These nonprofit organizations in Hawaii offer FREE or low-cost immigration legal help. If you need help with DACA, asylum, citizenship, deportation, or any immigration case, contact these options BEFORE paying private fees.

These nonprofits provide free or low-cost immigration legal services to Hawaii residents. Capacity is limited — call first; most require an appointment.

  • The Legal Clinic (TLC) — 1020 S. Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96814 · (808) 777-7071. A nonprofit dedicated entirely to immigration law and the Hawaii affiliate of the Immigration Law & Justice Network. It provides free immigration legal services to Hawaii residents whose total annual household income is no more than 200% of the federal poverty level. Services include advice and counsel, naturalization, family-based petitions, green cards, work permits, DACA, humanitarian relief (asylum, TPS, SIJ), assistance for COFA/Compact of Free Association citizens, and representation of clients in removal proceedings before the immigration court (EOIR). Intake begins with a consultation; the clinic accepts cases that fit its priority areas.
  • Hawai’i Immigrant Justice Center (Legal Aid Society of Hawaii) — 924 Bethel Street, Honolulu, HI 96813 · 808-536-4302. The immigration program of the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii, providing free legal services to eligible indigent immigrants statewide. It focuses on humanitarian relief - VAWA self-petitions, battered-spouse waivers, and T and U visas for victims of trafficking, domestic violence, and crime - as well as removal defense for immigrant crime victims, family-based help, and naturalization for lawful permanent residents. It also serves Citizens of the Freely Associated States. Intake by phone (808-536-4302 on O’ahu; 1-800-499-4302 on Neighbor Islands) or via the online portal.
  • Catholic Charities Hawai’i — Clarence T.C. Ching Campus, 1822 Ke’eaumoku Street, Honolulu, HI 96822 · (808) 524-4673. Offers immigration and citizenship services through staff that includes licensed attorneys and DOJ-accredited representatives. Services cover naturalization, family-based petitions, green cards, removal of conditions, work authorization, advance parole, TPS, and DACA renewals, plus an Unaccompanied Children Program providing free removal defense, immigration- and family-court representation, SIJS, and asylum. Its Immigrant Resource Center on O’ahu serves residents of the City and County of Honolulu with valid immigration status at or below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines; services are also available on Hawai’i Island ((808) 961-7030).

Legal Navigator Hawaii (Legal Aid Society of Hawaii) — Hawaii’s official statewide legal-help portal, created by the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii in cooperation with the Hawaii State Judiciary, the Legal Services Corporation, and the Office on Violence Against Women. It offers guided assistants and a directory of civil legal-aid resources, but does not itself provide immigration representation - it routes users to legal-aid agencies and community partners. The Legal Aid Society immigration intake hotline is 808-536-4302 (O’ahu) / 1-800-499-4302 (Neighbor Islands).

Hawaii has an in-state EOIR immigration court: the Honolulu Immigration Court, located in the Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole (PJKK) Federal Building, 300 Ala Moana Blvd., Rm. 8-112, Honolulu, HI 96850 (phone 808-541-1870). It hears the removal cases of Hawaii residents. Catholic Charities Hawai’i is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice, and its staff hold partial DOJ accreditation authorizing them to represent clients before USCIS. The U.S. Department of Justice (EOIR) publishes a List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for that court. None of the organizations on this page pay us — these are public-interest referrals, not sponsored links.

National resources (available to Hawaii residents)

Directories and hotlines

Specific-case hotlines

  • Asylum: RAICES (1-866-RAICES-4), CLINIC asylum line
  • Detention: NIPNLG (1-800-867-2924)
  • VAWA / domestic violence: 1-800-799-SAFE (national line)
  • Human trafficking victims: National Human Trafficking Hotline 1-888-373-7888

⚠️ Important: Avoid fraudulent “notarios”

AVOID PEOPLE CALLING THEMSELVES “NOTARIO PÚBLICO” FOR IMMIGRATION if not attorneys or BIA-accredited reps. US notary publics are NOT attorneys (unlike Latin America). People without legal credentials practicing immigration are violating federal law.

Verify credentials:

How to prepare for consultation

  1. Bring ALL documents: passport, green card if any, USCIS letters, criminal records, tax returns, evidence of family relationship, immigration status history
  2. Be HONEST: even about criminal records or past issues. Attorney needs FULL truth to defend you well.
  3. Ask about timelines and possible outcomes
  4. Confirm cost (if applicable) in writing before committing
  5. Bring translator if your English is limited

Last verified: 2026-06-20.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.