Free immigration legal help in Maryland — BIA-recognized 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).
BIA-recognized immigration help in Maryland
28 locations/organizations on record in Maryland. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Immigrant Connection at Path to Hope
Annapolis - Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC)
Annapolis - Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
Annapolis - Asylee Women Enterprise, Inc.
Annapolis - CASA, Inc.
Annapolis - International Rescue Committee, Inc.
Annapolis - Tahirih Justice Center
Annapolis - Briggs Center for Faith and Action
Annapolis - Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center
Annapolis - Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc.
Annapolis - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Annapolis - Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Annapolis - CASA, Inc.
Annapolis - Okyeman Union of Greater Washington Area, Inc.
Annapolis - CASA, Inc.
Annapolis - Word of Life Center Immigration Services
Annapolis - Ayuda
Annapolis - CASA, Inc.
Annapolis - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Annapolis - Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
Annapolis - Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)
Annapolis - International Rescue Committee, Inc.
Annapolis - Spanish Speaking Community of Maryland, Inc.
Annapolis - Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC International)
Annapolis - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
Annapolis
…and 3 more.
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Maryland organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Maryland?
The rules change. Hear about it first.
Monthly digest of USCIS, IRS, and consulate fee, form, and deadline changes — no spam.
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.