Immigration cases of all kinds can be financially taxing and detrimental to the welfare of the individuals and families involved. It is estimated that fees range between $370 and $12,000 depending on the nature of your case, often not including the costs of USCIS applications. For this reason, we made this list of Pro-Bono Lawyers And Legal Immigration Services.
While it is not required for an individual to have legal representation, it is highly recommended.
All of the following organizations that provide pro-bono lawyers are non-profit, unless otherwise noted in parentheses next to their name. Referral Service implies that the case will be forwarded to an attorney/organization that can take the case.
Please note: some organizations require appointments to see a pro-bono lawyer and may not take walk-ins. Please see information below their names for additional details and to contact them directly.
Also read: What Happens If a Landlord Is Threatening With Evictions and Calling ICE?
What Does Pro Bono Mean?
“Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” The term generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost.” Meaning that pro-bono lawyers will work for the “public good” for free or for an affordable cost.
Due to the high demand of individuals in need, some of the organizations may not be available to take your case at the moment.
Pro Bono Lawyers in Buffalo & Batavia, New York
American Bar Association Detention and LOP Information Line
ABA offers services for detained respondents who are representing themselves in court and do not have a lawyer. To access the services from a detention center, dial 2150#
Email: immcenter@americanbar.org | Website
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New York
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester is a non-profit organization offering services to non-detained individuals with the following cases: removal proceedings, Asylum, DACA, TPS, VAWA, U&T Visas, SIJS, Naturalization, and Green Card renewals.
NOTE: These services are not available for detained respondents or consular processing cases.
Services are available in French, Nepali, and Spanish to residents in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties.
Address: One West Main St, Suite 800 Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 232-4090 | Fax: (585) 232-2352 | Website
Prisoners’ Legal Services of New york
PLSNY offers services for all kinds of immigration cases for non-detained and detained individuals. The services provided are available in multiple languages.
Buffalo: 14 Lafayette Square, Suite 510 Buffalo, NY 14203 | Tel: (716) 844-8266 | Fax: (716) 854-1008
Albany: 41 State St. Suite M112 Albany, NY 12207 | Tel: (518) 694-8699 | Fax: (518) 694-4281
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
This non-profit offers services for low-income detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility (BFDF), and non-detained individuals and women within their funding guidelines. There are two different contacts, depending on your situation:
Women and non-detained should call (716) 847-0662 ext. 301
Men detained at BFDF should call (716) 847-0752
Address: 438 Main Street, Suite 7 Buffalo, NY 14202
Free Legal Services in New York, New York
Human Rights First
Human Rights First connects lawyers with detained and non-detained individuals seeking asylum before immigration courts in New York and New Jersey.
75 Broad Street, 31st Floor NY, NY 10004 | (212) 845-5200 | (212) 845-5299
Detention hotline: (212) 629-6170 (2-5pm Mon-Fri)
Contacts: Hamon Madi, Jacqueline Rojas, Lamise Abdel Rahman
Safe Passage Project
Safe Passage Project is a legal services organization that represents unaccompanied immigrant kids in removal proceedings. Individuals interested in their services can inquire in Spanish, and English.
Email: help@safepassageproject.org | tel: 212 324 6558 | website
Central American Legal Assistance (CALA)
CALA is a non-profit organization that specializes in offering services to non-detained asylum seekers from Central America. Their walkin-in hours are Mon-Fri from 9am to 3pm, and their services are available in Spanish.
240 Hooper St. Brooklyn, NY 11211 | Tel: (718) 486-6800 | Fax: (718) 486-5287
Email: cala@igc.org | website
Catholic Charities Community Services
Catholic Charities is a non profit organization offering services for all types of removal cases for non-detained individuals. They offer interpretation in all languages.
80 Maiden Lane, 13th Floor NY, NY 10038 | Tel: (212) 419-3700 | Fax: (212) 751-3197
Email: immigration.services@archny.org |website
Immigration court helpdesk: ICHCCNY@gmail.com | Tel: (315) 690-4831
The Door
The Door is a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals between the ages of 12 and 24. They provide various services that range from mental health counseling, GED/HESC classes, and others.
121 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY 10013 | tel: (212) 941-9090
Email: legalhelp@door.org | website
The Legal Aid Society
The Legal Aid Society is a non-profit organization that offers representation for detained and non-detained cases relating to criminal convictions and all forms of relief. The organization collaborates with ICARE partners for children under 18 and in removal proceedings, and coordinates with the Juvenile Representation Project.
199 Water St. 3rd Floor NY, NY 10038 | (212) 577-3300 | website
Immigration Removal Hotline: (212) 577-3456 – Wed 1pm – 5pm
Immigration Detention Hotline: (212) 577-3456 – Wed & Fri 1pm – 5pm
(collect calls from detention facilities accepted)
HIAS (New York)
HIAS is a non-profit that focuses on the protection of refugees who have been forced to flee their countries. They provide services in Spanish and Russian to individuals who fear returning to their country of origin. Interpretation services are also available.
411 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1006 NY, NY 10016 | tel: (212) 613-
City Bar Justice Center
City Bar Justice Center is a non-profit that offers services limited to Asylum; and U, T or VAWA relief for survivors of violent crimes including: domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assaults, hate crimes or human trafficking. The services are available in Spanish, French, and individuals must make appointments in advance.
42 West 44th Street. New York, NY 10036 | Tel: (212) 382-6710
New York Legal Assistance Group
NYLAG offers services to non-detained individuals living in the five boroughs of New York City. To access the services, those interested must call and leave a voice message or send an email with their full name, contact information, and their next court date.
Languages: Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, and others as needed
7 Hanover Square, 18th Floor NY, NY 1004 |tel: (212) 613-5000 | fax: (212) 750-0820
Email: iintake@nylag.org | website
Sanctuary for Families
Sanctuary for Families is a non-profit organization that represents survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other gender-based harm in all types of immigration cases. Their services are available in multiple languages and for individuals in the five boroughs of New York City.
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor NY, NY 10005 | tel: (212) 349-6009 x 293| website
American Bar Association Detention and LOP Information Line
ABA offers services for detained respondents who are representing themselves in court and do not have a lawyer. To access the services from a detention center, dial 2150#
Email: immcenter@americanbar.org | Website
Connecticut Immigrant Center Inc.
CIMMC is a nonprofit organization focusing on asylum cases for non-detained individuals living in New York City who need removal defense related to, but not limited to WAVA and Cancelation removal; Unaccompanied minors.
Their NYC juvenile rocket represents non-detained cases of survivors of domestic abuse, violence, persecution, torture and other crimes. Their services are also available in Spanish.
36 Mill Plain Road, Suite 403 Danbury, CT 06811 | (203) 312-7689
Email: info@cimmc.org | website
Catholic Migration Services
Catholic Migration offers representation to non-detained individuals living in the areas of Queens and Brooklyn. Appointments must be made in advance.
Brooklyn: 191 Joralemon St. 4th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 | tel: (718) 236-3000
Queens: 47-01 Queens Blvd, Room 203 Sunnyside, NY 11104 | tel: 472-3500
Fax: (347) 472-3501 | website
Neighborhood Defender Service in Harlem
This non-profit organization serves Northern Manhattan residents (above 96th St.) with prior arrests or convictions. They provide services to detained and non-detained individuals with removal cases and affirmative applications. Individuals must call for intake.
317 Lenox Avenue, 10th Floor NY, NY 10027 | tel: 212 876-5500 | website
Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project
Safe Horizon is a non-profit that provides representation to non-detained residents of New York City. They focus on representing survivors of crime, violence, abuse, trafficking and torture. Their staff is bilingual (ENG/SPA) with access to interpreters for all other languages.
50 Court St. 8th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 | tel: (718) 93-8632 fax: (718) 943-8646 | website
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