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

  • Immigration Services & Legal Advocacy (ISLA) — 3801 Canal Street, Suite 400, New Orleans, LA 70119 · (504) 265-0416. Pro bono direct representation in immigration court and before the BIA, focused on immigrants detained in Louisiana’s ICE detention centers: removal defense, asylum, and bond; legal orientation and Know-Your-Rights workshops.
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of Baton Rouge — Immigration Legal Services — 1900 South Acadian Thruway, Baton Rouge, LA 70808 · (225) 346-0660. Low-cost full-service immigration legal help: family-based petitions, adjustment of status, naturalization, VAWA, U visas, asylum, SIJS, TPS, DACA, work permits, and consular processing. ~$50 consultation.
  • Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI) — 1120 Government Street, Suite E, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 · (225) 279-9610. Free immigration legal aid (no consultation or service fee): VAWA, U/T visas, TPS, SIJS, adjustment of status, family petitions, naturalization, work permits, and green-card help. Serves Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. Note: legal aid is currently at capacity — a waiting list is available.
  • Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans — Immigration & Refugee Services — 1000 Howard Ave., Suite 200, New Orleans, LA 70113 · (504) 310-6860. Immigration legal representation by licensed attorneys and DOJ/BIA-accredited representatives: adjustment of status, asylum, consular processing, DACA, work permits, family petitions, and removal-hearing and BIA representation. Note: as of 2026 CCANO is not accepting new immigration cases — referral lists only.
  • Loyola New Orleans College of Law — Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic — 526 Pine Street, New Orleans, LA 70118 · (504) 861-5550. Free supervised law-student representation before the immigration courts, BIA, and federal courts in asylum, trafficking and domestic-violence (U/T visa), and SIJS cases. Note: not accepting new cases at this time — referrals available; clinic intake is seasonal.

Louisiana Civil Legal Navigator — Louisiana’s statewide civil legal-help portal (Lagniappe Law Lab / Louisiana Bar Foundation) — legal information plus a provider directory that includes immigration legal-services organizations.

Louisiana has in-state immigration courts — New Orleans (non-detained) and a Baton Rouge court that opened in 2025, plus detained-only courts at Oakdale and Jena/LaSalle. 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 Louisiana 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.