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Procedures

Free immigration legal help in Arizona — BIA-recognized organizations

Directory of 18 BIA-recognized non-profits in Arizona authorized by DOJ to provide low-cost or free immigration legal representation.

This page lists every non-profit in Arizona currently authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice (Board of Immigration Appeals / BIA) to provide immigration legal representation. Source: EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster, updated quarterly.

BIA-recognized organizations are the cheapest legitimate immigration legal help available — many provide representation free or for sliding-fee based on income. Their accredited representatives (Full Accreditation can appear in court; Partial Accreditation handles USCIS filings only) practice ONLY immigration law.

BIA-recognized organizations in Arizona

18 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Arizona. These non-profits are authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide immigration legal representation at low or no cost.

OrganizationCityAddressPhoneRecognizedStatus
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.Flagstaff1938 W. Cesar Chavez Blvd, Suite 1A, PO Box 697, San Luis, AZ 85349, Somerton(928) 627-204211/26/24Active
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.Flagstaff1525 North Oracle Road, Tucson, AZ 85705(520) 882-001811/26/24Active
International Rescue Committee, Inc.Flagstaff02/23/96Active
International Rescue Committee, Inc.Flagstaff02/23/96Active
Literacy Volunteers of Coconino County DBA The Literacy CenterFlagstaff2500 N. Rose Street, Suite 102, Flagstaff, AZ 86004, Glendale(928) 556-031309/12/24Active
Lutheran Social Services of the SouthwestFlagstaff3777 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 100, Tucson, AZ 85716(520) 748-230002/23/96Active
Immigrant Hope - MesaMesa1818 East Southern Avenue, Suite 4A, Mesa, AZ 85204, Phoenix, Arizona Legal Women and Youth Services 12/14/23 12/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(480) 524-813112/10/19Active
Catholic Charities Community Services PhoenixPhoenix5151 N. 19th Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85015(602) 997-610512/18/24Active
Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights ProjectPhoenixP.O. Box 32670, Phoenix, AZ 85064, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project(602) 307-100808/07/25Active
Friendly HousePhoenix113 West Sherman Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003-2598(602) 257-187010/26/23Active
Immigrant Relief Center of Arizona, Inc.Phoenix2724 W Thomas Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017(602) 441-005703/24/16Active
Lutheran Social Services of the SouthwestPhoenix3636 N. Central Ave., Suite 300, Phoenix, AZ 85012(520) 748-230002/23/96Active
Neighborhood MinistriesPhoenix1918 W. Van Buren Street, Phoenix, AZ 85009, San Luis(602) 252-522505/22/24Active
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.Somerton308 West Main Street, Somerton, AZ 85350, Tucson(928) 627-204211/26/24Active
Arizona Justice For Our NeighborsTucson319 W Simpson Street, Tucson, AZ 85701(520) 488-320111/12/24Active
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona Catholic Social ServicesTucson975 N Alvernon Way, Tucson, AZ 85711(520) 623-034405/21/24Active
Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights ProjectTucson120 N. Tucson Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85716, Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project08/07/25Active
Merciful Refugee and Immigrant ServicesTucson4560 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 217, Tucson, AZ 85711(520) 275-040310/19/18Active

How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization

  1. Confirm current status at the EOIR roster — recognition can be withdrawn, and the roster is updated quarterly.
  2. Call ahead to check service availability — many orgs have waitlists, especially for asylum and removal-defense cases.
  3. Ask about fees before signing a representation agreement. Free or sliding-fee is standard.
  4. Bring all USCIS notices + photo ID to your intake appointment.
  5. Beware of “notarios” — only BIA-recognized organizations OR licensed attorneys can give legal advice. A “notario público” in the U.S. is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot legally represent you.

Last verified: 2026-05-27. Source: U.S. Department of Justice EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster. General procedural information — not legal advice. Always verify organization status and ask about fees before signing a representation agreement.

BIA recognition program context (2025-2026)

The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) Recognition & Accreditation Program is governed by 8 CFR 1292.11-1292.16. Recognition is granted for 3 years initially; renewals require re-application and updated documentation. As of the 2026-04-20 EOIR roster: 1,256 recognized organizations operate 1,420 offices nationwide, with 5,800+ accredited representatives across Full Accreditation (court representation) and Partial Accreditation (USCIS-only practice).

BIA-recognized organizations cannot charge attorney-level fees but may charge “nominal fees” — typically defined by EOIR as covering only direct costs (printing, postage, document preparation). Most organizations charge $0-$200 for full representation in routine cases (USCIS filings, defensive asylum hearings). Compare to private immigration attorney fees: $1,500-$5,000 for asylum cases, $2,500-$8,000 for cancellation of removal, $1,500-$3,000 for adjustment of status.

EOIR publishes the Recognition & Accreditation Roster quarterly at justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. Verify an organization’s CURRENT status (Active vs Pending Renewal vs Provisional vs Withdrawn) before signing a representation agreement. Organizations whose recognition was withdrawn by EOIR (typically for fraud or compliance issues) cannot practice immigration law.

For attorney directories: AILA Find-A-Lawyer at ailalawyer.com (paid membership, vetted), Legal Services Corporation grantees at lsc.gov (income-limited legal aid), American Bar Association lawyer referral at americanbar.org/groups/legal_services. Avoid “notario” fraud: in the US, a “notary public” is NOT a notario in the Latin American sense and cannot give legal advice. Report notario fraud to your state attorney general AND USCIS at uscis.gov/avoid-scams.

IMMI Help Line: 1-866-787-6111 (Immigrant Justice Network, free Spanish/English) Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm. EOIR Hotline for case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated; English/Spanish menu).

BIA-recognized immigration help in Arizona

18 locations/organizations on record in Arizona. Always verify directly before visiting.

  • Literacy Volunteers of Coconino County DBA The Literacy Center
    Flagstaff
  • International Rescue Committee, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Immigrant Hope - Mesa
    Flagstaff
  • Catholic Charities Community Services Phoenix
    Flagstaff
  • Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
    Flagstaff
  • Friendly House
    Flagstaff
  • Immigrant Relief Center of Arizona, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
    Flagstaff
  • Neighborhood Ministries
    Flagstaff
  • Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Arizona Justice For Our Neighbors
    Flagstaff
  • Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona Catholic Social Services
    Flagstaff
  • Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project
    Flagstaff
  • International Rescue Committee, Inc.
    Flagstaff
  • Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest
    Flagstaff
  • Merciful Refugee and Immigrant Services
    Flagstaff

Frequently asked questions

What is BIA recognition?
BIA recognition is authorization from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Board of Immigration Appeals for a non-profit organization to provide immigration legal representation. Once recognized, the organization can have BIA-accredited representatives (non-attorneys) provide legal services for free or for nominal fees. BIA-recognized organizations are listed publicly in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster, updated quarterly.
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
Attorneys are licensed by state bars and can practice all areas of law. BIA-recognized organizations are non-profits whose accredited representatives (Full or Partial Accreditation) can practice ONLY immigration law before USCIS, EOIR (immigration courts), and the BIA. Recognized orgs are typically much cheaper or free. Full Accreditation allows representation in immigration court hearings; Partial only allows USCIS filings.
How do I know if a Arizona organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Search the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster at justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. Confirm the organization name AND check the ‘Status’ column for ‘Active’ (vs. Pending Renewal, Provisional, or Expired). The roster is updated quarterly; this page lists the orgs as of the most recent published roster.
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Arizona?
Many BIA-recognized organizations offer truly free representation for low-income clients; others charge a sliding-fee scale (e.g., $50-$500) based on income. Federal law allows recognized non-profits to charge ’nominal fees’ but prohibits standard attorney-level billing. Always confirm fees BEFORE signing a representation agreement.