Losing your immigration attorney is not just an inconvenience. Depending on where your case stands, it can feel like the floor dropping out from under you. Deadlines keep running. USCIS does not pause your case because your lawyer closed shop. And if you have hearings pending before an immigration court, the pressure to find qualified representation quickly can be overwhelming. We have worked with clients in exactly this situation, and the most important thing we can tell you right now is this: do not wait.
If you are in Chicago or anywhere in the Chicagoland area and you are trying to figure out what your options even are, start by understanding the basics of what immigration law actually covers and where your case fits within it. Different case types carry different timelines and risk levels. A pending green card application is not the same as an active removal proceeding. Knowing that distinction helps you prioritize.
What Happened with Alexandra Lozano?
This situation is not hypothetical. In 2026, immigration clients across the country found themselves without representation almost overnight, and the circumstances were genuinely alarming.
Alexandra Lozano, who operated a large immigration firm, had built a massive national client base. According to records from the Washington State Bar Association, the firm had more than 35,000 clients. Then, within a matter of weeks, many of those clients were left needing new counsel.
On May 26, 2026, Lozano resigned from the State Bar of Washington in lieu of discipline and is permanently barred from practicing law in Washington. Her firm closed on June 10, 2026, and on June 18, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals suspended her from practice before the Department of Homeland Security, the Immigration Courts, and the Board itself.
The allegations that led to this outcome were serious. The Washington State Bar Association and a federal civil lawsuit brought by former clients allege, among other things, that non-attorney staff used sales scripts with false promises of “100% protection,” and that applications were filed without an attorney reviewing the strategy. The lawsuit also alleged that she submitted documents with client signatures without their review, filed green card applications with false information, charged exorbitant fees, and devised legal strategies relying solely on a computer program without her or other attorneys at her firm reviewing the files.
And the fallout for clients? Some clients said they are facing deportation because of allegedly false claims filed on their behalf. That is the real-world consequence of what happens when attorney oversight breaks down at scale.
To clarify one important point: the allegations described above come from bar disciplinary records and pending civil litigation. Courts have not yet issued final rulings on all claims. The impact on clients is very real regardless of how the legal proceedings ultimately resolve.
What Are Your Rights When an Attorney Drops Your Case?
Illinois law does provide some framework here, though the specifics depend heavily on the stage of your case. Generally speaking, attorneys have professional obligations when ending a client relationship. They cannot simply walk away without taking reasonable steps to protect your interests. That typically includes returning your file, notifying you of any pending deadlines, and giving you enough time to find new counsel.
In a situation like the Alexandra Lozano’s closure, where thousands of clients were essentially notified simultaneously that services had ended, those individual protections became very difficult to enforce in practice. If you were a client of Alexandra Lozano Immigration Law, your immigration case is still active and your deadlines are still running. That is not a legal technicality. Missing a response window from USCIS or failing to appear for a scheduled hearing can have serious consequences for your case, regardless of why you lacked representation.
So what should you actually do? A few things matter here. First, get your file. You are entitled to the documents in your case, and you should request them in writing as soon as possible. Second, update your mailing address with USCIS if your attorney’s address was on file as your contact point. Third, find out exactly where your case stands, including any pending notices or upcoming deadlines.
People assume that because a firm closed, USCIS will give them extra time. That is generally not how it works. The agency may have some flexibility in limited circumstances, but counting on that flexibility as a strategy is risky.
How Can Borjas Law Group, LLC Help After Your Immigration Attorney Closes Their Practice?
If your immigration attorney suddenly closed their practice, withdrew from your case, or left you without representation, figuring out what happened to your case should be the priority. You may have already paid fees, submitted applications or supporting documents, and trusted someone else to keep track of important deadlines. Now, you may not even know whether everything was filed correctly or what needs to happen next.
Borjas Law Group, LLC can help you get those answers.
We work with immigration clients across the United States. If you were previously represented by Alexandra Lozano or another attorney or firm that closed or withdrew from your case, we can review your file, determine where your case currently stands, and identify any deadlines, missing information, or potential concerns with previous filings.
That review can be especially important if you are unsure what your former attorney submitted on your behalf. Rather than assuming everything was handled correctly or trying to piece together the case yourself, you can have an immigration attorney look at what was filed and explain what your options are moving forward.
Contact Borjas Law Group, LLC early. We can review your situation and help you understand what needs to happen next. With immigration deadlines continuing even after an attorney stops representing you, reaching out sooner can help you avoid losing valuable time.
