Free immigration legal help in Virginia — BIA-recognized organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Virginia 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 Virginia
25 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Virginia. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| African Communities Together | Alexandria | — | 02/21/20 | Active | |
| Ayuda | Alexandria | 2701 Prosperity Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22031 | (703) 444-7009 | 09/18/24 | Active |
| CASA, Inc. | Alexandria | 2359 Research Court, Woodbridge, VA 22192 | (571) 421-2211 | 10/25/10 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington - Hogar Immigrant Services | Alexandria | 6301 Little River Turnpike, Suite 300, Alexandria, VA 22312, Annandale | (703) 534-9805 | 03/29/04 | Active |
| Commonwealth Catholic Charities | Alexandria | 12284 Warwick Boulevard, Sute 1-G, Newport News, VA 23606, Richmond | (757) 247-3600 | 02/23/96 | Active |
| Commonwealth Catholic Charities | Alexandria | 2131 Valley View Blvd NW, Roanoke, VA 24012 | (540) 342-7561 | 02/23/96 | Active |
| International Rescue Committee, Inc. | Alexandria | — | 02/23/96 | Active | |
| International Rescue Committee, Inc. | Alexandria | — | 02/23/96 | Active | |
| Just Neighbors Ministry, Inc. | Alexandria | 301 N. Cameron Street #103, Winchester, VA 22601, Woodbridge | (703) 979-1240 | 11/21/24 | Active |
| Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) | Alexandria | — | 12/04/24 | Active | |
| National Korean American Service and Education Consortium | Alexandria | 11350 Random Hills Road, Suite 230, Fairfax, VA 22030, Falls Church | (703) 256-2208 | 08/11/16 | Active |
| Just Neighbors Ministry, Inc. | Annandale | 7630 Little River Tpke, Suite 900, Annandale, VA 22003 | (703) 979-1240 | 11/21/24 | Active |
| National Korean American Service and Education Consortium | Annandale | 4304 Evergreen Lane, Suite 104, Annandale, VA 22003, Arlington | (703) 256-2208 | 08/11/16 | Active |
| ECDC African Community Center Arlington | Arlington | 901 South Highland Street, Arlington, VA 22204 | (703) 685-0510 | 01/03/13 | Active |
| Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (RILA) | Arlington | 1815 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA 22207, Charlottesville | (571) 429-5410 | 04/13/16 | Active |
| Sin Barreras (Without Borders) | Charlottesville | 425 Seminole Trail, Suite 310, P.O Box 6433, Charlottesville, VA 22901, Fairfax | (434) 531-0104 | 11/18/15 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection - Fairfax | Fairfax | 11451 Braddock Road, Fairfax, VA 22030 | (703) 745-1030 | 02/27/26 | Active |
| International Commission for Dalit Rights, Inc. (ICDR) | Fairfax | 3615 Chain Bridge Rd, Unit C, Fairfax, VA 22030 | (202) 538-1435 | 08/05/24 | Active |
| Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area | Fairfax | 3975 Fair Ridge Drive, Suite 100 North, Fairfax, VA 22033 | (202) 723-3000 | 06/26/90 | Active |
| Tahirih Justice Center | Falls Church | 6400 Arlington Blvd, Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22042, Fredericksburg | (571) 282-6161 | 03/22/10 | Active |
| LUCHA Ministries, Inc. | Fredericksburg | 1019 Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, Harrisonburg, Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program-Harrisonburg Office 01/06/06 11/29/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (540) 370-4502 | 06/14/16 | Active |
| Shenandoah Valley Immigrant Resource Center | Harrisonburg | 25 N Liberty Street, Suite #E, Harrisonburg, VA 22802, Newport News | (540) 383-7455 | 03/06/26 | Active |
| Commonwealth Catholic Charities | Richmond | 1601 Rolling Hills Drive, Richmond, VA 23229 | (804) 545-5900 | 02/23/96 | Active |
| Sacred Heart Center, Inc. | Richmond | 1400 Perry Street, Richmond, VA 23224, Roanoke | (804) 230-4399 | 04/06/18 | Active |
| Immigrant Connection - Blue Ridge | Roanoke | 3706 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke, VA 24019, Winchester, Church World Service Immigration and Refugee Program-Harrisonburg Office 01/06/06 11/29/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (540) 529-4101 | 09/01/16 | 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 Virginia — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Virginia
- Legal aid in Virginia — 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 Virginia
25 locations/organizations on record in Virginia. Always verify directly before visiting.
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Arlington - Hogar Immigrant Services
Alexandria - Just Neighbors Ministry, Inc.
Alexandria - National Korean American Service and Education Consortium
Alexandria - African Communities Together
Alexandria - ECDC African Community Center Arlington
Alexandria - Restoration Immigration Legal Aid (RILA)
Alexandria - International Rescue Committee, Inc.
Alexandria - Sin Barreras (Without Borders)
Alexandria - Ayuda
Alexandria - Immigrant Connection - Fairfax
Alexandria - International Commission for Dalit Rights, Inc. (ICDR)
Alexandria - Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Alexandria - Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Alexandria - National Korean American Service and Education Consortium
Alexandria - Tahirih Justice Center
Alexandria - LUCHA Ministries, Inc.
Alexandria - Shenandoah Valley Immigrant Resource Center
Alexandria - Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Alexandria - Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Alexandria - International Rescue Committee, Inc.
Alexandria - Sacred Heart Center, Inc.
Alexandria - Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Alexandria - Immigrant Connection - Blue Ridge
Alexandria - Just Neighbors Ministry, Inc.
Alexandria - CASA, Inc.
Alexandria
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Virginia organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Virginia?
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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.