BIA-recognized immigration help in Connecticut — free DOJ-accredited 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).