Immigration cases can be financially taxing and detrimental to the welfare of the individuals and the families involved. The fees can range between $370 and $12,000 depending on the nature of your case, often not including the costs of USCIS applications.
While it is not required for an individual to have legal representation, it is highly recommended. These are the organizations that provide pro-bono immigration services in the state of New York.
Need assistance outside of New York? Find pro-bono legal representation nationwide.
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.
All of the following organizations are non-profit, unless otherwise noted in parentheses next to their name. 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.
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#
To contact on behalf of a detainee: immcenter@americanbar.org. | Website
** Does not offer services for Credible Fear and/or Asylum Merits Interviews
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.
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, 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, including minors and unaccompanied children. 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
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society*
Represents no detained residents of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Clinton, Essex, Franklin,Hamilton Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Fulton, Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie, Herkimer,and Oneida.
Detained cases limited to residents to Clinton County Jail in Plattsburgh, NY
351 South Warren Street, Floor 3 Syracuse, NY 13202 | Tel: (315) 422-8191 | Email | Website
New York Immigration Courts
Human Rights First
Human Rights First is a referral service that connects lawyers with detained and non-detained individuals seeking asylum before immigration courts in New York. No walk-ins accepted, must make an appointment. Spanish, French, Arabic and other languages as needed are available.
75 Broad Street, 31st Floor NY, NY 10004 | (917) 320-9601
Central American Legal Assistance (CALA)
CALA is a non-profit organization that specializes in removal defense cases in Spanish and English to non-detained asylum seekers from Central and South America. Appointments are required.
240 Hooper St. Brooklyn, NY 11211 | Tel: (718) 486-6800
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 |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 ext. 3280
Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York
Offers services to non-detained cases only. No walk-ins.
80 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038 | Tel: (212) 419-3700 | Fax: (212) 751-3197
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#
To contact on behalf of a detainee: immcenter@americanbar.org. |Email | Website
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. Contact legal intake line first Friday of the month only: (212) 613-1341
1359 Broadway, Suite 810 New York, NY 10018
Mobilization for Justice, Inc
Offers representation in English and Spanish to non-detained individuals living in the five boroughs. Must make an appointment. Intake hours are Wednesdays between 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. by calling (212) 417-3724. Access to interpreters available.
100 William Street, 6th Floor. New York, NY 10038
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
La Victoria Foundation
Offers services in Spanish and English. Call for more information and hours.
3753 90th Street, Suite 13B. Jackson Heights, NY 11372 | Tel: (347) 985-4079
Catholic Charities of Long Island
Representation available for individuals with cases at 26 Federal Plaza and Varick Street immigration courts. Assists with VAWA, Asylum, TPS, NACARA, Cancellation of Removal, U/T Visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile. Languages: English, Spanish, French, Creole, Polish and Ukrainian
143 Schleigel Boulevard. Amityville, NY 11701 | Tel: (631) 789-5210 | Fax: (631) 789-5245
Connecticut Immigrant Center Inc.
CIMMC focuses on asylum cases for non-detained individuals living in New York City who need removal defense related to, but not limited to Defensive Asylum, WAVA and Cancellation of removal; Unaccompanied minors. Their services are also available in Spanish.
36 Mill Plain Road, Suite 403. Danbury, CT 06811 | (203) 312-7689
Catholic Migration Services
Catholic Migration offers representation for non-detained cases only. 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: (347) 472-3500 |Fax: (347) 472-3501
Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project
Safe Horizon 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.
41 Flatbush Avenue, Floor 6. Brooklyn, NY 11217 | tel: (718) 943-8632 | fax: (718) 943-8646 | Website
New York Immigration Courts Juvenile Docket
Catholic Migration Services
Catholic Migration offers representation forto non-detained cases onlyindividuals. 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: (347) 472-3500 |
Fax: (347) 472-3501
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) – New YorkKIND provides free legal services to unaccompanied children who live in the following counties: Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), New York (Manhattan), Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester. Appointments are required. Their services are offered in English, Spanish, and French. Interpretation available in other languages.
252 West 37th Street, Suite 1500. NY, NY 10018 |tel: (646) 677-9900
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 ext. 3280
The Legal Aid Society
Represents individuals with criminal convictions and all forms of immigration relief. Only accepting referrals for detained adults and those under 18 years old and in removal proceedings.
49 Thomas Street, 5th Floor. New York, NY 10013 | Tel: (212) 577-3300
Connecticut Immigrant Center Inc. [•]
CIMMC focuses on asylum cases for non-detained individuals living in New York City who need removal defense related to, but not limited to Defensive Asylum, WAVA and Cancellation of removal; Unaccompanied minors. Their services are also available in Spanish.
36 Mill Plain Road, Suite 403. Danbury, CT 06811 | (203) 312-7689
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 |Website
Immigration court help desk: ICHCCNY@gmail.com | Tel: (315) 690-4831 Also Read: ITIN Number, Another Way To Pay Taxes As An Immigrant
Also Read: ITIN Number, Another Way To Pay Taxes As An Immigrant
