BIA-recognized immigration help in Pennsylvania — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
30 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Pennsylvania. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CASA, Inc. | Chambersburg | 907 Roosevelt Avenue, York, PA 17404 | (717) 219-7974 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton | Chambersburg | 200 W Church Street, Hazleton, PA 18201, Hummelstown | (570) 455-1521 | 01/14/25 | Active |
| Community Justice Project | Chambersburg | 111 South Maine Avenue, Scranton, PA 18504, Sharon Hill | (570) 354-2741 | 09/16/19 | Active |
| Franklin County Legal Services | Chambersburg | 336 Lincoln Way East, Suite B, Chambersburg, PA 17201, Erie | (717) 262-2326 | 01/16/15 | Active |
| Friends of Farmworkers d/b/a Justice at Work | Chambersburg | 1010 Western Avenue, Suite 300, Pittsburg, PA 15233, Pittsburgh | (412) 701-4368 | 06/21/21 | Active |
| Nationalities Service Center | Chambersburg | 1216 Arch Street, 4th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 191075812, New World Association of Emigrants from Eastern Europe 06/09/17 11/26/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (215) 893-8400 | 07/02/58 | Active |
| Multicultural Community Resource Center (MCRC) | Erie | 554 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16503, Harrisburg | (814) 455-0212 | 03/17/25 | Active |
| Church World Service Lancaster | Harrisburg | 2101 N. Front Street, Building 3, Suite 301, Harrisburg, PA 17110, Compass Immigration Legal Services 02/09/24 02/09/26* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (717) 358-9351 | 08/17/06 | Active |
| International Service Center, Inc. | Harrisburg | 21 South River Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101, Havertown, PRIME - Ecumenical Commitment to Refugees 02/23/96 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (717) 236-9401 | 12/19/24 | Active |
| Immigrant Hope - South Central PA | Hummelstown | 216 E. Canal Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036, Lancaster | (717) 673-2019 | 01/16/25 | Active |
| Church World Service Lancaster | Lancaster | 158 E. King St, Lancaster, PA 17602, PRIME - Ecumenical Commitment to Refugees 02/23/96 09/20/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | — | 08/17/06 | Active |
| Global Arrival Aid Charities | Milton | 25 Belford Blvd, Suite 3, Milton, PA 17847, Philadelphia | (570) 212-9211 | 05/29/24 | Active |
| African Cultural Alliance of North America Inc. | Philadelphia | 5530 Chester Avenue, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19143 | (215) 729-8225 | 07/28/10 | Active |
| Catholic Social Services, Archdiocese of Philadelphia Immigration Legal Services | Philadelphia | 222 N. 17th Street, Suite 901, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 854-7019 | 07/08/25 | Active |
| Esperanza Immigration Legal Services (EILS) | Philadelphia | 4261 North 5th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19140 | (215) 324-0746 | 04/13/11 | Active |
| Friends of Farmworkers d/b/a Justice at Work | Philadelphia | 990 Spring Garden Street, Suite 300, Philadelphia, PA 19123 | (215) 733-0878 | 06/21/21 | Active |
| HIAS Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | 123 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19109 | (215) 832-0900 | 08/11/25 | Active |
| Migrance Initiative Inc. | Philadelphia | 4701 B Street, Suite 1-B, Philadelphia, PA 19120 | (267) 270-7265 | 03/04/25 | Active |
| The Sisters of Saint Joseph Welcome Center | Philadelphia | 728 E. Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19134, Pittsburg | (215) 634-1696 | 06/29/11 | Active |
| Acculturation for Justice, Access and Peace Outreach (AJAPO) | Pittsburgh | 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 | (412) 391-4985 | 09/01/09 | Active |
| Arise Immigration Services | Pittsburgh | 1217 Biltmore Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216, Arise Immigration Services | (412) 445-7604 | 06/11/24 | Active |
| Casa San Jose | Pittsburgh | 2116 Broadway Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15216 | (412) 343-3111 | 06/08/18 | Active |
| Christian Immigration Advocacy Center | Pittsburgh | Allegheny Center Alliance Church, 250 East Ohio Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15212 | (412) 532-6181 | 05/11/18 | Active |
| Global Arrival Aid Charities | Pittsburgh | 5743 Bartlett Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15217, Reading | (412) 422-7200 | 05/29/24 | Active |
| Community Justice Project | Reading | 35 North 6th Street, Mez 103, Reading, PA 19601, Community Justice Project | (610) 370-7296 | 09/16/19 | Active |
| Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton | Scranton | 300 Wyoming Avenue, Scranton, PA 18509 | (570) 207-2283 | 01/14/25 | Active |
| Women’s Faith Circle Legal Services | Sharon Hill | 122 Reese Street, Sharon Hill, PA 19079, West Chester | (267) 367-2488 | 11/20/24 | Active |
| Westside Community Center | West Chester | 430 Hannum Avenue, West Chester, PA 19380, Wilkes Barre | (610) 314-4327 | 12/16/24 | Active |
| Catholic Social Services Diocese of Scranton | Williamsport | 33 East Northampton Street, Wilkes Barre, PA 18701, Williamsport, Thrive International Programs, Inc. 09/08/17 09/24/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (570) 822-7118 | 01/14/25 | Active |
| Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center | York | 294 Pleasant Acres Road, Suite 202, York, PA 17402, Pennsylvania Immigration Resource Center | (717) 600-8099 | 06/26/25 | 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 Pennsylvania — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Pennsylvania
- Legal aid in Pennsylvania — 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).