New York · est. 2013Sunday, September 6, 2026
Inside Immigration

Plain-language guides to US immigration, asylum and USCIS procedure.

Finding a lawyer

Free and low-cost legal help

1,518 organizations in 49 states and territories, drawn from the two lists the federal government itself keeps. The immigration courts publish a pro bono list: providers that have promised to take some removal cases for free, filed under the court they appear before. The Justice Department separately recognizes non-profit organizations and accredits their staff, who may then represent people before USCIS and, with full accreditation, before the courts, at low or no cost, without being lawyers. Anyone else who charges to fill in immigration forms and is not a licensed attorney or an accredited representative, whatever they call themselves (notario, consultant, paralegal, travel agent), is acting unlawfully; nothing they file protects you, and their errors are yours to carry. Check the lists before you pay anyone.

Filled circles: on the courts' pro bono list (143). Open circles: DOJ recognized organizations only (1375). 58 are on both.

All organizations

23 of 1518 organizations

Phone
Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of ClevelandAkronOHRecognized org(216) 939-3769
International Institute of AkronAkronOHBoth lists(330) 376-5106
Logistic Assistance for Migrant PeopleArchboldOHRecognized org(419) 445-0728
Immigrant Connection - DaytonBeavercreekOHRecognized org(937) 802-2012
Catholic Charities of Southwestern OhioCincinnatiOHRecognized org(513) 672-3746
Immigrant and Refugee Law CenterCincinnatiOHRecognized org(513) 828-0577
Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of ClevelandClevelandOHRecognized org(216) 281-7005
Cleveland Catholic Charities - Immigration Legal ServicesClevelandOHPro bono list(330) 939-3769
IMAGO Immigration Legal Services dba Building Hope in the CityClevelandOHRecognized org(216) 241-9400
The Legal Aid Society of ClevelandClevelandOHPro bono list(888) 817-3777
U.S. Committee for Refugees and ImmigrantsClevelandOHRecognized org(216) 250-1574
AO: Advocating Opportunity, Inc.ColumbusOHRecognized org(855) 855-1945
Catholic Social ServicesColumbusOHRecognized org(614) 340-7061
Immigrant Connection at La Gran Comision Wesleyan ChurchColumbusOHRecognized org(614) 954-5226
US Together, Inc.ColumbusOHRecognized org(614) 437-9941
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.DaytonOHRecognized org(937) 228-8104
Cristo Rey CenterFostoriaOHRecognized org(440) 316-2618
Cristo Rey CenterFreontOHRecognized org(419) 619-3625
International Welcome CenterNew FranklinOHRecognized org(330) 882-4916
Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of ClevelandPainesvilleOHRecognized org(216) 939-3728
Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.ToledoOHBoth lists(419) 255-0814
Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC)ToledoOHRecognized org(419) 902-7732
Protecting Civil Rights, Inc.WestlakeOHRecognized org(855) 855-8292

Sources and limits

Compiled 2026-09-06 from the EOIR List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers and the DOJ Recognition and Accreditation roster. The pro bono list is what each provider told the court it takes; "free" usually means free for people who meet an income test, and most providers take only some case types. The recognition roster lists every office of each organization; it says nothing about capacity, waiting lists or languages. Both lists change monthly. Call before you go, and ask whether the person you will see is an attorney or an accredited representative. Listing here is not a recommendation; the site verifies nothing beyond the government rosters. Attorneys who list with this site appear under attorneys.