BIA-recognized immigration help in Nebraska — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Nebraska 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 Nebraska
20 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Nebraska. 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 Omaha | Columbus | 1123 Road I, Schuyler, NE 68661, Scottsbluff | (402) 352-3644 | 08/26/25 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | — | 05/17/07 | Active | |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | United Church of Christ (UCC), 440 East 12th Street, Mailing Address: PO Box 328, Crete, NE 68333, Grand Island | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | 3180 W. U.S. Highway 34, Grand Island, NE 68801, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. 04/11/02 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | 2401 Plum Creek Parkway, Suite 2, Mailing Address: PO Box M, Lexington, NE 68850 | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | 121 S 13th Street, Suite 301, Lincoln, NE 68508 | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | 611 Central Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, Omaha | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | 615 South Beltline Highway West, Scottsbluff, NE 69361, South Sioux City | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Columbus | — | 05/17/07 | Active | |
| Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska | Columbus | 3214 25th Street, Suite 1, Columbus, NE 68601, Crete | (402) 564-2110 | 08/27/10 | Active |
| International Council for Refugees and Immigrants | Columbus | 1023 Lincoln Mall, #104, Lincoln, NE 68508, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. 04/11/02 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (402) 830-9461 | 10/04/24 | Active |
| Saint Mary’s Immigration Program | Columbus | 205 South Cedar, Grand Island, NE 68802, Lexington | (308) 381-2855 | 08/05/13 | Active |
| Multicultural Coalition | Grand Island | 325 W 4th St, Grand Island, NE 68801 | (308) 385-5242 | 07/13/18 | Active |
| Saint Mary’s Immigration Program | Lexington | 513 North Grant Street, Suite 7A, Lexington, NE 68850, Lincoln, Catholic Social Services 05/19/99 07/30/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (308) 324-7300 | 08/05/13 | Active |
| Center for Legal Immigration Assistance | Lincoln | 3047 North 70th Street, Lincoln, NE 68507 | (402) 471-1777 | 09/11/12 | Active |
| Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence | Lincoln | 245 South 84th Street, Suite 200, Lincoln, NE 68510, Nebraska City | (402) 476-6256 | 07/24/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha | Omaha | 5211 South 31st Street, Omaha, NE 68107, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha, North 60th Street/ Omaha Extension Office, 3300 N. 60th Street, Omaha, NE 68104 | (402) 554-0520 | 08/26/25 | Active |
| Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) | Omaha | 4223 Center Street, Omaha, NE 68105 | (402) 898-1349 | 05/17/07 | Active |
| International Council for Refugees and Immigrants | Omaha | 7315 Maple Street, Suite 2, Omaha, NE 68132, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. 04/11/02 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (402) 502-3455 | 10/04/24 | Active |
| Women’s Center for Advancement | Omaha | 3801 Harney Street, Omaha, NE 68131, Schuyler | (402) 345-6555 | 06/21/13 | 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 Nebraska — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Nebraska
- Legal aid in Nebraska — 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).