Procedures

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York — free DOJ-accredited organizations

Name: EOIR Recognized Organizations roster: low-cost immigration help (1,256 nonprofits, 1,420 offices)
Creator: MigrantUSA
License: https://migrantusa.com/terms/

Directory of 151 BIA-recognized non-profits in New York authorized by DOJ to provide low-cost or free immigration legal representation.

Flag: State of New York · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons

Image: Beyond My Ken · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York — free DOJ-accredited organizations

This page lists every non-profit in New York 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 York

151 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for New York, as of the roster published April 20, 2026. 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 Diocese of Albany	Albany	40 North Main Avenue, Albany, NY 12203	(518) 453-6650	11/01/01	Active
Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York	Albany	41 State Street, Suite M112, Albany, NY 12207	(518) 445-6050	05/01/20	Active
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc.	Albany	715 Morris Street, Albany, NY 12208	(518) 621-1041	05/26/21	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	Albany	1 Steuben Place, Albany, NY 12207	—	11/27/24	Active
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants	Albany	99 Pine Street, Suite 101, Albany, NY 12207	(518) 459-1790	04/06/07	Active
Catholic Charities of Long Island	Amityville	143 Schleigel Blvd, Amityville, NY 11701	(631) 789-5210	07/30/25	Active
Center for the Integration & Advancement of New Americans	Astoria	36-12 34th Avenue, 2nd Floor, Astoria, NY 11106	—	06/02/25	Active
HANAC, Inc.	Astoria	23-16 30th Avenue, Annex Building, Astoria, NY 11102	(212) 840-8005	02/19/25	Active
The Ansob Center for Refugees	Astoria	28-19 Steinway Street, 2nd Floor, Astoria, NY 11103	(718) 278-4303	10/08/10	Active (pending renewal)
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.	Batavia	45 Ellicott Street, Suite 1, Batavia, NY 14020	(585) 524-1230	02/06/08	Active
Siddhartha Foundation Inc.	Bellerose	250-14A Hillside Avenue, Ground Floor, Bellerose, NY 11426	(929) 922-0499	08/25/25	Active
American Civic Association	Binghamton	131 Front Street, Binghamton, NY 13905	(607) 723-9419	05/27/25	Active
Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc.	Binghamton	59 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Binghamton, NY 13901	(607) 235-3202	06/02/09	Active
Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN) NY	Brentwood	2000 Brentwood Road, Suite 200, Brentwood, NY 11717	(613) 273-8721	05/24/16	Active
Make the Road New York	Brentwood	1090 Suffolk Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717	(631) 231-2220	06/21/16	Active
Sisters of St. Joseph - Long Island Immigration Clinic	Brentwood	164 Third Avenue, Brentwood, NY 11717	—	09/11/23	Active
BronxWorks	Bronx	1130 Grand Concourse, Suite 3AL, Bronx, NY 10456	(718) 508-3091	11/18/19	Active
DLA Immigration Aid Inc.	Bronx	2825 Third Avenue, Suite 301, Bronx, NY 10455	(347) 688-1519	02/14/25	Active
Legal Services NYC-Bronx	Bronx	349 East 149th Street, 10th Floor, Bronx, NY 10451	(718) 928-3700	11/20/13	Active
Mercy Center, Inc.	Bronx	377 East 145th Street, Bronx, NY 10454	(718) 993-2789	05/17/24	Active
Safe Horizon	Bronx	900 Sheridan Avenue, Bronx, NY 10451	(718) 590-2371	03/25/93	Active
Sanctuary for Families	Bronx	198 E. 161 Street, 2nd Floor, Bronx, NY 10451	(718) 508-1220	02/06/02	Active (pending renewal)
South Bronx United, Inc.	Bronx	814 River Ave, Ste 2-3, Bronx, NY 10451	(718) 404-9281	03/13/15	Active
The Bronx Defenders	Bronx	360 East 161st Street, Bronx, NY 10451	(718) 838-7878	02/13/24	Active
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Inc.	Bronx	1384 Stratford Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472	(718) 328-5622	05/07/21	Active
Arab American Association of New York, Inc.	Brooklyn	7111 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209	(718) 745-3523	08/26/14	Active
Black Alliance for Just Immigration	Brooklyn	1368 Fulton Street, Suite 311, Brooklyn, NY 11216	(347) 464-5422	08/19/25	Active
Brooklyn Chinese-American Association	Brooklyn	5002 8th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220	(718) 438-0008	01/03/25	Active
Brooklyn Defender Services	Brooklyn	177 Livingston Street, 7th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201	(718) 254-0700	02/28/13	Active
CUNY Citizenship Now!	Brooklyn	1150 Carroll Street, Room 226, Brooklyn, NY 11225	(646) 664-9400	08/26/10	Active
Camba, Inc.	Brooklyn	20 Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11226	(718) 940-6311	03/31/25	Active
Catholic Migration Services	Brooklyn	191 Joralemon Street, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201	(718) 236-3000	06/26/25	Active
Central American Legal Assistance	Brooklyn	240 Hooper Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211	(718) 486-6800	12/04/24	Active
Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC)	Brooklyn	4101 8th Avenue, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11232	(718) 492-0409	10/09/24	Active
Coney Island Avenue Communities Inc.	Brooklyn	42 West Street, Suite 320, Brooklyn, NY 11222	(917) 440-9002	11/26/24	Active
Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Brooklyn, Ltd.	Brooklyn	8711 18th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11214	(718) 259-2828	05/01/15	Active
Immigrant Hope - Brooklyn, NY	Brooklyn	6501 6th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11220	(718) 745-7702	05/06/11	Active
Juan Neumann Center	Brooklyn	545 60th Street, Suite 108, Brooklyn, NY 11220	(718) 439-8160	09/16/25	Active
Legal Services NYC	Brooklyn	29 Albany Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11216, Brooklyn, NY 11216	(718) 347-5500	06/03/24	Active
Make the Road New York	Brooklyn	301 Grove Street, Brooklyn, NY 11237	(718) 418-7690	06/21/16	Active
Mixteca Organization Inc.	Brooklyn	245 23rd Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11215	(718) 965-4795	01/27/25	Active
Safe Horizon	Brooklyn	50 Court Street, 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201	(718) 943-8632	03/25/93	Active
Shorefront YM-YWMA of Brighton Manhattan Beach, Inc.	Brooklyn	3300 Coney Island Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11235	(347) 689-1880	05/07/10	Active (pending renewal)
South Side Community Mission, Inc./South Side Mission of Transfiguration Church	Brooklyn	280 Marcy Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211	(718) 387-3803	12/18/79	Active
United Jewish Organizations of Williamsburg and North Brooklyn Inc.	Brooklyn	32 Penn Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249	(718) 643-9700	01/03/25	Active
Catholic Charities of Buffalo	Buffalo	20 Herkimer Street, Buffalo, NY 14213	(716) 218-1450	06/29/11	Active (pending renewal)
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.	Buffalo	438 Main Street, 7th Floor, Buffalo, NY 14202	(716) 847-0662	02/06/08	Active
Jericho Road Ministries, Inc.	Buffalo	184 Barton Street, Buffalo, NY 14213	(716) 348-3000	06/02/17	Active
Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc.	Buffalo	2495 Main Street, Suite 530, Buffalo, NY 14214	(716) 882-4963	06/02/09	Active
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo, Inc.	Buffalo	290 Main Street, Suite 400, Buffalo, NY 14202	(716) 853-9555	10/02/19	Active
Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York	Buffalo	14 Lafayette Square, Suite 510, Buffalo, NY 14203	(716) 844-8266	05/01/20	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	Buffalo	135 Delaware Avenue, Suite 410, Buffalo, NY 14202	—	11/27/24	Active
Make the Road New York	Corona	104-19 Roosevelt Avenue, Corona, NY 11368	(718) 565-8500	06/21/16	Active
North Eastern Expansion Development	Dover Plains	3042 Route 22, P.O. Box 100, Dover Plains, NY 12522	(914) 466-4411	09/15/16	Active
World Immigration Center	Elmhurst	40-06 Case Street, 2nd Floor, Elmhurst, NY 11373	(718) 429-6345	09/25/24	Active
Dash Immigrant Services, Inc.	Flushing	3640 Main Street, Suite 307B, Flushing, NY 11354	(718) 864-1688	06/23/25	Active
MinKwon Center for Community Action	Flushing	133-29 41st Avenue, Suite 202, Flushing, NY 11355	(718) 460-5600	06/11/15	Active
Queens Community House	Forest Hills	108-25 62nd Drive, Forest Hills, NY 11375	(718) 592-5757	09/11/12	Active
Literacy Solutions NY, Inc.	Haverstraw	63 New Main Street, Haverstraw, NY 10927	(845) 499-5464	02/13/19	Active
Worker Justice Center of New York	Hawthorne	245 Saw Mill River Road, Suite 106, Hawthorne, NY 10532	(800) 724-7020	09/17/24	Active
Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN) NY	Hempstead	91 North Franklin Street, Suite 208, Hempstead, NY 11550	(516) 489-8330	05/24/16	Active
Immigrant Justice Corps	Hempstead	91 Franklin Street, Suite 208, Hempstead, NY 11550	—	01/23/15	Active (pending renewal)
The New York Immigration Coalition	Hempstead	91 N. Franklin Street, Hempstead, NY 11550	—	11/27/24	Active
Columbia County Sanctuary Movement	Hudson	541 Warren Street, Hudson, NY 12534	(518) 303-3848	07/17/20	Active
Catholic Charities Tompkins/Tioga	Ithaca	324 W. Buffalo Street, Ithaca, NY 14850	(607) 272-5062	08/20/10	Active
Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc.	Ithaca	950 Danby Road, Suite 160, Ithaca, NY 14850	(607) 235-3202	06/02/09	Active
La Victoria Foundation	Jackson Heights	3753 90th Street, Suite 13B, Jackson Heights, NY 11372	(347) 985-4079	09/05/23	Active (pending renewal)
CUNY Citizenship Now!	Jamaica	94-20 Guy R. Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451	(646) 664-9400	08/26/10	Active
Safe Horizon	Jamaica	151-20 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor, Jamaica, NY 11432	(718) 262-0202	03/25/93	Active
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley	Kingston	550 Aaron Court, Kingston, NY 12401	(845) 331-9373	04/24/24	Active
Worker Justice Center of New York	Kingston	9 Main Street, Kingston, NY 12401	(845) 331-6615	09/17/24	Active
ACCESS of WNY	Lackawanna	609 Ridge Road, Suite 210, Lackawanna, NY 14218	(716) 332-5901	11/13/24	Active
Neighbors Link Corp. d/b/a Neighbors Link Northern Westchester	Mt. Kisco	350 Lexington Avenue, Mt. Kisco, NY 10549	(914) 666-3410	03/02/16	Active (pending renewal)
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley	Nanuet	502 Airport Executive Park, Nanuet, NY 10954	(845) 476-3831	04/24/24	Active
African Communities Together	New York	127 West 127th Street, Suite 221, New York, NY 10027	(347) 746-2281	02/21/20	Active
African Hope Committee	New York	441 Convent Avenue, Suite 4D, New York, NY 10031	(212) 862-9010	05/05/25	Active
African Services Committee	New York	429 West 127th Street, New York, NY 10027	(212) 222-3882	09/18/25	Active
Aid for AIDS International Inc.	New York	131 Varick Street, Suite 1006, New York, NY 10013	(212) 337-8043	08/15/24	Active
Association des Senegalais d’Amerique, ASA, Inc.	New York	209 W. 116th Street, Suite 5, New York, NY 10026	(212) 932-0900	09/22/25	Active
Bellevue/NYU Program for Survivors of Torture (PSOT)	New York	Bellevue Hospital Center, 462 First Avenue, CD 744, New York, NY 10016	(212) 562-8487	12/09/11	Active
CUNY Citizenship Now!	New York	5030 Broadway, Room H201, New York, NY 10034	(646) 664-9400	08/26/10	Active
Cabrini Immigrant Services	New York	701 Fort Washington Ave, New York, NY 10040	(212) 791-4590	01/03/25	Active
Catholic Charities Community Services	New York	80 Maiden Lane, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10038	(212) 419-3700	07/16/25	Active
Chinese-American Planning Council, Inc. (CPC)	New York	45 Suffolk Street, New York, NY 10002	(212) 941-0030	10/09/24	Active
Church World Service New York	New York	475 Riverside Drive, Suite 700, New York, NY 10115	(212) 870-2061	02/27/25	Active
Co-Counsel NYC, Inc.	New York	224 W 35th St, Ste 500 #269, New York, NY 10001	(212) 946-3768	05/29/25	Active
Congregation Beit Simchat Torah	New York	130 West 30th Street, New York, NY 10001	(212) 929-9498	05/21/24	Active
Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS)	New York	1359 Broadway, Suite 810, New York, NY 10018	(212) 967-4100	09/09/25	Active
Her Justice	New York	100 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10005	(212) 695-3800	01/05/16	Active
Hispanic Federation Inc.	New York	55 Exchange Place, Suite 501, New York, NY 10005	(212) 233-8955	02/22/19	Active
Human Rights First	New York	75 Broad Street, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10004	(212) 845-5200	06/20/12	Active
Imigra Foundation LTD	New York	12 East 41st Street, Suite 1401, New York, NY 10017	(646) 590-2476	06/28/24	Active
Immigrant Justice Corps	New York	17 Battery Place, Suite 331, New York, NY 10004	(212) 407-3417	01/23/15	Active (pending renewal)
Immigrant Legal Aid Foundation	New York	1740 Broadway, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10019	(917) 647-2023	12/30/24	Active
Immigration Law & Justice New York	New York	475 Riverside Drive, #727, New York, NY 10115	(212) 870-3785	06/04/25	Active
International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)	New York	One Battery Park Plaza, 33rd Floor, New York, NY 10004	(516) 238-5195	02/25/25	Active
International Rescue Committee, Inc.	New York	122 East 42nd Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10168-1289	(212) 551-3000	02/23/96	Active
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement	New York	10-25 41st Ave, New York, NY 11101	(748) 784-7447	04/16/24	Active
Legal Services NYC	New York	40 Worth Street, Suite 606, New York, NY 10013	—	06/03/24	Active
NALEO Educational Fund	New York	14 Wall Street, Suite 5E, New York, NY 10005	(212) 546-2536	04/17/23	Active
Neighborhood Defender Service, Inc.	New York	317 Lenox Avenue, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10027	(212) 876-5500	11/06/15	Active
New York City Gay and Lesbian Anti-Violence Project	New York	116 Nassau Street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10038	(212) 714-1184	01/07/16	Active
Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR)	New York	5030 Broadway, Suite 639, New York, NY 10034	(212) 781-0355	08/13/24	Active
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC)	New York	45 Wadsworth Avenue, Suite 7th Floor, New York, NY 10033	(212) 822-8310	07/21/17	Active (pending renewal)
Project Rousseau	New York	1560 Broadway #805, New York, NY 10036	(917) 719-1060	12/10/24	Active
Sanctuary for Families	New York	30 Wall Street, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10005	(212) 349-6009	02/06/02	Active (pending renewal)
The Center for Family Representation	New York	40 Worth Street, Suite 605, New York, NY 10013	(212) 691-0950	12/09/24	Active
The Door - A Center of Alternatives	New York	121 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 308, New York, NY 10013	(212) 941-9090	04/03/20	Active
The Legal Aid Society	New York	49 Thomas Street, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10013	(212) 577-3000	08/09/24	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	New York	131 West 33rd Street, Floor 6, New York, NY 10001	(212) 627-2227	11/27/24	Active
The New York Legal Assistance Group	New York	100 Pearl Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10004	(212) 613-5000	02/29/08	Active
UnLocal, Inc.	New York	45 West 29th Street, Suite 203, New York, NY 10001	(646) 216-8210	03/02/16	Active
Urban Justice Center	New York	40 Rector Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 11206	(646) 602-5607	05/18/18	Active
Carol Cole Global Ventures Inc.	New York City	244 5th Avenue, Suite 2774, New York City, NY 10001	(212) 301-2644	04/07/23	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	Newburgh	120 South Street, Newburgh, NY 12550	—	11/27/24	Active
Neighbors Link Corp. d/b/a Neighbors Link Northern Westchester	Ossining	23-25 Spring Street, Suite 201, Ossining, NY 10562	(914) 666-3410	03/02/16	Active (pending renewal)
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley	Peekskill	1 Park Place, Suite 202, Peekskill, NY 10566	(914) 402-2192	04/24/24	Active
Saathi of Rochester, Inc.	Pittsford	640 Kreag Road, Suite 202 Unit B2, Pittsford, NY 14534	(585) 234-1050	06/05/08	Active
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley	Poughkeepsie	1 Civic Center Plaza, 5th Floor, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601	(845) 471-0058	04/24/24	Active
DSI International Inc.	Queens Village	214-51 Jamaica Avenue, 2nd Floor, Queens Village, NY 11428	(347) 257-4244	12/05/24	Active
Catholic Charities Family and Community Services (CCFCS)	Rochester	87 North Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604-1407	(585) 546-7220	07/30/25	Active
Enlace Services, Inc.	Rochester	228 South Plymouth Avenue, Rochester, NY 14508	(585) 201-8897	12/30/24	Active
Journey’s End Refugee Services, Inc.	Rochester	100 S Clinton Avenue, 24th Floor, Rochester, NY 14604	(716) 352-9818	06/02/09	Active
Legal Aid Society of Rochester, Inc.	Rochester	One West Main Street, Rochester, NY 14614	(585) 232-4090	07/06/05	Active (pending renewal)
Mary’s Place Refugee Outreach	Rochester	414 Lexington Avenue, Rochester, NY 14613	(585) 270-8626	05/30/19	Active
New Hope Free Methodist Church	Rochester	62 North Union Street, Rochester, NY 14607	(585) 760-4328	11/23/18	Active
Rochester Refugee Resettlement Services	Rochester	393 Lexington Avenue, Rochester, NY 14613	(585) 319-3134	02/21/25	Active
Succor Immigration Services Inc.	Rochester	Center 4 Hope, 1301 Vintages Lane, Rochester, NY 14626	(585) 507-0366	12/03/24	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	Rochester	18 Harvard Street, Suite #11, Rochester, NY 14607	—	11/27/24	Active
Worker Justice Center of New York	Rochester	1187 Culver Road, Rochester, NY 14609	(585) 430-5282	09/17/24	Active
The Capital District Women’s Bar Association Legal Project, Inc.	Schenectady	204 Lafayette Street, Suite 2, Schenectady, NY 12305	(518) 435-1770	11/25/14	Active
Konbit Neg Lakay, Inc.	Spring Valley	16 East Church Street, Spring Valley, NY 10977	(845) 425-4623	09/28/23	Active (pending renewal)
Make the Road New York	Staten Island	161 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302	(718) 727-1222	06/21/16	Active
Staten Island Community Job Center Inc. dba La Colmena	Staten Island	774 Port Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10302	(718) 442-7700	04/07/25	Active
Catholic Migration Services	Sunnyside	47-01 Queens Boulevard, Suite 203, Sunnyside, NY 11104	(347) 472-3500	06/26/25	Active
Sunnyside Community Services, Inc.	Sunnyside	43-31 39th Street, 2nd Floor, Sunnyside, NY 11104	(718) 784-6173	06/08/21	Active
Catholic Charities of Onondaga County	Syracuse	527 N. Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13208	(315) 474-7428	08/14/12	Active
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society	Syracuse	351 S. Warren Street, 3rd Floor, Syracuse, NY 13202	(315) 422-8191	01/03/25	Active
InterFaith Works of Central New York	Syracuse	1010 James Street, Floor 1, Syracuse, NY 13203	(315) 449-3552	07/13/18	Active
The New York Immigration Coalition	Syracuse	2013 E. Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY 13210	—	11/27/24	Active
Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc.	Syracuse	221 S. Warren Street, Suite 200, Syracuse, NY 13202	(315) 579-2576	12/09/24	Active
Church Communities International	Ulster Park	100 Maple Ridge Drive, Ulster Park, NY 12487	(845) 399-6680	08/15/24	Active
Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees, Inc.	Utica	201 Bleecker Street, Utica, NY 13501	(315) 738-1083	06/18/25	Active
Legal Services of the Hudson Valley	White Plains	90 Maple Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601	(914) 949-1305	04/24/24	Active
Make the Road New York	White Plains	46 Waller Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605	(914) 948-0311	06/21/16	Active
My Sisters’ Place	White Plains	3 Barker Avenue, 5th Floor, White Plains, NY 10601	(914) 683-1333	08/09/24	Active
Bible Fellowship Pentecostal Assembly of New York, Inc.	Yonkers	172 Elm Street, Yonkers, NY 10701	(718) 324-3181	08/25/15	Active
Empire Justice Center	Yonkers	30 South Broadway, Suite 701E, Yonkers, NY 10701	(914) 595-0910	12/17/24	Active
Literacy Solutions NY, Inc.	Yonkers	Yonkers Riverfront Library, 1 Larkin Center, 2nd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10701	(914) 375-7964	02/13/19	Active
My Sisters’ Place	Yonkers	487 South Broadway, 2nd Floor, Yonkers, NY 10705	(914) 358-0333	08/09/24	Active
Neighbors Link Corp. d/b/a Neighbors Link Northern Westchester	Yonkers	320 Walnut Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701	(914) 666-3410	03/02/16	Active (pending renewal)

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.

Immigration court in New York — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of New York
Legal aid in New York — 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: 2026-09-01. 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 valid for six years, except that an organization recognized for the first time receives conditional recognition valid for two years (8 CFR 1292.11(f)); the three-year term is the validity period of an individual representative’s accreditation, not the organization’s recognition (8 CFR 1292.12(d)). Renewals require re-application and updated documentation. As of the 2026-04-20 EOIR roster: 1,452 recognized organizations operate 1,564 offices nationwide, staffed by representatives holding Full Accreditation (court representation) or Partial Accreditation (USCIS-only practice).

To be recognized, an organization must be a non-profit that provides immigration legal services primarily to low-income and indigent clients, and if it charges fees it must have a written policy for accommodating clients unable to pay; EOIR reviews its fee schedule, fee-waiver policy and annual budget as part of recognition (8 CFR 1292.11(a)(1) and (b)). Each organization sets its own fees, and neither EOIR nor any other national source publishes what recognized non-profits — or private immigration attorneys — actually charge. Ask for the fee schedule in writing and compare quotes before you commit.

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.

EOIR Hotline for case status: 1-800-898-7180 (24/7 automated; English/Spanish menu).

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York

151 locations/organizations on record in New York. Always verify directly before visiting.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Albany
Albany
Prisoners' Legal Services of New York
Albany
Refugee and Immigrant Support Services of Emmaus, Inc.
Albany
The New York Immigration Coalition
Albany
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Albany
Catholic Charities of Long Island
Amityville
Center for the Integration & Advancement of New Americans
Astoria
HANAC, Inc.
Astoria
The Ansob Center for Refugees
Astoria
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc.
Batavia
Siddhartha Foundation Inc.
Bellerose
American Civic Association
Binghamton
Journey's End Refugee Services, Inc.
Binghamton
Central American Refugee Center (CARECEN) NY
Brentwood
Make the Road New York
Brentwood
Sisters of St. Joseph - Long Island Immigration Clinic
Brentwood
BronxWorks
Bronx
DLA Immigration Aid Inc.
Bronx
Legal Services NYC-Bronx
Bronx
Mercy Center, Inc.
Bronx
Safe Horizon
Bronx
Sanctuary for Families
Bronx
South Bronx United, Inc.
Bronx
The Bronx Defenders
Bronx
Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, Inc.
Bronx

…and 126 more.

Frequently asked questions

What is BIA recognition?

BIA recognition is authorization from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Board of Immigration Appeals for a non-profit organization to provide immigration legal representation. Once recognized, the organization can have BIA-accredited representatives (non-attorneys) provide legal services free or at reduced cost; a recognized organization must serve primarily low-income and indigent clients and, if it charges fees, must have a written policy for accommodating clients unable to pay (8 CFR 1292.11(a)(1)). BIA-recognized organizations are listed publicly in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster, updated quarterly.

How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?

Attorneys are licensed by state bars and can practice all areas of law. BIA-recognized organizations are non-profits whose accredited representatives (Full or Partial Accreditation) can practice ONLY immigration law before USCIS, EOIR (immigration courts), and the BIA. Recognized orgs are typically much cheaper or free. Full Accreditation allows representation in immigration court hearings; Partial only allows USCIS filings.

How do I know if a New York organization is currently BIA-recognized?

Search the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster at justice.gov/eoir/recognition-accreditation-roster-reports. Confirm the organization name AND check the ‘Status’ column for ‘Active’ (vs. Pending Renewal, Provisional, or Expired). The roster is updated quarterly; this page lists the orgs as of the most recent published roster.

Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in New York?

Many BIA-recognized organizations provide representation free to low-income clients; others charge a reduced or sliding-scale fee. To be recognized, an organization must be a non-profit that provides immigration legal services primarily to low-income and indigent clients, and if it charges fees it must have a written policy for accommodating clients unable to pay (8 CFR 1292.11(a)(1)). Each organization sets its own fees and no national source publishes what they charge, so we do not quote a range — ask what your case will cost and confirm fees BEFORE signing a representation agreement.

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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.

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York — free DOJ-accredited organizations

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York — free DOJ-accredited organizations

BIA-recognized organizations in New York

How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization

Related procedural information

BIA recognition program context (2025-2026)

BIA-recognized immigration help in New York

Frequently asked questions

Related resources

Major federal procedures

Detention and constitutional rights

Finances for immigrants

The rules change. Hear about it first.