Free immigration legal help in Nebraska — BIA-recognized 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).
BIA-recognized immigration help in Nebraska
20 locations/organizations on record in Nebraska. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Centro Hispano Comunitario de Nebraska
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Multicultural Coalition
Columbus - Saint Mary's Immigration Program
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Saint Mary's Immigration Program
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Center for Legal Immigration Assistance
Columbus - International Council for Refugees and Immigrants
Columbus - Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - International Council for Refugees and Immigrants
Columbus - Women's Center for Advancement
Columbus - Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus - Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA)
Columbus
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Nebraska organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Nebraska?
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.