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Free immigration legal help in Illinois — BIA-recognized organizations

Directory of 63 BIA-recognized non-profits in Illinois authorized by DOJ to provide low-cost or free immigration legal representation.

Flag: Denelson83 · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Free immigration legal help in Illinois — BIA-recognized organizations

This page lists every non-profit in Illinois 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 Illinois

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

OrganizationCityAddressPhoneRecognizedStatus
Alliance for Immigrant NeighborsAurora117 N. Cass Avenue, Westmont, IL 60559(224) 443-011311/13/15Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoAurora1400 S. Austin Blvd, Cicero, IL 60804(708) 429-403105/09/25Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoAurora1170 N. River Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016(312) 427-707805/09/25Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoAurora1115 N. 23rd Avenue, Melrose Park, IL 60160, Moline(312) 427-707805/09/25Active
Chinese Mutual Aid AssociationAurora164 Division Street, Suite 305, Elgin, IL 60120, Hanover Park(224) 227-749910/29/08Active
Family Focus AuroraAurora1444 N Farnsworth Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505(630) 256-701702/23/11Active
Family Focus AuroraAurora4878 W. Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60639(773) 276-094002/23/11Active
Family Focus AuroraAurora1500 S. 59th Court, 2nd Floor, Cicero, IL 60804, Des Plaines(708) 652-090002/23/11Active
HANA CenterAurora664 N. Milwaukee Avenue, # 213, Prospect Heights, IL 60070, Rockford(847) 520-199911/16/11Active
Hanul Family AllianceAurora2900 N Main Street, 1st Floor, Buffalo Grove, IL 60089, Carol Stream(847) 393-748807/27/11Active
Hanul Family AllianceAurora5008 N Kedzie Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625(773) 478-885107/27/11Active
Life Span Center for Legal Services and AdvocacyAurora701 Lee Street, Suite 700, Des Plaines, IL 60016, Elgin(847) 824-038212/05/24Active
Mano a Mano Family Resource CenterAurora1801 Sheridan Road, Suite 101, North Chicago, IL 60064, Palatine(224) 538-727008/19/13Active
Partners for Our CommunitiesAurora1585 Rand Road, Palatine, IL 60074, Prospect Heights(847) 776-950004/04/25Active
The Immigration Project, Inc.Aurora409 Devonshire Drive, Champaign, IL 61820(217) 693-492009/29/17Active
Vietnamese Association of IllinoisAurora640 East Saint Charles Road, Suite 203, Carol Stream, IL 60188(630) 580-943809/04/15Active
World ReliefAurora6925 West Cermak Road, Berwyn, IL 60406, Bolingbrook(847) 596-749109/25/24Active
World ReliefAurora—09/25/24Active
World ReliefAurora—09/25/24Active
World ReliefAurora1852 16th Street, Moline, IL 61265, Mt. Prospect(309) 764-227909/25/24Active
Southwest Suburban Immigrant ProjectBolingbrook101 Royce Road, Suite 12, Bolingbrook, IL 60440, Buffalo Grove(630) 296-675502/07/25Active
YMCA of the University of IllinoisChampaign1001 South Wright Street, Champaign, IL 61820, Chicago(217) 337-150006/04/19Active
Afghan Village NFPChicago6235 N Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659(773) 796-133306/20/24Active
Ascend JusticeChicago177 N. State Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60601, Ascend Justice(312) 971-593206/01/18Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoChicago721 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, IL 60654(312) 427-707805/09/25Active
Centro RomeroChicago6216 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60660(773) 508-530004/02/25Active
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services FoundationChicago33 N. Dearborn Street, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602(313) 332-162410/28/24Active
Children’s Legal CenterChicago1100 W Cermak Road, Suite 422, Chicago, IL 60608, Chinese American Service League 04/28/95 05/24/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(312) 722-664209/10/25Active
Chinese Mutual Aid AssociationChicago1016 W. Argyle Street, Chicago, IL 60640, Community Help Center Muslim Women Resource Center 05/28/13 12/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(773) 784-290010/29/08Active
Erie Neighborhood HouseChicago1634 W Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL 60612, Erie Neighborhood House, 4225 W. 25th Street Extension Office, 4225 W. 25th Street, Chicago, IL 60623(773) 542-761706/03/11Active
Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Inc.Chicago5800 North Lincoln Avenue, Unit A/B, Chicago, IL 60659(773) 508-030304/15/25Active
Frida Kahlo Community OrganizationChicago5133 S. Kedzie Avenue, 1st Floor, Chicago, IL 60632(312) 421-759908/24/10Active
HANA CenterChicago4300 N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618(773) 583-550111/16/11Active
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)Chicago228 South Wabash, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604, Indo-American Center 08/25/23 08/25/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(312) 332-736011/24/15Active
Instituto del Progreso LatinoChicago2570 S. Blue Island Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608(773) 890-005508/24/07Active
Irish Community ServicesChicago4626 N. Knox Avenue, Suite 301, Chicago, IL 60630—12/13/24Active
Latinos ProgresandoChicago2724 W. Cermak Rd, Chicago, IL 60608(773) 542-701111/19/04Active
Life Span Center for Legal Services and AdvocacyChicago70 East Lake Street, Suite 600, Chicago, IL 60601(312) 408-121012/05/24Active
Logan Square Neighborhood AssociationChicago2840 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, National Immigrant Justice Center 11/21/80 07/30/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(773) 384-437004/06/16Active
Northern Illinois Justice for Our NeighborsChicago77 West Washington Street, Suite 814, Chicago, IL 60602, Polish American Association 01/25/95 10/04/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(773) 909-167201/16/25Active
Raise the Floor AllianceChicago1 N LaSalle Street, Suite 1275, Chicago, IL 60602(312) 795-911505/05/25Active
RefugeeOneChicago6008 N. California Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659(773) 989-564709/29/25Active
Syrian Community NetworkChicago5439 N. Broadway, Suite #2, Chicago, IL 60640(773) 654-309608/12/19Active
The Resurrection ProjectChicago1805 S. Ashland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60608(312) 666-306209/08/14Active
United African OrganizationChicago6042 S Indiana Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637(312) 949-998011/14/14Active
Vietnamese Association of IllinoisChicago5110 North Broadway Street, Chicago, IL 60640(773) 728-370009/04/15Active
Alliance for Immigrant NeighborsDes PlainesP.O. Box 2581, Des Plaines, IL 60017(224) 443-011311/13/15Active
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of RockfordElgin33 N. Geneva Street, Elgin, IL 60120, Centro de Informacion 05/15/97 07/23/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(815) 399-170903/19/93Active
Partners for Our CommunitiesHanover Park1515 Lake Street, Hanover Park, IL 60133, Hickory Hills—04/04/25Active
International Humanitarian ReliefHickory Hills7667 W. 95th Street, Suite 105, Hickory Hills, IL 60457, Highland Park(708) 945-079807/17/20Active
North Suburban Legal Aid ClinicHighland Park3500 Western Avenue, Suite 2A, Highland Park, IL 60035, Joliet, Spanish Community Center 05/23/16 12/23/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(847) 737-404204/11/16Active
Middle Eastern Immigrant and Refugee Alliance (MIRA)Lincolnwood7301 Lincoln Ave, Suite 202, Lincolnwood, IL 60712, Lombard(773) 409-459702/19/13Active
Pregen, Inc.Lombard55 W 22nd Street, Suite 230, Lombard, IL 60148, Macomb(630) 915-772008/29/24Active
Western Illinois DREAMersMacomb204 W Jefferson Street, Macomb, IL 61455, Melrose Park(303) 877-742607/18/24Active
AKWAABA QCMoline1531 47TH Avenue, Suite 2, Moline, IL 61265(309) 716-743711/05/25Active
Hanul Family AllianceMt. Prospect1166 S. Elmhurst Road, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056, Normal(847) 439-519507/27/11Active
The Immigration Project, Inc.Normal211 Landmark Drive, Suite D4, Normal, IL 61761, North Chicago(309) 829-870309/29/17Active
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of RockfordRockford1536 S Main Street, Rockford, IL 61102(815) 399-170903/19/93Active
Rock Valley CollegeRockford99 E. State Street, Rockford, IL 61104, Round Lake Park(815) 921-227211/09/11Active
Mano a Mano Family Resource CenterRound Lake Park6 E. Main Street, Round Lake Park, IL 60073, Skokie, Jewish Child & Family Services 06/03/88 08/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(847) 201-152108/19/13Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of ChicagoWaukegan300 Grand Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60085—05/09/25Active
The Hispanic American Community Education & Services / HACESWaukegan820 West Greenwood Avenue, Waukegan, IL 60087, West Dundee(847) 244-030004/18/11Active
Alianza HispanoAmericana NFP, Inc.West Dundee600 Spring Hill Ring Road, Suite 107, West Dundee, IL 60118, Westmont(847) 428-368203/09/18Active

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 Illinois

63 locations/organizations on record in Illinois. Always verify directly before visiting.

  • Family Focus Aurora
    Aurora
  • World Relief
    Aurora
  • Southwest Suburban Immigrant Project
    Aurora
  • Hanul Family Alliance
    Aurora
  • Vietnamese Association of Illinois
    Aurora
  • World Relief
    Aurora
  • The Immigration Project, Inc.
    Aurora
  • YMCA of the University of Illinois
    Aurora
  • Afghan Village NFP
    Aurora
  • Ascend Justice
    Aurora
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago
    Aurora
  • Centro Romero
    Aurora
  • Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation
    Aurora
  • Children's Legal Center
    Aurora
  • Chinese Mutual Aid Association
    Aurora
  • Erie Neighborhood House
    Aurora
  • Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago, Inc.
    Aurora
  • Family Focus Aurora
    Aurora
  • Frida Kahlo Community Organization
    Aurora
  • HANA Center
    Aurora
  • Hanul Family Alliance
    Aurora
  • Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
    Aurora
  • Instituto del Progreso Latino
    Aurora
  • Irish Community Services
    Aurora
  • Latinos Progresando
    Aurora

…and 38 more.

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 Illinois 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 Illinois?
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.

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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.