The RegistryCounty Record · California
Immigration Lawyers in Contra Costa County, California
Every immigration lawyer and immigration attorney listing on this page traces back to the State Bar of California's official roll, filtered to immigration matters arising in Contra Costa County. Verification describes profile identity, not quality or outcomes.
An East Bay county of more than a million residents stretching from the Carquinez Strait refineries to the Highway 4 and 680 suburbs; the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez anchors its civil calendars. Venue for most immigration matters arising in the county lies with the Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa, seated at Martinez.
Deadlines shape these cases before merits do — 30 days to appeal an immigration judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals (8 C.F.R. § 1003.38). Immigration law is federal. Other hard deadlines include the one-year asylum filing rule (8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B)) and strict motion-to-reopen windows (8 C.F.R. § 1003.23).
This page is the Contra Costa County chapter of the registry's statewide record — Immigration Lawyers in California collects all 58 counties.
The clock & the court
30 days to appeal an immigration judge's decision to the Board of Immigration Appeals.
8 C.F.R. § 1003.38
Immigration law is federal. Other hard deadlines include the one-year asylum filing rule (8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B)) and strict motion-to-reopen windows (8 C.F.R. § 1003.23).
Superior Court of California, County of Contra Costa.
County seat: Martinez
Official court information, locations, and filing rules: contracosta.courts.ca.gov
Immigration · Contra Costa County roster
123 attorneys on the official State Bar of California roll list immigration among their practice areas with an address of record in Contra Costa County.
116 of them hold an active licence; the remainder are recorded as inactive and are not currently eligible to practise.
The roster concentrates in Walnut Creek (32), Concord (27), Martinez (9) and Lafayette (7).
7 hold a State Bar Certified Legal Specialist designation — a certification issued by the State Bar's Board of Legal Specialization, and not a rating or a ranking.
18 are recorded as taking client work in a language other than English.
Admission years on this roster run from 1973 to 2025.
The employers most represented here are Contra Costa County Public Defender (3), Contra Costa Public Defender's Office (3) and Bankston Immigration Law Office (2).
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Immigration questions, cited
How long do I have to apply for asylum in the United States?
Generally one year from your last arrival, under 8 U.S.C. § 1158(a)(2)(B). Exceptions exist for changed circumstances affecting eligibility or extraordinary circumstances that delayed filing. Asylum applicants may apply for work authorization after the application has been pending the statutory waiting period (8 C.F.R. § 208.7).
What is the difference between a green card and citizenship?
A green card confers lawful permanent residence — the right to live and work in the U.S. indefinitely — but it can be lost through abandonment or certain convictions. Naturalized citizenship under 8 U.S.C. § 1427 (INA § 316) generally requires five years as a permanent resident (three if married to a U.S. citizen, INA § 319), plus physical presence, good moral character, and passing the civics and English tests.
Can I appeal if an immigration judge orders me removed?
Yes. An appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals must be received within 30 calendar days of the immigration judge's decision (8 C.F.R. § 1003.38). An adverse BIA decision can then be challenged by petition for review in the federal court of appeals within 30 days (8 U.S.C. § 1252). Deadlines in this sequence are strictly enforced.
Does a criminal conviction affect my immigration status in California?
It can, severely — certain convictions trigger removability or inadmissibility under 8 U.S.C. § 1227 and § 1182, including "aggravated felonies" and crimes involving moral turpitude. California law requires courts to advise non-citizen defendants of immigration consequences before a plea (Cal. Penal Code § 1016.5), and Penal Code § 1473.7 allows some to vacate pleas taken without understanding those consequences.
How does family-based immigration work?
U.S. citizens may petition for spouses, children, parents, and siblings; permanent residents for spouses and unmarried children (8 U.S.C. § 1153). "Immediate relatives" of citizens have visas always available, while preference categories wait for a priority date to become current on the State Department's monthly Visa Bulletin — waits vary from months to decades depending on category and country.
Legal information, not legal advice.
From the answer files
Related counsel in Contra Costa County
Immigration in nearby counties
Source: 8 C.F.R. § 1003.38 · State Bar of California licensee records · Checked: · Maintained by the California Attorney Registry from official State Bar of California records. Legal information, not legal advice.
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