BIA-recognized immigration help in Iowa — free DOJ-accredited 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
16 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Iowa, as of the roster published April 20, 2026. 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 | (319) 364-7212 | 03/19/07 | Active |
| Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Clive | 8980 Hickman Rd, Suite 100, Clive, IA 50325 | (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 |
| World Relief | Davenport | 210 Emerson Place, Suite 300, Davenport, IA 52801 | — | 09/25/24 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at Table Church | Des Moines | 855 17th Street, Des Moines, IA 50314 | — | 12/28/23 | Active (pending renewal) |
| 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 |
| U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Des Moines | 1200 University Avenue, Suite 205, Des Moines, IA 50314 | (515) 528-7525 | 04/06/07 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Dubuque | 1229 Mt. Loretta Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52003 | (563) 588-0558 | 03/19/07 | Active |
| La Luz Centro Cultural | Hampton | 7 2nd Avenue NE, Hampton, IA 50441 | (641) 812-1090 | 06/26/20 | Active |
| ICCompassion | Iowa City | 1035 Wade Street, Iowa City, IA 52240 | (319) 330-9883 | 12/12/11 | Active |
| The Diversity Service Center of Iowa | Muscatine | 1514 Isett Avenue, Suite 2, Muscatine, IA 52761 | (563) 264-8883 | 08/11/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection of Northwest Iowa | Sioux Center | 303 N Main Ave, Sioux Center, IA 51250 | (712) 449-5774 | 01/31/25 | Active |
| Mary J. Treglia Community House | Sioux City | 900 Jennings Street, Sioux City, IA 51105 | (712) 258-5137 | 05/17/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Dubuque | Waterloo | 1425 Kimball Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50702 | (319) 272-2080 | 03/19/07 | 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: 2026-09-01. 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 valid for six years, except that an organization recognized for the first time receives conditional recognition valid for two years (8 CFR 1292.11(f)); the three-year term is the validity period of an individual representative’s accreditation, not the organization’s recognition (8 CFR 1292.12(d)). Renewals require re-application and updated documentation. As of the 2026-04-20 EOIR roster: 1,452 recognized organizations operate 1,564 offices nationwide, staffed by representatives holding Full Accreditation (court representation) or Partial Accreditation (USCIS-only practice).
To be recognized, an organization must be a non-profit that provides immigration legal services primarily to low-income and indigent clients, and if it charges fees it must have a written policy for accommodating clients unable to pay; EOIR reviews its fee schedule, fee-waiver policy and annual budget as part of recognition (8 CFR 1292.11(a)(1) and (b)). Each organization sets its own fees, and neither EOIR nor any other national source publishes what recognized non-profits — or private immigration attorneys — actually charge. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and compare quotes before you commit.
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.
EOIR Hotline for case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated; English/Spanish menu).