Free immigration legal help in Ohio — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Ohio 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 Ohio
19 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Ohio. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. | Akron | 130 West Second Street, Suite 700 East, Dayton, OH 45402, Fostoria | (937) 228-8104 | 07/22/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland | Akron | Blessed Trinity Parish, 300 East Tallmadge Avenue, Akron, OH 44310, International Institute of Akron 07/01/58 08/07/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (216) 939-3769 | 12/04/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland | Akron | 8 North State, Suite 455, Painesville, OH 44077, Toledo | (216) 939-3728 | 12/04/24 | Active |
| Cristo Rey Center | Akron | 105 North Stone Street, Freont, OH 43420, New Franklin | (419) 619-3625 | 11/01/24 | Active |
| U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants | Akron | 3167 Fulton Road, Suite 106, Cleveland, OH 44109, Columbus | (216) 250-1574 | 04/06/07 | Active |
| Logistic Assistance for Migrant People | Archbold | 300 Short Buehrer Road, Archbold, OH 43502, Cincinnati | (419) 445-0728 | 04/02/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio | Cincinnati | 7162 Reading Road, Suite 600-700, Cincinnati, OH 45237 | (513) 672-3746 | 08/23/10 | Active |
| Immigrant and Refugee Law Center | Cincinnati | 3724 St. Lawrence Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45205, Cleveland | (513) 828-0577 | 05/07/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland | Cleveland | 7800 Detroit Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44102 | (216) 281-7005 | 12/04/24 | Active |
| IMAGO Immigration Legal Services dba Building Hope in the City | Cleveland | 15135 Triskett Road, Cleveland, OH 44111 | (216) 241-9400 | 12/10/24 | Active |
| AO: Advocating Opportunity, Inc. | Columbus | 92 Jefferson Ave., Columbus, OH 43215 | (855) 855-1945 | 12/22/25 | Active |
| Catholic Social Services | Columbus | 409 Industry Drive, Columbus, OH 43204 | (614) 340-7061 | 12/09/24 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection at La Gran Comision Wesleyan Church | Columbus | 536 Norton Road, Columbus, OH 43228 | (614) 954-5226 | 01/17/25 | Active |
| US Together, Inc. | Columbus | 1415 E. Dublin-Granville Road, Suite 100, Columbus, OH 43229, Dayton | (614) 437-9941 | 07/10/12 | Active |
| Cristo Rey Center | Fostoria | 339 Sandusky Street, Fostoria, OH 44830, Freont | (440) 316-2618 | 11/01/24 | Active |
| International Welcome Center | New Franklin | 5781 Manchester Road, New Franklin, OH 44319, Painesville | (330) 882-4916 | 04/01/21 | Active |
| Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc. | Toledo | 525 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 300, Toledo, OH 43604 | (419) 255-0814 | 07/22/25 | Active |
| Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC) | Toledo | 2900 Carskaddon Avenue, Toledo, OH 43606, West Carrollton | (419) 902-7732 | 03/01/21 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection - Dayton | West Carrollton | 3634 Watertower Lane, Suite 1, West Carrollton, OH 45449 | (937) 802-2012 | 07/24/23 | 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 Ohio — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Ohio
- Legal aid in Ohio — 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 Ohio
19 locations/organizations on record in Ohio. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland
Akron - Logistic Assistance for Migrant People
Akron - Catholic Charities of Southwestern Ohio
Akron - Immigrant and Refugee Law Center
Akron - Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland
Akron - IMAGO Immigration Legal Services dba Building Hope in the City
Akron - U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
Akron - AO: Advocating Opportunity, Inc.
Akron - Catholic Social Services
Akron - Immigrant Connection at La Gran Comision Wesleyan Church
Akron - US Together, Inc.
Akron - Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
Akron - Cristo Rey Center
Akron - Cristo Rey Center
Akron - International Welcome Center
Akron - Catholic Charities Corp., Diocese of Cleveland
Akron - Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, Inc.
Akron - Social Services for the Arab Community (SSFAC)
Akron - Immigrant Connection - Dayton
Akron
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Ohio organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Ohio?
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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.