It is important to get legal advice when applying for an immigration benefit or if you are detained. Many organizations offer free or low-cost legal help with an immigration lawyer or accredited representative. Learn how to find trustworthy help and how you can represent yourself.
Updated January 24, 2024Legal help is advice about laws and representation in court. Lawyers, attorneys, and accredited representatives can offer legal help. In the USA, the terms lawyer and attorney are often used in the same way.
Lawyers specialize in different areas such as personal injury, criminal law, real estate, and family matters. This page focuses on immigration help but also offers a few resources for other legal needs.
| Pro bono is work done by a lawyer for free. It is legal help usually offered to people with low income. |
You are not required to have a lawyer but the immigration process in the United States is complicated. An immigration lawyer can help you submit immigration forms and defend you in court. You have better chances with legal help.
An immigration lawyer can work to get you immigration benefits such as a Green Card, asylum, or citizenship. They can help you:
You can get legal help at any time. If you are looking for help changing your immigration status, it is best to have someone review your application before you send it in. There are not always enough immigration lawyers available for every case. It can sometimes take a while to find the right help.
It is important to get legal help if you are in removal proceedings in immigration court. The government does not assign free counsel to people in immigration proceedings. You will be provided a list of free or low-cost legal services you can contact.
There are other situations, beyond immigration, where having a lawyer is important. This can include family law matters, employment or housing issues, criminal cases, understanding legal documents and contracts, problems getting public benefits, personal injury claims, and starting a business.
The following professionals can give legal advice and services in immigration and citizenship cases:
Both an immigration lawyer and a fully accredited representative can represent you before DHS, USCIS, EOIR (immigration court), and the BIA (immigration appeals). A partially accredited representative can only represent you before USCIS.
If you are looking for help with an immigration case, make sure to talk to a lawyer who is experienced in immigration law. A lawyer who does not specialize in immigration law may not give you the right advice.
Also, be aware that some businesses pretend to offer reliable legal services to get money. There are some simple things you can do to protect yourself.
| A sliding fee scale means the cost of a lawyer’s service depends on your income. The less money you make at your job, the less you pay for legal help. |
Avoid scams and be careful of anyone who:
Know how to protect yourself from notarios and fake websites. Learn what to do if you have been a victim of fraud.
You can find immigration lawyers and DOJ-accredited representatives who offer free or low-cost help through nonprofit organizations and immigration legal clinics. You can also ask people you trust for recommendations.
Resource HelpDirectory of immigration lawyers. Each may charge different fees depending on your case. Contact them directly to find out if they offer a free consultation
Asylum Seeker Advocacy ProjectBecoming an ASAP member provides you with free access to expert immigration attorneys, other asylum seekers, and critical resources
Get connected with free, live, online legal help to support your citizenship process Offers a list of pro bono legal service providers for each stateOnline directory of nonprofit organizations offering free or low-cost immigration legal services. Search for legal help by state, zip code, detention facility, area of immigration, and types of services
Offers legal resources for LGBTQ+ and/or HIV-positive immigrant communities, including information about asylum and detention
Offers legal help for Afghan newcomersPhone number for refugees and asylum seekers to speak to someone for help. Call 202-461-2356 or #566 from a detention facility phone
USAHello border resource list Find organizations and helplines if you or a loved one are detained or separated from familyIf you are looking for legal help outside the USA, find information on our international help page.
Find legal help, English classes, health clinics, housing support, and more. Search a local map and list of services for immigrants in the USA with the app FindHello.
If you are representing yourself in immigration court, there are resources to help you.
| Pro se is a term used when someone is representing themself in court and they do not have legal counsel. It is Latin for “on one’s own behalf.” |
There is legal help available in areas outside of immigration. Many legal aid offices offer free or low-cost help to people who have problems with consumer issues, family and domestic violence, housing, public benefits, and employment.
Everyone has the right to legal help. You will not be appointed a free lawyer in immigration court. It is your responsibility to get legal help. You will be given a list of free or low-cost legal service providers in immigration court.
You can file complaints against your lawyer with their state bar or with the Executive Office for Immigration Review. You can change lawyers if your attorney is not explaining your options in immigration proceedings or is not submitting the required documentation. You or your new attorney can ask for a copy of your case file.
You should report immigration scams to USCIS, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or the Federal Trade Commission.
The information on this page comes from LawHelp.org, the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Department of Justice, UNHCR, and other trusted sources. We aim to offer easy to understand information that is updated regularly. This information is not legal advice.
