Free immigration legal help in Connecticut — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Connecticut 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 Connecticut
16 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Connecticut. These non-profits are authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide immigration legal representation at low or no cost.
| Organization | City | Address | Phone | Recognized | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc. | Bridgeport | 1406 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 06605, Center for Immigrant Development, Inc. 07/27/10 01/22/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (203) 372-4301 | 06/27/07 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc. | Bridgeport | 120 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, Stamford | (203) 750-9711 | 06/27/07 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc. | Bridgeport | 174 Richmond Hill Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 | (203) 964-8228 | 06/27/07 | Active |
| Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants | Bridgeport | 410 Colorado Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, East Hartford | (203) 336-0141 | 04/25/24 | Active |
| Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants | Bridgeport | 75 Charter Oak Avenue, Suite 2-180, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 692-3085 | 04/25/24 | Active |
| Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants | Bridgeport | 34 Woodland Ave, Stamford, CT 06902, Waterbury | (203) 965-7190 | 04/25/24 | Active |
| Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants | Bridgeport | 233 Mill Street, 3rd Floor, Waterbury, CT 06706 | (203) 496-8677 | 04/25/24 | Active |
| Universal Presbyterian Church of God (UPCG) | East Hartford | 135 Burnside Avenue, First Floor, Suite B3A & B3D, East Hartford, CT 06108, Glastonbury | (860) 986-8550 | 05/01/20 | Active |
| Every Child Matters (ECM Immigration Legal Services) | Glastonbury | 2389 Main Street, Suite 105, Glastonbury, CT 06033, Hartford | (860) 323-3600 | 06/10/25 | Active |
| Center for Latino Progress - CPRF | Hartford | 95 Park Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06106 | (860) 247-3227 | 10/11/12 | Active |
| Hartford Public Library | Hartford | 500 Main Street, Hartford, CT 06103, Meriden | (860) 695-6334 | 08/23/13 | Active |
| Raices Latinas Inc. | Meriden | 250 Pomeroy Ave., Suite 201C, Meriden, CT 06450, New Haven | (203) 673-9974 | 05/29/25 | Active |
| Apostle Immigrant Services, Corp. | New Haven | 115 Blatchley Avenue, New Haven, CT 06513, New London | (203) 752-9068 | 01/31/12 | Active |
| Immigration Advocacy & Support Center | New London | 8 Washington Street, New London, CT 06320, Norwalk | (860) 629-7758 | 02/21/20 | Active |
| Building One Community, Corp. | Stamford | 417 Shippan Ave, Stamford, CT 06902 | (203) 674-8585 | 12/22/16 | Active |
| Dreamers2gether Inc. | Waterbury | 14 N Main Street, Waterbury, CT 06702 | (202) 313-1951 | 07/29/25 | Active |
How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization
- Confirm current status at the EOIR roster — recognition can be withdrawn, and the roster is updated quarterly.
- Call ahead to check service availability — many orgs have waitlists, especially for asylum and removal-defense cases.
- Ask about fees before signing a representation agreement. Free or sliding-fee is standard.
- Bring all USCIS notices + photo ID to your intake appointment.
- 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.
Related procedural information
- Immigration court in Connecticut — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Connecticut
- Legal aid in Connecticut — broader civil legal aid (housing, family, public benefits)
- Find an immigration attorney — AILA directory + private bar
- Avoid notario fraud — what to watch for
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections
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 Connecticut
16 locations/organizations on record in Connecticut. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc.
Bridgeport - Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
Bridgeport - Universal Presbyterian Church of God (UPCG)
Bridgeport - Every Child Matters (ECM Immigration Legal Services)
Bridgeport - Center for Latino Progress - CPRF
Bridgeport - Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
Bridgeport - Hartford Public Library
Bridgeport - Raices Latinas Inc.
Bridgeport - Apostle Immigrant Services, Corp.
Bridgeport - Immigration Advocacy & Support Center
Bridgeport - Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc.
Bridgeport - Building One Community, Corp.
Bridgeport - Catholic Charities of Fairfield County, Inc.
Bridgeport - Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
Bridgeport - Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants
Bridgeport - Dreamers2gether Inc.
Bridgeport
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Connecticut organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Connecticut?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.