Christopher Helt

Bar / Professional Activity

• Member of the bar, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2025
• National Trial Lawyers President, Immigration Law Specialty Association. https://thenationaltriallawyers.org/article/welcome-to-incoming-2025-sa-presidents/  https://ntlil.org/, 2025
• Adjunct faculty member, Loyola University of Chicago
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers' Association (AILA)., 2026
• Guest Lecturer Loyola University of Chicago. Islam and U.S. Immigration. April 19, 2019. Islamic World History Course., 2019
• Member, American Immigration Lawyers Association, 1998 – present, 2026
• Member, Federal Trial Bar for the Northern District of Illinois, 1994 – present
• Member, 2nd Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, 9th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, U.S. Supreme Court
• Member, American Bar Association, 1990 – present
• Member, 6th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, 7th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, Loyola Academy Bar Association, 2013 – present
• Member, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
• Illinois, 1994
• Member, Chicago Bar Association, 1994 – present
• Member, 5th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, 11th Federal Circuit Court of Appeals

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Hui Ran Mu v. Barr, 936 F.3d 929 (9th 2019).  Derivative beneficiaries of an alien entrepreneur in the immigrant investor program (EB-5 program), who receive conditional legal permanent resident ("LPR") status, are entitled to the same review rights in removal proceedings as the alien entrepreneur. 8 C.F.R. § 216.6(d)(2). Thus, in removal proceedings, an immigration judge's ("IJ") failure to review the denial of an I-829 petition (even though the alien is a beneficiary of the petition) is error., 2019
• TYSZKA v. Bondi (1:25-cv-12062). District Court, N.D. Illinois. ORDER: Petitioner is a noncitizen with no criminal record who has lived in the United States for over twenty-five years. 2. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ("ICE") is currently detaining Tyszka pending removal proceedings and has denied Tyszka access to a bond hearing. Id. 3. Tyszka petitions this Court under 28 U.S.C. § 2241 to issue a writ of habeas corpus ordering Respondents to schedule a bond hearing. Id.  For the reasons stated below, the § 2241 petition for a writ of habeas corpus is granted. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71528606/tyszka-v-bondi/, 2025
• KHAIDAPOV v. Bondi (1:26-cv-01739) District Court, N.D. Illinois. The Court orders government to provide Khaidapov with a release hearing under § 1226(a) within five days of the judgment entered in this case or otherwise to release him. https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72287271/khaidapov-v-bondi/  , 2026
• Lopez-Valdez v. Arnott (6:25-cv-03365) District Court, W.D. Missouri Federal district court order granting Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus.  ORDERED:  Release Petitioner or grant him a bond hearing within ten (10) days of this Order. Respondents are enjoined from relocating Petitioner outside the jurisdiction of the Court prior to compliance with Order. FURTHER ORDERED that Petitioner may file motion for an award of attorneys' fees and costs under the Equal Access to Justice Act https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71984253/lopez-valdez-v-arnott/, 2025
• Aslum Granted to 13-year-old girl.  U.S. immigration judge grants asylum to child refugee from Honduras. In the matter of Marjorie Urbina-Contreras. 2018. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-met-contreras-immigration-hearing-20180227-story.html, 2018
• Asylum granted to 9-year-old girl.U.S. Asylum Office grants asylum to 9-year-old girl.  https://abc7chicago.com/society/9-year-old-girl-from-honduras-granted-asylum-in-us/970642/ https://abc7chicago.com/news/9-year-old-girl-from-honduras-seeks-us-asylum/778816/   https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/asylum-seekers-jeff-sessions-policy-change-domestic-abuse-gang-violence-1.4401271, 2015
• In Matter of Hasan Meghani (BIA 2014)
• Merchant v. US Attorney General, 461 F.3d 1375 (11th Cir. 2006)
• Noorani v. U.S. Attorney General, (11th 2006)
• 78 No. 13 Interpreter Releases 604 (2001)

Videos

• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals oral argument (YouTube video). May 14th 2019   Oral argument 9th circuit Court of Appeals. Immigration matter.    Hui Mu v. Barr, Hui Mu v. Attorney General Barr. 9th circuit Court of Appeals oral argument Immigration, Law, 2019
• LOCAL ADVOCATES ASK TRUMP ADMIN. TO REINSTATE VENEZUELANS' TPS, STOP DEPORTATIONS AMID UNCERTAINTY An estimated 50,000 Venezuelan migrants settled in Illinois over the last three years after being bused there from Texas.More than 13,000 Venezuelans were deported by the Trump administration last year after their Temporary Protected Status was revoked. Advocates are now calling for those deportations to be halted and TPS reinstated, at least until the situation on the ground stabilizes. The administration signaled over the weekend, however, that they intend to do no such thing., ABC7 News, National News, Venezuela, Immigration Law, 2026
• National Trial Lawyers Video “Learn Effective Immigration Law Strategies A Message From Christopher Helt.”Direct examination, Learn Effective Immigration Law Strategies, Immigration Law, 2024
• Case of boy seeking asylum from gang violence in Honduras delayed, Case of boy seeking asylum from gang violence in Honduras delayed, Immigration, 2019
• Univision National TV interview of Christopher Helt.Christopher Helt guest on Univision national morning TV show discussing child refugee cas, Univision TV national morning show guest and interview. Christopher Helt and unaccompanied minor client interview on Univision national morning TV show., 2015
• Christopher Interview on Dan Rather's Eye of America (CBS News)
• WBEZ National Public Radio Interview, world premiere of Patriot Acts at the Gene Siskel Film Center., WBEZ National Public Radio Interview
• Documentary was made about the harsh realities of U.S. mostly-Muslim "Special Registration" program, entitled Patriot Acts. The film received three-stars (3) from the Chicago Tribune and was featured on the cover of its film section., Patriot Acts, 2004
• Winning Asylum, Chicago Reporter Cover Story
• CBS News Chicago Video, Muslim Community Reacts To Scrutiny: Many Muslims Feel Like Targets When Terror Plots Surface, CBS News Chicago Interview of Christopher Helt, 2007
• 9-year-old girl from Honduras granted US asylum https://abc7chicago.com/society/9-year-old-girl-from-honduras-granted-asylum-in-us/970642/https://abc7chicago.com/news/9-year-old-girl-from-honduras-seeks-us-asylum/778816/, 9-year-old girl from Honduras seeks US asylum, Immigration Law, 2015
• Christopher Helt interview on Morning With Farah Show (Pakistan), 2013

Transactions

• In Matter of Urbina-Contreras.  (IJ Decision March 30, 2018). Immigration judge grants asylum to Honduran teen-activist who fled gang violence at 13, 2018

Pro bono / Community Service

• Child refugee attorney for Central American children.  Pro Bono., 2021
• Active member, ABA's Military Pro Bono Project, 2022
• Serves as pro bono general counsel and a board member to the Chicago FBI Explorers (Edwin C. Shanahan Memorial Post 1920), 2021

Educational Background

• Loyola Academy, Loyola University Chicago, Loyola Univeristy Chicago School of Law

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Invited speaker to undergraduate, master and Phd-candidate students, asylum and other immigration issues, Loyola University Chicago, Lecturer, Guest Lecturer Loyola Univerisity Chicago, 2020
• Author,  Representing Non-Citizens Facing Immigration Consequences of Their Judgment / Plea. Book overview:  A criminal conviction is never just a criminal conviction for a non-citizen.For millions of individuals living in the United States without citizenship, even routine state-court dispositions can trigger mandatory detention, removal, and permanent separation from family and community. Representing Non-Citizens Facing Immigration Consequences of Their Judgment/Plea gives criminal defense attorneys the tools to recognize these risks early-before a plea is entered, before a sentence is imposed, and before options disappear forever.   ISBN-13 978-1966968726  , Author, Representing Non-Citizens Facing Immigration Consequences of Their Judgment / Plea, Owl Publishing, Law, 2026
• Post Conviction Relief for Non-citizens https://ntlsummit.com/agenda-highlights/, Speaker and Moderator, 2026 Trial Lawyers Annual Summit Conference, National Trial Lawyers, Immigration, 2026
•  2018-2022 selection into Lawyers of Distinction.  Selection Lawyers of Distinction    , Membership, Selection in Lawyers of Distinction (Immigration Law), Lawyers of Distinction, Law, 2022
• Advised the (Chicago) Mayor's deputy chief of staff and the City of Chicago Department of Consumer Services on immigration issues during "Special Registration"
• Author, Terrorists Strike Pakistan: Changed Country Conditions And Filing A Motion To Reopen Or BIA Remand, A Practice Advisory (ILW 2007), www.ilw.com/articles/2007,1101-helt.shtm, Immigration Lawyers Weekly, 2007
• Immigration Reform On The Minds Of Lawmakers, The Public And Now The High Court: How Will The Court Rule With Alito And Roberts On The Bench, American Immigration, LLC, (ILW.com), 2006
• Practice Advisory: Response To ILW.COM's articles/comments concerning the AR-11 issue", American Immigration, LLC, (ILW.com)  , 2002
• Guest lecuturer, Immigration & Islam in The United States Islamic History Course (Dept of History), Immigration, 2014
• Symposium Loyola University, A Person to Person History: 9/11 Survivors Visit Loyola University, 2010
• Symposium Loyola University, 9/11 Survivors Visit Loyola, 2009
• Law and Ethics, Criminal Justice Ethics...tough decisions for lawyers, judges, police and other professionals

Other Outstanding Achievements

• National Advocates Top 100.  Lawyer Profile | The National Advocates, 2022
• Selection in Lawyers of Distinction Lawyers of Distinction: 2021 Distinguished Lawyer., 2022
• Unaccompanied minor is granted us asylum in a nationally publicized case. Unaccompanied minor is granted us asylum by immigration judge. National coverage and Chicago Tribune front page story and video, 2018
• "Serb Army Deserter Faces Trial" (Associated Press, 5/18/99), first to successfully win an asylum claim based on a child's autism in 2001
• Chicago Tribune Cover Story, Immigration judge grants asylum to Honduran teen-activist who fled gang violence at 13, 2018
• Appeared on the front page of the New York Times (10/13/97) and featured in Time Magazine ("Does This Boy Deserve Asylum")
• Twice-qualified as an expert witness in federal jury trials for immigration/asylum-related matters
• Appeared on the front page of November 2015 Chicago Tribune article,  "Honduran teen, who entered U.S. as unaccompanied child, awaits word on fate." http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-unaccompanied-minors-honduras-update-met-20151113-story.html, 2015
• Appeared on the covers of Chicago Lawyer Magazine ("New Era of Immigration Law")
• Appeared on local, national television and national radio news programs (CNN, WBBM-TV, WLS, FOX NEWS, BBC and NPR radio)
• Appeared on national ABC, NBC, CBS news and news programs
• Appeared in CNN national news, "Collateral Damage of the War on Terrorism"

Firm News (Newsletters)

• Helt Law Group, LLC.'s e-newsletter., The Helt Law Group, LLC. newletter

Honors

• Attorney & Practice Magazine Top 10 Immigration Law Attorney, Top 10 Attorney Immigration Law, Attorney & Practice Magazine Top 10 Immigration Law Attorney, 2019
• AVVO 10.0 Rating (Highest)., AVVO 10.0 Attorney Rating, https://www.avvo.com/attorneys/60606-il-christopher-helt-1170873.html, 2022
• American Institute of Trial Lawyers Selection, Litigator of the Year 2021 (Immigration), Litigator of the Year, American Institute of Trial Lawyers (AIOTL), 2021
• 2022 AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell.  https://www.martindale.com/chicago/illinois/christopher-helt-934823-a/, AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubble, 2026
• The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers (Immigration Law) , Top 100 Lawyers (Immigration Law), The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers, 2022
• Justia 10.0 Rating 2020, Justia 10.0 Rating, Justia, 2026
• FBI Director's Community Leadership Award, FBI, 2014
• 2022 Selection into Lawyers of Distinction.  Lawyers of Distinction 2021 Selection, Induction in Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction, 2022
• 2021 ALM Top Rated Lawyer, ALM's Top Rated Lawyer, ALM, 2021
• Who's Who in American Law, Marquis, 2001
• 2016 Humanitarian Award.  Given by the Illinois LULAC Immigration Committee, for pro bono work with Honduran refugee families and Unaccompanied Children (UACs)., League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) of Illinois, 2016

Awards

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Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com

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Gold: This award is granted to attorneys who have received at least 6 client reviews, and have an average review score of 4.2 or higher.

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AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.

Industry Groups

• Law