western Reserve School of law, Erin served as an Executive Editor of the Journal of Law Technology and the Internet and completed an internship in Uganda. She is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a BA in International Relations. Erin then acquired a Master’s in International Relations from Webster University where she studied in five countries including Switzerland and China. Erin has a passion for serving the immigrant community.
Practice Areas: Business & Commercial, Business Formation, Business , Consumer Fraud, Consumer Protection, Contracts, Employment & Labor , Immigration & Naturalization , Labor , Occupational Safety & Health, Products Liability, Sexual Harassment, Immigration, Immigration
Greetings from Cleveland, Ohio! I am the founder and principal member of a boutique law firm Lougovskaia Boop LLC. We are a full-service firm for small and medium-sized businesses. We represent clients in areas of business and construction disputes, product liability, general business law and immigration law. Feel free to browse our website at or drop me a message at We are also available to meet with clients worldwide via Skype technology.
20600 Chagrin Blvd, Suite 101 , Cleveland , Ohio 44122
Practice Areas: Immigration & Naturalization , Immigration, Immigration
Past National President/Past General Counsel, American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Washington, D.C.; Cleveland, Ohio based immigration attorney; blogger; photographer; educator; world traveler.
Disclaimer: This content is based on aggregated public information and estimated market trends. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
