BIA-recognized immigration help in Virginia — free DOJ-accredited 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).