Free immigration legal help in Minnesota — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Minnesota 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 Minnesota
17 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Minnesota. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | Austin | 179 Robie Street East, St. Paul, MN 55107 | (651) 641-1011 | 10/18/23 | Active |
| Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | Austin | 1567 N McMillan Street, Suite 6, Worthington, MN 56187 | — | 10/18/23 | Active |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota | Austin | — | 01/10/25 | Active | |
| Minnesota Council of Churches | Austin | 501 S. Second Street, Mankato, MN 56001, Minneapolis | (507) 345-1554 | 02/04/04 | Active |
| Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | Bloomington | 329 N. Main Street, Austin, MN 55912, Bloomington, Immigrant Hope Bloomington Minnesota 11/16/16 04/03/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (651) 641-1011 | 10/18/23 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at TruNorth | Mankato | 1400 Madison Ave. Ste. 310, Mankato, MN 56001 | (507) 769-0501 | 12/03/24 | Active |
| Hennepin County Adult Representation Services | Minneapolis | 525 Portland Avenue South, Suite 900, Minneapolis, MN 55415, Immigrant Connection - Waite Park 10/20/23 10/23/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (612) 348-7012 | 09/23/24 | Active |
| Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota | Minneapolis | 2400 Park Avenue, Floor 3, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | (612) 871-0221 | 01/10/25 | Active |
| Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid-Minneapolis | Minneapolis | 111 N 5th Street, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55403 | (612) 332-1441 | 03/20/25 | Active |
| Minnesota Council of Churches | Minneapolis | 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 100, Minneapolis, MN 55404 | (612) 230-3215 | 02/04/04 | Active |
| The Advocates for Human Rights | Minneapolis | 330 Second Avenue South, Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN 55401, Moorhead | (612) 341-3302 | 08/14/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | Richfield | 1015 7th Avenue North, Moorhead, MN 56560, Richfield, Arrive Ministries 06/22/06 07/26/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (218) 443-1815 | 10/18/23 | Active |
| Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota | Saint Paul | 450 Syndicate Street North, Suite 200, Saint Paul, MN 55104-2323, St. Cloud | (651) 641-1011 | 10/18/23 | Active |
| Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid-St. Cloud | St. Cloud | 110 6th Ave S., Suite 200, St. Cloud, MN 56303, St. Paul | (320) 241-0121 | 02/09/99 | Active |
| Accola d/b/a Sarah’s … an Oasis for Women (“Sarah’s”) | St. Paul | 1884 Randolph Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105 | — | 12/27/24 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection Mosaic | St. Paul | 540 E Wheelock Parkway, St. Paul, MN 55130 | (651) 774-2770 | 01/14/25 | Active |
| International Institute of Minnesota | St. Paul | 1694 Como Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services 11/20/98 07/30/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (651) 647-0191 | 01/27/25 | 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 Minnesota — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Minnesota
- Legal aid in Minnesota — 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 Minnesota
17 locations/organizations on record in Minnesota. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Austin - Immigrant Connection at TruNorth
Austin - Minnesota Council of Churches
Austin - Hennepin County Adult Representation Services
Austin - Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Austin - Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid-Minneapolis
Austin - Minnesota Council of Churches
Austin - The Advocates for Human Rights
Austin - Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Austin - Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Austin - Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Austin - Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid-St. Cloud
Austin - Accola d/b/a Sarah's ... an Oasis for Women ("Sarah's")
Austin - Immigrant Connection Mosaic
Austin - Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Austin - International Institute of Minnesota
Austin - Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Austin
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Minnesota organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Minnesota?
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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.