BIA-recognized immigration help in New Mexico — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in New Mexico 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 New Mexico
13 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for New Mexico. 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 Albuquerque | Albuquerque | 2010 Bridge Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 | (505) 724-4670 | 07/09/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Albuquerque | Albuquerque | 1234 San Felipe Avenue, Santa Fe, NM 87505 | (505) 424-7989 | 07/09/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico | Albuquerque | 510 South Lincoln Avenue, Roswell, NM 88203, Santa Fe | (575) 622-1636 | 04/14/10 | Active |
| Enlace Comunitario | Albuquerque | 2425 Alamo Avenue SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, Enlace Comunitario | (505) 246-8972 | 10/10/24 | Active |
| Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains | Albuquerque | 230 Truman Street NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 | (505) 933-7032 | 06/07/05 | Active |
| Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains | Albuquerque | 250 S. Main Street, Las Cruses, NM 88001, Roswell | (303) 217-5189 | 06/07/05 | Active |
| New Mexico Immigrant Law Center | Albuquerque | 625 Silver Ave SW, Suite 410, Albuquerque, NM 87102, New Mexico Immigrant Law Center | (505) 247-1023 | 07/01/16 | Active |
| New Mexico Immigrant Law Center | Albuquerque | 600 Montana Ave, Suite G, Las Cruces, NM 88001, Las Cruses | (505) 247-1023 | 07/01/16 | Active |
| New Mexico Immigrant Law Center | Albuquerque | 1234 A San Felipe Ave, Santa Fe, NM 87194 | (505) 247-1023 | 07/01/16 | Active |
| Santa Fe Dreamers Project dba Contigo Immigrant Justice | Albuquerque | 801 Tijeras Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, Las Cruces | (505) 699-6043 | 05/04/18 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico | Las Cruces | 125 West Mountain Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88005, Catholic Charities of Southern New Mexico | (575) 527-0500 | 04/14/10 | Active |
| Dona Ana County Colonias Development Council | Las Cruces | 1050 Monte Vista Ave, Las Cruces, NM 88001 | (575) 647-2477 | 02/27/14 | Active |
| Santa Fe Dreamers Project dba Contigo Immigrant Justice | Santa Fe | 1533 South Saint Francis Drive, Suite E, Santa Fe, NM 87505 | (505) 490-2789 | 05/04/18 | 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 New Mexico — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of New Mexico
- Legal aid in New Mexico — 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).