BIA-recognized immigration help in Indiana — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Indiana 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 Indiana
15 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Indiana. 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 Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend | Elkhart | 1817 Miami Street, South Bend, IN 46613 | (574) 234-3111 | 01/03/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at The Bridge Community Church | Elkhart | 13300 Olio Road, Fishers, IN 46037, Fort Wayne | (317) 774-3895 | 02/27/14 | Active |
| La Posada Immigrant Aid | Elkhart | 23786 Sunnyside Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46516, Evansville | (574) 931-4228 | 07/09/25 | Active |
| Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic | Elkhart | 347 W. Berry Street, Suite 101, Fort Wayne, IN 46802, Goshen, National Immigrant Justice Center 11/21/80 07/30/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (260) 456-8972 | 06/04/10 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Evansville | Evansville | 2111 Stringtown Road, Evansville, IN 47711, Ferdinand | (812) 423-5456 | 06/09/25 | Active |
| Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana | Ferdinand | 802 E 10th Street, Ferdinand, IN 47532, Fishers | (812) 367-1411 | 03/27/15 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend | Fort Wayne | 915 S. Clinton Street, Floor 1, Fort Wayne, IN 46802 | (260) 422-5625 | 01/03/25 | Active |
| Chicagoland Immigrant Welcome Network | Hammond | 824 Hoffman Street, Hammond, IN 46327, Indianapolis | (219) 276-3764 | 07/13/15 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Indianapolis Inc. | Indianapolis | 1400 N. Meridian Street, Suite 210, Indianapolis, IN 46202 | (317) 236-1500 | 12/06/24 | Active |
| Exodus Refugee Immigration Inc. | Indianapolis | 2457 E Washington Street, Suite A, Indianapolis, IN 46201, Mariposa Legal, Inc. 12/13/23 12/13/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (317) 921-0836 | 07/23/12 | Active |
| Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic | Indianapolis | 3333 N. Meridian Street, Suite 201, Indianapolis, IN 46208, Jeffersonville | (317) 429-4131 | 06/04/10 | Active |
| Hispanic Connection of Southern Indiana, Inc. | Jeffersonville | 1410 Charlestown New Albany Road, Suite #101, Jeffersonville, IN 47130, Logansport | (812) 944-0527 | 01/16/15 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at The Bridge Community Church | Logansport | 301 East Linden Avenue, Logansport, IN 46947, Marion, Immigrant Connection at College Wesleyan Church 07/21/17 03/12/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (574) 735-0000 | 02/27/14 | Active |
| La Casa De Amistad Inc. | South Bend | 3423 S Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46614 | (574) 233-2120 | 12/19/14 | Active |
| Tree of Life Anglican Church | South Bend | 401 East Colfax Avenue, Suite 180-3, South Bend, IN 46617, Tree of Life Anglican Church | (574) 307-0561 | 08/18/15 | 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 Indiana — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Indiana
- Legal aid in Indiana — 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).