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Free immigration legal help in Washington — BIA-recognized organizations

Directory of 56 BIA-recognized non-profits in Washington authorized by DOJ to provide low-cost or free immigration legal representation.

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Free immigration legal help in Washington — BIA-recognized organizations

This page lists every non-profit in Washington 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 Washington

56 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Washington. These non-profits are authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals to provide immigration legal representation at low or no cost.

OrganizationCityAddressPhoneRecognizedStatus
Human Rights First—06/20/12Active
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area1730 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Suite 712, Washington, DC 20036(202) 723-300006/26/90Active
Catholic Charities Eastern WashingtonBellingham301 S 20th Ave, Pasco, WA 99301, Port Townsend(509) 638-398406/09/25Active
Central Washington Legal AidBellingham204 12TH Ave. SW, Ephrata, WA 98823, Everett—04/23/25Active
Community Services of NevadaBellingham539 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402(702) 307-171006/27/24Active
International Rescue Committee, Inc.Bellingham—02/23/96Active
International Rescue Committee, Inc.Bellingham—02/23/96Active
Kitsap Immigrant Assistance CenterBellingham1111 Franklin Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368, Richland(360) 616-047910/24/14Active
Korean Women’s AssociationBellingham31635 23rd Ave South, Federal Way, WA 98003(253) 946-199511/08/24Active
Korean Women’s AssociationBellingham4629 168th Street SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037(425) 742-639611/08/24Active
Korean Women’s AssociationBellingham1031 State Ave Unit 102, Marysville, WA 98270, Mount Vernon, Catholic Immigration Legal Services 02/15/01 06/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(253) 549-928511/08/24Active
Lutheran Community Services NorthwestBellingham4040 South 188th Street, SeaTac, WA 98188(206) 901-168501/28/92Active
Lutheran Community Services NorthwestBellingham911 Stewart Street, Seattle, WA 98101(206) 694-570001/28/92Active
Lutheran Community Services NorthwestBellingham3600 Main Street, Suite 200, Vancouver, WA 98663, Wenatchee(360) 694-562401/28/92Active
Multicultural Self-Sufficiency MovementBellingham32008 32nd Avenue South, Federal Way, WA 98001, Granger, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project 02/23/96 06/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(253) 584-561504/02/12Active
Neighborhood HouseBellingham13111 SE 274th Street, Suite 226, Kent, WA 98030(253) 277-166711/22/24Active
Neighborhood HouseBellingham14900 Interurban Avenue South, Suite 210, Tukwila, WA 98168, Vancouver(206) 923-670011/22/24Active
Refugee & Immigrant Services NWBellinghamc/o Bellingham Community Service Office, 4101 Meridian Street, Bellingham, WA 98226, Bremerton(360) 714-414801/10/25Active
Refugee & Immigrant Services NWBellinghamWA State Dept of Social and Health Services (DSHS) Alderwood Community Service, Office (CSO), 20311 52nd Avenue W, Suite 100, Lynnwood, WA 98036, Marysville(425) 977-640401/10/25Active
Refugee & Immigrant Services NWBellingham12420 Evergreen Drive, Mukilteo, WA 98275, Pasco(425) 430-822901/10/25Active
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)Bellingham124 4th Avenue S., Kent, WA 98032, The West African Community Council (WACC) 03/25/16 11/15/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(253) 859-619703/28/24Active
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)Bellingham—03/28/24Active
World ReliefBellingham23835 Pacific Highway South, Suite 100, Kent, WA 98032, Lakewood(253) 277-112109/25/24Active
World ReliefBellingham—09/25/24Active
Kitsap Immigrant Assistance CenterBremertonP.O. Box 1276, Bremerton, WA 98337, Ephrata(360) 616-047910/24/14Active
Refugee & Immigrant Services NWEverettc/o Everett Community College, Rainier Hall, 2000 Tower Street, Mailstop 41, Room 228, Everett, WA 98201, Refugee & Immigrant Services NW(425) 388-931201/10/25Active
Jewish Family Service SeattleKent841 Central Avenue N, # 220, Kent, WA 98032(253) 850-406506/23/17Active
Refugee Federation Service CenterKent1209 Central Avenue South, Suite 133-134, Kent, WA 98032(206) 501-410210/11/16Active
Multicultural Self-Sufficiency MovementLakewood3820 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Lakewood, WA 98499, Lynnwood(253) 584-561504/02/12Active
Skagit Legal AidMount Vernon325 Pine Street, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273, Mt. Vernon—02/04/25Active
Asian Counseling & Referral ServiceSeattle3639 Martin Luther King Jr Way South, Seattle, WA 98144, Catholic Immigration Legal Services 02/15/01 06/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(206) 695-760005/21/25Active
Chinese Information and Service CenterSeattle611 South Lane Street, Seattle, WA 98104, Horn of Africa Services 08/29/23 08/29/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(206) 624-563305/25/22Active
Literacy SourceSeattle3200 NE 125th Street, Seattle, WA 98125(206) 782-205001/30/13Active
Neighborhood HouseSeattle1225 South Weller Street, Suite 510, Seattle, WA 98144, Neighborhood House, 8th Avenue Extension Office, 9800 8th Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98106, Neighborhood House(206) 461-455411/22/24Active
Refugee Women’s Alliance (ReWA)Seattle4008 Martin Luther King Jr. Way S., Seattle, WA 98108, Sea Mar’s Citizenship Program 04/26/17 08/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(206) 721-024303/28/24Active
St. James Immigrant AssistanceSeattle804 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, The West African Community Council (WACC) 03/25/16 11/15/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(206) 382-451107/05/11Active
Catholic Charities Eastern WashingtonSpokaneP.O. Box 2253, Spokane, WA 99210(509) 358-425006/09/25Active
Manzanita HouseSpokane222 W Mission Ave, Suite 210, Spokane, WA 99201, Sunnyside(509) 309-840406/09/25Active
Nuestra CasaSunnyside301 S. 7th Street, Sunnyside, WA 98944, Tacoma(509) 839-760203/12/20Active
Korean Women’s AssociationTacoma123 East 96th Street, Tacoma, WA 98445, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project 02/23/96 06/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(253) 535-420211/08/24Active
Tacoma Community HouseTacoma1314 S. L Street, P.O. Box 5107, Tacoma, WA 98405, Tukwila(253) 383-395101/29/08Active
African Communities TogetherWashington700 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Second Floor, Washington, DC 20003(202) 816-041602/21/20Active
Amica Center for Immigrant RightsWashington1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 701, Washington, DC 20036(202) 899-142411/19/24Active
AsylumWorksWashington1718 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20009(202) 567-798011/26/24Active
AyudaWashington1990 K Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20006(202) 387-484809/18/24Active
Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of WashingtonWashington924 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001-4532, Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, Monroe Street - Washington, D.C. Extension Office, 1618 Monroe Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010(202) 939-242009/19/25Active
Catholic Immigration Service, Inc.Washington1720 I Street, NW, Suite 607A, Washington, DC 20006(202) 466-661102/23/96Active
Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) - Washington, DC OfficeWashington1460 Columbia Rd., NW, Suite C-1, Washington, DC 20009(202) 328-979902/23/96Active
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)Washington1750 H Street NW, Suite 600, Box #24, Washington, DC 20006, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)(202) 824-869012/04/24Active
Nigerian Center Inc.Washington1231 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020(202) 330-035202/05/26Active
Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC International)Washington4121 Harewood Road NE, Suite B, Washington, DC 20017(703) 720-926410/24/24Active
Trabajadores Unidos de Washington D.C. (Workers United of Washington D.C.)Washington1419 V Street NW, Suite 305, Washington, DC 20009(202) 299-016212/09/24Active
Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker HealthWashington1377 R Street, NW, Suite 200, Washington, DC 20009, Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health, 14th Street NW / Washington, DC Extension Office, 1525 14th Street NW, Washington, DC 20005, Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health, Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE / Washington, D.C. Extension Office, 2301 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020(202) 745-700007/31/19Active
Hand in Hand Immigration ServicesWenatchee119 S. Miller Street, Wenatchee, WA 98807, Northwest Immigrant Rights Project 02/23/96 06/14/25* Active, (Pending Renewal)(509) 888-483304/23/15Active
Central Washington Legal AidYakima315 Holton Ave., Suite 212, Yakima, WA 98902—04/23/25Active
La Casa HogarYakima106 S. 6th Street, Yakima, WA 98901, La Casa Hogar, 508 E Chestnut Avenue - Extension Office, 508 E Chestnut Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901, La Casa Hogar, 510 E Chestnut Avenue - Extension Office, 510 E Chestnut Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901, La Casa Hogar, St. Michael’s Mission Extension Office, St. Michael’s Mission, 5 South Naches Avenue, Yakima, WA 98901(509) 457-505805/01/13Active

How to verify and contact a BIA-recognized organization

  1. Confirm current status at the EOIR roster — recognition can be withdrawn, and the roster is updated quarterly.
  2. Call ahead to check service availability — many orgs have waitlists, especially for asylum and removal-defense cases.
  3. Ask about fees before signing a representation agreement. Free or sliding-fee is standard.
  4. Bring all USCIS notices + photo ID to your intake appointment.
  5. 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.

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 Washington

56 locations/organizations on record in Washington. Always verify directly before visiting.

  • African Communities Together
  • Amica Center for Immigrant Rights
  • AsylumWorks
  • Ayuda
  • Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington
  • Catholic Immigration Service, Inc.
  • Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) - Washington, DC Office
  • Human Rights First
  • Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
  • Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
  • Nigerian Center Inc.
  • Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition International (TASSC International)
  • Trabajadores Unidos de Washington D.C. (Workers United of Washington D.C.)
  • Whitman-Walker Clinic, Inc. d/b/a Whitman-Walker Health
  • Refugee & Immigrant Services NW
    Bellingham
  • Kitsap Immigrant Assistance Center
    Bellingham
  • Central Washington Legal Aid
    Bellingham
  • Refugee & Immigrant Services NW
    Bellingham
  • Korean Women's Association
    Bellingham
  • Multicultural Self-Sufficiency Movement
    Bellingham
  • Jewish Family Service Seattle
    Bellingham
  • Neighborhood House
    Bellingham
  • Refugee Federation Service Center
    Bellingham
  • Refugee Women's Alliance (ReWA)
    Bellingham
  • World Relief
    Bellingham

…and 31 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 for free or for nominal fees. 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 Washington 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 Washington?
Many BIA-recognized organizations offer truly free representation for low-income clients; others charge a sliding-fee scale (e.g., $50-$500) based on income. Federal law allows recognized non-profits to charge ’nominal fees’ but prohibits standard attorney-level billing. Always confirm fees BEFORE signing a representation agreement.

Major federal procedures

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Finances for immigrants

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.