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

  • International Rescue Committee (IRC) — Missoula — 405 University Ave, Missoula, MT 59801 · 406-833-0985. The IRC’s Missoula office describes itself as the only immigration nonprofit providing legal services within Montana. Its DOJ-accredited representatives offer low-cost and no-cost help to refugees, asylees and other immigrants with lawful permanent residency (green-card / adjustment-of-status) applications, family reunification, and citizenship/naturalization, plus Know Your Rights trainings and community education. By appointment, Monday-Friday (8am-5pm); start with the online immigration legal-services referral form or call/text 406-833-0985 (email missoula@rescue.org).
  • Manzanita Immigrant Legal Aid (MILA) — Manzanita House, Spokane, WA — 222 W. Mission Avenue, Suite 210, Spokane, WA 99201 · 509-309-8404. Manzanita Immigrant Legal Aid is a DOJ-recognized organization in Spokane, Washington whose service area reaches Montana (along with western Washington and Idaho). Its DOJ-accredited representatives provide advocacy and representation before USCIS, the immigration courts and the Department of State — including naturalization/citizenship, family-based petitions, removal/deportation and detention defense, survivor-based relief (VAWA, U visa, T visa), and immigrant-youth cases. Sliding-scale fees, with some services free (including naturalization and some removal defense). Naturalization and immigration-court intakes are always open; call/text 509-309-8404 or email mila@mhspokane.org (English, Spanish, Russian).

MontanaLawHelp.org (Montana Legal Services Association) — MontanaLawHelp.org is the statewide free civil legal-aid portal run by Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA HelpLine 1-800-666-6899). MLSA itself does NOT take immigration cases — it handles civil matters like housing, public benefits and family/domestic-violence issues — but its immigration section organizes resources (citizenship, permanent residence, asylum, immigrant rights, attorney referrals) to help you find immigration-specific help.

Montana has no immigration court of its own. Removal (deportation) cases for Montana residents are under the administrative control of the Portland Immigration Court in Portland, Oregon. (Effective September 1, 2023, EOIR stopped holding hearings in Boise, Idaho and transferred all Idaho and Montana cases from the Salt Lake City Immigration Court to Portland.) Hearings are typically held by video or in Portland — always check your Notice to Appear for your assigned court, confirm your hearing on the EOIR portal at portal.ice.gov/eoir, and call the EOIR case-information line at 1-800-898-7180. Both listed organizations are DOJ-recognized with DOJ-accredited representatives. The International Rescue Committee’s Missoula office has DOJ-accredited representatives (it describes itself as the only immigration nonprofit providing legal services in Montana), and Manzanita Immigrant Legal Aid (Manzanita House, Spokane) is a DOJ-recognized organization with DOJ-accredited representatives authorized to represent clients before USCIS and the immigration courts. 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 Montana 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.