Free and Low-Cost Immigration Legal Help, by State
1,564 offices of 944 nonprofits that the U.S. Justice Department recognizes to give immigration legal help, and the organizations on its list of free help for immigration court. Pick your state for each office's address and phone number.
From the Justice Department's recognized organizations roster (updated October 25, 2026) and its pro bono list (October 2026 edition). The sources are listed at the end of this page.
Two government lists, and what each one is
Recognized organizations. These are nonprofits the Justice Department has approved to give immigration legal help through accredited representatives; some also have staff attorneys. They must serve mainly people with low incomes, and an organization that charges fees must have a written policy for clients who cannot pay. They can help with applications to USCIS; some can also represent people in immigration court.
The pro bono list. The Justice Department's List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers names non-profits and referral services that have committed to at least 50 hours a year of free legal help at a particular immigration court. It is written for people in court proceedings, and many of the providers focus on deportation defense and on people in detention.
Neither list is a recommendation, and neither says how busy an office is or which cases it takes. Call and ask before you go.
Before you call
- Say what you need help with: the form (for example I-485, I-130, N-400 or a DACA renewal) and any notice you got from USCIS or the court.
- Ask whether they take that kind of case, and whether there is a waiting list.
- Ask about fees. Ask whether they can waive or reduce them if you cannot pay.
- Ask who will work on your case: an attorney or an accredited representative.
- Ask whether someone speaks your language, or whether they use an interpreter.
- Have your receipt number, A-Number and notices nearby.
- Free help often has waiting lists, so contact more than one organization.
Only lawyers and accredited representatives can advise you
In the U.S., a notary public or "notario" is not a lawyer and cannot give immigration legal advice, even though a notario is a lawyer in some other countries. USCIS lists who can: attorneys in good standing with a U.S. state bar, and accredited representatives who work for an organization the Justice Department recognizes.
You can check an attorney on the state bar's website, and an accredited representative on the Justice Department's roster. EOIR also publishes a list of disciplined practitioners.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find a free immigration lawyer?
Start with the nonprofits in your state on this page. Recognized organizations serve mainly people with low incomes, and those that charge fees must have a policy for clients who cannot pay. If you are in immigration court, the organizations on the Justice Department’s pro bono list have committed to free help at that court. Free help is in demand, so contact more than one.
What is a DOJ-accredited representative?
Someone who is not a lawyer but whom the Justice Department has approved to give immigration legal help through a recognized organization. A representative marked “DHS only” on the roster can help with USCIS applications but cannot represent you in immigration court. A fully accredited representative can do both.
Can these organizations help with a green card or citizenship application?
Recognized organizations can help with applications to USCIS, such as family-based green cards, DACA renewals and naturalization. The roster does not say which cases each office takes, so ask when you call.
Does MyCheck recommend these organizations?
No. They come from two public Justice Department lists, and MyCheck does not rank, endorse or vet them. No organization pays to appear here.
How current is this list?
The recognized organizations roster on this page was updated by the Justice Department on October 25, 2026. The pro bono list is the October 2026 edition; EOIR publishes it every January, April, July and October. Offices move and change hours, so call before you go.
Can MyCheck give me legal advice?
No. MyCheck tracks your USCIS case and helps you keep your next steps in order, but it is not a law firm. For advice on your case, talk to an attorney or an accredited representative.
Sources
MyCheck is not a law firm and does not give legal advice. The organizations on this page come from public U.S. Justice Department lists. MyCheck does not endorse or recommend any of them, and no one pays to be listed. Hours, fees and services change, so call before you go. To report a mistake on this page, email info@sfdify.com.
