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
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).