BIA-recognized immigration help in Missouri — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Missouri 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 Missouri
9 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Missouri. 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 Central and Northern Missouri - Family Immigration Services | Columbia | Sacred Heart Parish, 105 Waugh Street, Columbia, MO 65201 | (573) 442-7568 | 09/16/25 | Active |
| City of Refuge | Columbia | 10 N Garth Ave., Columbia, MO 65203, Ferguson | (573) 454-1552 | 04/29/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection – North County | Ferguson | 1309 N. Elizabeth Avenue, Ferguson, MO 63135, Jefferson City | (314) 522-3388 | 10/31/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri - Family Immigration Services | Jefferson City | 1015 Edmonds Street, Jefferson City, MO 65109, Kansas City, Jewish Vocational Service Bureau of Kansas City 10/27/99 07/23/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (573) 632-0017 | 09/16/25 | Active |
| KC Asylum Clinic, Inc. | North Kansas City | 2005 Swift Avenue, North Kansas City, MO 64116, Saint Louis | (816) 641-5777 | 12/13/24 | Active |
| Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project | Saint Louis | 2650 Cherokee Street, Saint Louis, MO 63118, Springfield, Hand In Hand Multicultural Center 06/02/17 09/24/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (314) 995-6995 | 09/20/19 | Active |
| International Institute of Metropolitan St. Louis | St. Louis | 3401 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63118 | (314) 773-9090 | 12/28/83 | Active |
| Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, Inc. | St. Louis | 701 Market Street, Suite 1100, St. Louis, MO 63101, Monarch Immigrant Services 05/10/10 02/27/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (314) 534-4200 | 11/21/24 | Active |
| St. Francis Community Services / Catholic Legal Assistance Ministry (“SFCS/CLAM”) | St. Louis | 100 N. Tucker Blvd, Suite 726, St. Louis, MO 63101-1915 | (314) 977-3958 | 03/24/25 | 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 Missouri — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Missouri
- Legal aid in Missouri — 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).