BIA-recognized immigration help in Wisconsin — free DOJ-accredited organizations
This page lists every non-profit in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin
23 organizations listed in the EOIR Recognition & Accreditation Roster for Wisconsin. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay | Appleton | 1418 Grand Avenue, Manitowoc, WI 54220, Menasha | (920) 272-8234 | 08/22/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay | Appleton | 1475 Opportunity Way, Menasha, WI 54952, Milwaukee | (920) 734-2601 | 08/22/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse | Appleton | 540 South 3rd Avenue, Wausau, WI 54401 | (715) 849-3311 | 03/27/02 | Active |
| Elmbrook Church/James Place Immigration Services | Appleton | 129 West Broadway, Waukesha, WI 53186, Wausau | (262) 544-9472 | 05/03/24 | Active |
| Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc. | Appleton | — | 11/19/24 | Active | |
| Racine Interfaith Coalition | Appleton | 6218 26th Ave, Kenosha, WI 53143, La Crosse | (262) 652-5545 | 03/24/25 | Active |
| World Relief | Appleton | — | 09/25/24 | Active | |
| World Relief | Appleton | 5256 Verona Road, Fitchburg, WI 53711, Green Bay | (608) 661-3512 | 09/25/24 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay | Green Bay | 1825 Riverside Drive, Green Bay, WI 54301, Kenosha | (920) 272-8234 | 08/22/25 | Active |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse | La Crosse | 508 S. 5th Street, La Crosse, WI 54601, Madison, Catholic Multicultural Center 06/16/17 09/24/25* Active, (Pending Renewal) | (608) 519-8024 | 03/27/02 | Active |
| Centro Hispano, Inc. | Madison | 2403 Cypress Way, Madison, WI 53713 | (608) 255-3018 | 06/16/15 | Active |
| End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence | Madison | 1400 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 262, Madison, WI 53703, Manitowoc | (608) 256-1015 | 02/13/25 | Active |
| Community Center for Immigrants | Milwaukee | 1433 N. Water Street, Suite 400, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 708-2303 | 10/09/24 | Active |
| Elmbrook Church/James Place Immigration Services | Milwaukee | 807 S. 14th Street, Suite 200, Milwaukee, WI 53204, Elmbrook Church/James Place Immigration Services, South Howell Avenue-Milwaukee Extension Office, 4204 S Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207 | (414) 269-9952 | 05/03/24 | Active |
| Hanan Refugee Relief Group | Milwaukee | 3927 South Howell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53207 | (414) 800-4168 | 10/31/24 | Active |
| International Institute of Wisconsin, Inc. | Milwaukee | 1110 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Dr., Suite 420, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | (414) 225-6220 | 07/01/58 | Active |
| Neighborhood House of Milwaukee/International Learning Program (ILP) | Milwaukee | 639 N. 25th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 344-4777 | 09/15/08 | Active |
| Sojourner Family Peace Center | Milwaukee | 619 W Walnut Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212 | — | 03/04/25 | Active |
| UMOS, Latina Resource Center | Milwaukee | 2701 S. Chase Avenue, Suite D, Milwaukee, WI 53207, Racine | (414) 389-6600 | 11/28/14 | Active |
| Racine Interfaith Coalition | Racine | 2302A DeKoven Avenue, Racine, WI 53403 | (262) 635-9532 | 03/24/25 | Active |
| Rapids Hunger Foundation Inc. | Racine | 2915 Romayne Avenue, Racine, WI 53404, Stevens Point | (414) 795-2411 | 02/10/25 | Active |
| Immigrant Hope - Forest Lakes | Stevens Point | 2309 Eagle Summit, Stevens Point, WI 54467, Waukesha | (612) 251-1324 | 09/16/25 | Active |
| ECDC Multicultural Community Center - Wausau | Wausau | 300 N. 3rd Street Suite 212, Wausau, WI 54403 | (715) 907-7082 | 06/13/25 | 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 Wisconsin — the EOIR court that hears removal cases for residents of Wisconsin
- Legal aid in Wisconsin — 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).