BIA-recognized immigration help in Maryland — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Maryland 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 Maryland
28 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Maryland. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amica Center for Immigrant Rights | Annapolis | 1 N. Charles Street, Suite 2305, Baltimore, MD 21201 | (202) 899-1424 | 11/19/24 | Active |
| Ayuda | Annapolis | — | 09/18/24 | Active | |
| CASA, Inc. | Annapolis | 14645 Rothgeb Drive, Rockville, MD 20850, Salisbury | (240) 491-5780 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| CASA, Inc. | Annapolis | 734 University Avenue E., Silver Spring, MD 20903 | (240) 491-5754 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington | Annapolis | 201 East Diamond Avenue, 3rd Floor, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, Greenbelt | (301) 740-2523 | 09/19/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington | Annapolis | 12247 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20902 | (301) 942-1790 | 09/19/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington | Annapolis | 5859 Allentown Way, Temple Hills, MD 20748, Towson | (301) 615-0948 | 09/19/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at Path to Hope | Annapolis | 168 West Street, Annapolis, MD 21401, Balitmore | (443) 203-8020 | 01/24/25 | Active |
| International Rescue Committee, Inc. | Annapolis | — | 02/23/96 | Active | |
| International Rescue Committee, Inc. | Annapolis | — | 02/23/96 | Active | |
| Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area | Annapolis | 7474 Greenway Center Drive, Suite 1200, Greenbelt, MD 20770, Hyattsville | (202) 723-3000 | 06/26/90 | Active |
| Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc. | Annapolis | 329 S. Jefferson Street, Frederick, MD 21701, Gaithersburg | (240) 877-7466 | 09/28/18 | Active |
| Tahirih Justice Center | Annapolis | 211 E. Lombard Street, Suite 307, Baltimore, MD 21202, Bethesda | (410) 999-1900 | 03/22/10 | Active |
| Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC International) | Annapolis | 8701 Georgia Ave Suite 504, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Temple Hills | — | 10/24/24 | Active |
| Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC) | Balitmore | 5400 Loch Raven Blvd, Suite 1, Balitmore, MD 21239, Baltimore | — | 07/10/25 | Active |
| Asylee Women Enterprise, Inc. | Baltimore | 4500 Frankford Ave., Baltimore, MD 21206 | (443) 850-0627 | 04/22/25 | Active |
| CASA, Inc. | Baltimore | 2706 Pulaski Highway, Baltimore, MD 21224, Immigration Legal Services Associated Catholic Charities 10/06/99 06/28/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (410) 732-7777 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| Briggs Center for Faith and Action | Bethesda | 5148 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20816, Columbia, Luminus Network, Inc. 11/09/00 12/04/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (301) 229-7725 | 07/23/19 | Active |
| Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center | Easton | 331 E. Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601, Frederick | (443) 786-1120 | 05/17/16 | Active |
| CASA, Inc. | Hyattsville | 8151 15th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20783, Laurel | (240) 491-5725 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| Okyeman Union of Greater Washington Area, Inc. | Laurel | 14333 Laurel Bowie Road, Suite 307, Laurel, MD 20708, Randallstown, Abundant Love Worship Center 02/22/24 02/22/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (301) 850-2958 | 01/03/25 | Active |
| Word of Life Center Immigration Services | Salisbury | 212 W Main Street, Suite 302, Salisbury, MD 21801, Silver Spring | (443) 783-0554 | 11/30/18 | Active |
| Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. | Silver Spring | 8455 Colesville Rd, Suite 960, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | (301) 565-4800 | 05/01/25 | Active |
| Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS) | Silver Spring | 1300 Spring Street, Suite 500, Silver Spring, MD 20910 | (301) 844-7300 | 09/09/25 | Active |
| Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc. | Silver Spring | 8545 Piney Branch Road, Suite B, Silver Spring, MD 20901 | (301) 587-7217 | 09/28/18 | Active |
| World Relief | Towson | 1220 B East Joppa Road, Suite 400D, Towson, MD 21286, Waldorf | (410) 244-0002 | 09/25/24 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at LifePoint Church | Waldorf | 10395 Berry Road, Waldorf, MD 20603, White Plains | (301) 705-9996 | 09/03/25 | Active |
| New Initiative for Civic Engagement, Inc. (NICE) | White Plains | 7820 King Arthur Court, White Plains, MD 20695 | (240) 270-2493 | 01/06/25 | 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 Maryland — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Maryland
- Legal aid in Maryland — 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).