Free immigration legal help in Iowa — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Iowa 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 Iowa
15 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Iowa. 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 the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Cedar Rapids | 420 6th Street SE, Suite 220, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Clive | (319) 364-7212 | 03/19/07 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Cedar Rapids | — | 03/19/07 | Active | |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Cedar Rapids | — | 03/19/07 | Active | |
| U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Cedar Rapids | 1200 University Avenue, Suite 205, Des Moines, IA 50314, Dubuque | (515) 528-7525 | 04/06/07 | Active |
| Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Clive | 8980 Hickman Rd, Suite 100, Clive, IA 50325, Davenport | (515) 244-8028 | 09/28/18 | Active |
| Diocesan Immigration Program, Diocese of Davenport | Davenport | 780 W. Central Park Avenue, Davenport, IA 52804-1901 | (563) 324-1911 | 09/10/25 | Active |
| Tapestry Farms | Davenport | 121 W. 12th Street, Davenport, IA 52803 | (563) 265-0985 | 08/29/24 | Active |
| Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Des Moines | P.O. Box 41700, Des Moines, IA 50311 | (515) 244-8028 | 09/28/18 | Active |
| Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice | Des Moines | 2024 Forest Avenue, Suite 101, Des Moines, IA 50311 | (515) 255-9809 | 10/04/23 | Active |
| World Relief | Des Moines | 855 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 | — | 09/25/24 | Active |
| La Luz Centro Cultural | Hampton | 7 2nd Avenue NE, Hampton, IA 50441, Iowa City | (641) 812-1090 | 06/26/20 | Active |
| ICCompassion | Iowa City | 1035 Wade Street, Iowa City, IA 52240, Muscatine | (319) 330-9883 | 12/12/11 | Active |
| The Diversity Service Center of Iowa | Muscatine | 1514 Isett Avenue, Suite 2, Muscatine, IA 52761, Sioux Center | (563) 264-8883 | 08/11/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection of Northwest Iowa | Sioux Center | 303 N Main Ave, Sioux Center, IA 51250, Sioux City | (712) 449-5774 | 01/31/25 | Active |
| Mary J. Treglia Community House | Sioux City | 900 Jennings Street, Sioux City, IA 51105, Waterloo | (712) 258-5137 | 05/17/24 | 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 Iowa — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Iowa
- Legal aid in Iowa — 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 Iowa
15 locations/organizations on record in Iowa. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Cedar Rapids - Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Cedar Rapids - Diocesan Immigration Program, Diocese of Davenport
Cedar Rapids - Tapestry Farms
Cedar Rapids - World Relief
Cedar Rapids - Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Cedar Rapids - Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice
Cedar Rapids - U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Cedar Rapids - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Cedar Rapids - La Luz Centro Cultural
Cedar Rapids - ICCompassion
Cedar Rapids - The Diversity Service Center of Iowa
Cedar Rapids - Immigrant Connection of Northwest Iowa
Cedar Rapids - Mary J. Treglia Community House
Cedar Rapids - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque
Cedar Rapids
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Iowa organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Iowa?
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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.