Free Immigration Legal Help in District of Columbia
14 nonprofits recognized by the U.S. Justice Department to give immigration legal help have 18 offices in District of Columbia, in Washington.
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.
Nonprofits recognized by the Justice Department
Each can give immigration legal help through accredited representatives, and some also have staff attorneys. They help with applications to USCIS, and some also represent people in immigration court.
Washington
African Communities Together
Principal Office
700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Second FloorWashington, DC 20003Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
Principal Office
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 701Washington, DC 20036AsylumWorks
Principal Office
1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300Washington, DC 20009Ayuda
Principal Office
PO Box 66786Washington, DC 20035Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Principal Office
924 G Street, NWWashington, DC 20001-4532Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Monroe Street - Washington, D.C. Extension Office
1618 Monroe Street, NWWashington, DC 20010Catholic Immigration Service, Inc.
Principal Office
1720 I Street, NW, Suite 607AWashington, DC 20006Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) - Washington, DC Office
Principal Office
1460 Columbia Rd., NW, Suite C-1Washington, DC 20009Human Rights First
Washington, DC Extension Office
805 15th Street, NW, Suite 900Washington, DC 20005Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Principal Office
1750 H Street NW, Suite 600, Box #24Washington, DC 20006Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Principal Office
P.O. Box 27839Washington, DC 20038Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Washington DC Extension Office
1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 712Washington, DC 20036Nigerian Center Inc.
Principal Office
1231 Marion Barry Ave SEWashington, DC 20020Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC International)
Principal Office
4121 Harewood Road NE, Suite BWashington, DC 20017Trabajadores Unidos de Washington D.C. (Workers United of Washington D.C.)
Principal Office
1419 V Street NW, Suite 305Washington, DC 20009Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health
Principal Office
1377 R Street, NW, Suite 200Washington, DC 20009Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health
14th Street NW / Washington, DC Extension Office
1525 14th Street NWWashington, DC 20005Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health
Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE / Washington, D.C. Extension Office
2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SEWashington, DC 20020
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 get free immigration legal help in District of Columbia?
14 nonprofits recognized by the U.S. Justice Department to give immigration legal help have 18 offices in District of Columbia, in Washington. Recognized organizations serve mainly people with low incomes, and those that charge fees must have a policy for clients who cannot pay.
Are these District of Columbia organizations free?
Not always. Some recognized organizations charge low fees, and each one that charges must have a written policy for people who cannot pay. Providers on the pro bono list give free help to people in immigration court. Ask about fees when you call.
Can they help with my 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. Representatives marked “DHS only” on the roster can help with USCIS but cannot represent you in immigration court.
Does MyCheck recommend any of them?
No. Every organization here comes from a public Justice Department list. MyCheck does not rank or vet them, and none pays to be listed.
Legal help in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- Puerto Rico
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.
