Free immigration legal help in Wisconsin — BIA-recognized 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).
BIA-recognized immigration help in Wisconsin
23 locations/organizations on record in Wisconsin. Always verify directly before visiting.
- World Relief
Appleton - World Relief
Appleton - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
Appleton - Racine Interfaith Coalition
Appleton - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse
Appleton - Centro Hispano, Inc.
Appleton - End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Appleton - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
Appleton - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
Appleton - Community Center for Immigrants
Appleton - Elmbrook Church/James Place Immigration Services
Appleton - Hanan Refugee Relief Group
Appleton - International Institute of Wisconsin, Inc.
Appleton - Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
Appleton - Neighborhood House of Milwaukee/International Learning Program (ILP)
Appleton - Sojourner Family Peace Center
Appleton - UMOS, Latina Resource Center
Appleton - Racine Interfaith Coalition
Appleton - Rapids Hunger Foundation Inc.
Appleton - Immigrant Hope - Forest Lakes
Appleton - Elmbrook Church/James Place Immigration Services
Appleton - Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse
Appleton - ECDC Multicultural Community Center - Wausau
Appleton
Frequently asked questions
What is BIA recognition?
How is a BIA-recognized organization different from an immigration attorney?
How do I know if a Wisconsin organization is currently BIA-recognized?
Is BIA-recognized legal help really free in Wisconsin?
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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.