These nonprofit organizations in Illinois 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 Illinois residents. Capacity is limited — call first; most require an appointment.

  • National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) — 111 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604 · legal intake 312-660-1370. A program of Heartland Alliance representing people in asylum, ICE detention and removal defense, DACA renewals, citizenship and green cards, trafficking (T visa) survivors, LGBTQ immigrants, and unaccompanied children. NIJC also runs the free Immigration Court Help Desk at the Chicago Immigration Court.
  • The Resurrection Project — Immigrant Justice — 1805 S. Ashland Ave., Chicago, IL 60608 · 312-666-3062. Most services are free for Illinois residents: family petitions and adjustment of status, U visa / VAWA / T visa, DACA, citizenship, travel permits, and removal defense.
  • World Relief Chicagoland — 3507 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago, IL 60625 (also Aurora and Carol Stream) · Chicago 773-583-9191. Low-cost immigration legal services: asylum, family reunification, citizenship preparation, and status help for refugees and asylum seekers.
  • Erie Neighborhood House — Chicago (West Town and Little Village) · 773-231-7884. Citizenship, family petitions, adjustment of status, consular processing, DACA, waivers, asylum, removal-proceedings representation, and U visa / VAWA.
  • ICIRR Family Support Network hotline — 1-855-435-7693 (1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY), 12 languages. ICIRR is a statewide coalition, not a law office — this hotline connects you to immigration legal services, deportation-defense help, and benefits referrals across Illinois.

Illinois Legal Aid Online — Get Legal Help is the statewide directory: answer a few questions about your problem, location, and income and it routes you to the nearest legal-aid service. The state-backed hub IllinoisImmigrationInfo.org also points to vetted immigration legal help.

Several of these organizations provide pro bono representation before the Chicago Immigration Court; the U.S. Department of Justice (EOIR) List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers is updated quarterly. None of the organizations on this page pay us — these are public-interest referrals, not sponsored links.

National resources (available to Illinois 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: 2026-06-17.

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.