Top 5 Best Immigration Lawyers in Houston, Board Certified Specialists Leading the Field
After analyzing credentials, board certifications, years of experience, peer recognition, and case specializations, these five Houston immigration attorneys represent the highest level of expertise available. All hold Board Certification in Immigration & Nationality Law from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization—the gold standard only 10% of Texas attorneys achieve.
1. Ruby L. Powers – Powers Law Group, P.C.
Board Certification: Immigration & Nationality Law (TBLS)
Experience: 16+ years practicing immigration law
Location: 5225 Katy Freeway, Suite 300, Houston, TX 77007
Languages: English, Spanish, French
Why She Ranks #1: Ruby Lichte Powers founded Powers Law Group, P.C., a four-attorney firm focusing exclusively on immigration law. She represents the complete package: board certification, international experience, and leadership in the immigration law community.
Practice Areas:
- Waivers of inadmissibility
- Asylum and deportation defense
- Family-based petitions
- Employment-based immigration
Distinguishing Credentials:
- AILA Texas Chapter Advocacy Chair
- AILA Media Advocacy Committee member
- Studied and lived in Mexico, Spain, Belgium, Turkey, and UAE
- University of Texas undergraduate, UNC School of Law
- Active involvement in immigration policy advocacy
Powers brings international perspective from living in five countries, combined with deep knowledge of Houston immigration court procedures. Her leadership roles in AILA demonstrate peer recognition as one of Houston’s top immigration authorities.
2. Adan G. Vega – Law Offices of Adan G. Vega & Associates, PLLC
Board Certification: Immigration & Nationality Law (TBLS) for over 30 years
Experience: 30+ years exclusively practicing immigration law
Recognition: H Texas Magazine “Top Lawyers”
Languages: English, Spanish
Why He’s Among Houston’s Best: Adan Vega has maintained board certification for over three decades—longer than most immigration attorneys have practiced law. This extraordinary longevity demonstrates sustained commitment to immigration law specialization and ethical excellence.
Practice Areas:
- Family-based immigration
- Naturalization and citizenship
- Adjustment of status
- Deportation defense and appeals
- Individual and business immigration cases
Distinguishing Credentials:
- Founding director of Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Named “Top Lawyers” by H Texas Magazine
- 30+ years of board certification (recertified every 5 years)
- Deep community involvement and leadership
Vega’s three decades of board-certified practice provide unmatched institutional knowledge of Houston immigration courts, USCIS procedures, and policy changes spanning multiple presidential administrations.
3. Olsa Alikaj-Cano – Cano Immigration, PLLC
Board Certification: Immigration & Nationality Law (TBLS)
Experience: 20+ years immigration law experience
Languages: English, Spanish, Albanian
Specialization: Complex and challenging deportation cases
Why She Stands Out: Olsa Alikaj-Cano takes pride in representing clients with the most challenging and complicated cases that other firms won’t handle. She’s willing to litigate cases all the way to the Supreme Court when immigrants’ rights are violated.
Practice Areas:
- Deportation defense and removal proceedings
- Family-based visas and permanent residency
- Employment-based visas
- Federal Court litigation
- Circuit Court appeals
Distinguishing Credentials:
- American Immigration Lawyers Association member
- Represents cases other firms decline
- Federal Court and Supreme Court litigation experience
- Dedicated to comprehensive immigration reform advocacy
- Active in pro-bono community work
Alikaj-Cano’s commitment to fighting difficult cases and challenging government decisions makes her ideal for clients facing complex deportation defense or cases involving prior immigration violations.
4. Joseph J. Davis – Davis & Associates
Board Certification: Immigration & Nationality Law (TBLS)
Practice Focus: Business immigration and family-based cases
Location: Houston (exclusive immigration law focus)
Why He’s Highly Regarded: Joseph Davis leads a firm that focuses exclusively on immigration law, providing specialized expertise rather than general practice services. His board certification and exclusive immigration focus ensure clients receive dedicated attention from true specialists.
Practice Areas:
- Business immigration and work visas
- Investor visas (E-2, EB-5)
- Family sponsorships and green cards
- Citizenship applications
- Deportation defense
- Immigration appeals to Board of Immigration Appeals
Distinguishing Credentials:
- Works with clients globally seeking U.S. immigration
- Exclusive focus on immigration law (no general practice)
- Experienced with Houston immigration court procedures
- Strategic business immigration planning for companies
- Assists businesses hiring foreign workers for specialty positions
Davis’s exclusive immigration focus and business immigration expertise make him particularly valuable for companies navigating Labor Certification requirements and employment-based visa petitions.
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5. Kathryn N. Karam – Law Office of Kathryn N. Karam, PC
Board Certification: Immigration & Nationality Law (TBLS)
Experience: 18+ years practicing immigration law
Location: 4888 Loop Central Drive, Suite 450, Houston, TX
Educational Background: Trinity University (BA in Chinese), Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Center (Certificate in Chinese Studies), University of Texas School of Law (JD)
Why She Makes the Top 5: Kathryn Karam combines board certification with unique cultural and linguistic expertise. Her Chinese language fluency and Asian cultural understanding provide distinct advantages for Houston’s large Asian immigrant community.
Practice Areas:
- Family-based immigration matters
- Adjustment of status applications
- Naturalization and citizenship
- Consular processing
- Removal defense
Distinguishing Credentials:
- Fluent in Mandarin Chinese
- Johns Hopkins-Nanjing University Chinese studies certificate
- Founded independent practice in 2013
- Represents clients throughout Harris County
- University of Texas School of Law graduate
Karam’s Chinese language skills and cultural understanding make her particularly valuable for Houston’s Chinese, Taiwanese, and Asian immigrant communities navigating complex immigration processes.
What Makes These Five Houston’s Best Immigration Lawyers?
All Five Share These Essential Qualifications:
- Board Certification in Immigration & Nationality Law – Only 10% of Texas attorneys achieve this distinction, requiring:
- 5+ years legal practice with 3+ years immigration focus
- Minimum 25% annual practice devoted to immigration law
- 60+ hours specialized continuing legal education
- Passing score on comprehensive 6-hour examination
- Recertification every five years
- American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Membership – Active participation in the premier immigration law organization
- Houston Immigration Court Experience – Proven track record practicing before Houston’s three immigration courts
- Specialized Focus – Exclusive or substantial dedication to immigration law rather than general practice
- Peer Recognition – Awards, leadership positions, and recognition from legal community
- Proven Success Rates – Demonstrated results in obtaining approvals, defeating deportations, and winning appeals
Matching the Right Attorney to Your Case Type
Choose Ruby L. Powers if: You need comprehensive immigration services, asylum defense, or waiver applications, and value leadership in immigration advocacy.
Choose Adan Vega if: You want Houston’s longest-tenured board certified immigration specialist with over 30 years of institutional knowledge.
Choose Olsa Alikaj-Cano if: You’re facing complicated deportation proceedings, have criminal issues affecting your immigration case, or need aggressive Federal Court litigation.
Choose Joseph J. Davis if: You’re a business seeking employment-based visas, investor immigration, or need strategic corporate immigration planning.
Choose Kathryn N. Karam if: You’re part of Houston’s Asian immigrant community and value Chinese language fluency and cultural understanding.
How These Rankings Were Determined
These rankings prioritize:
- Board Certification (mandatory requirement)
- Years of immigration law experience
- Specialization focus (percentage of practice devoted to immigration)
- Houston immigration court experience
- AILA membership and leadership
- Peer recognition and awards
- Range of immigration services offered
- Client testimonials and reviews
- Community involvement and advocacy
Important Note: The “best” Houston immigration lawyer for YOUR specific case depends on your individual circumstances. An attorney specializing in asylum may not be the best choice for business immigration, and vice versa. Schedule consultations with multiple board certified attorneys before making your final selection.
Red Flags: Even Top-Ranked Attorneys Must Meet Your Standards
Even when consulting these highly qualified attorneys, you should still:
- Verify current State Bar of Texas license status
- Confirm board certification hasn’t expired
- Ask about their specific experience with your case type
- Understand their fee structure and payment terms
- Ensure clear communication and responsiveness
- Get written retainer agreements before paying fees
- Feel comfortable with their proposed strategy
The immigration lawyer-client relationship requires trust, communication, and aligned expectations. If any attorney—regardless of credentials—doesn’t meet your standards during initial consultation, continue your search.
Verification Resources:
- Texas Board of Legal Specialization: www.tbls.org
- State Bar of Texas: www.texasbar.com
- American Immigration Lawyers Association: www.aila.org
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or attorney recommendations. Immigration lawyer qualifications, case outcomes, and attorney selection may vary based on individual circumstances and case specifics. Consult the State Bar of Texas, review attorney credentials independently, and schedule consultations with multiple Houston immigration attorneys before making hiring decisions.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a legal writer with experience in immigration and migration law, covering topics like green cards, marriage-based visas, and asylum applications. Through All About Lawyer, she provides straightforward legal insights to help individuals and families navigate complex immigration processes with clarity and confidence.
Read more about Sarah