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

  • New Mexico Immigrant Law Center (NMILC) — 625 Silver Ave SW, Suite 410, Albuquerque, NM 87102 · (505) 247-1023. Free legal services for low-income immigrants statewide: asylum, detention/removal defense, DACA renewals, citizenship and residency renewals, U/T visas, VAWA, and SIJS; represents clients before the immigration court and BIA. Offices in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Cruces.
  • Contigo Immigrant Justice — (505) 490-2789. Free immigration legal representation statewide (formerly Santa Fe Dreamers Project): naturalization, DACA, family-based petitions, green-card and work-permit renewals, humanitarian and LGBTQ+ asylum, youth/SIJS services, and detention-release assistance. Legal clinics in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
  • Catholic Charities of Albuquerque — Immigration Support — 2010 Bridge Blvd SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105 · (505) 539-0274. Low/no-cost legal help for affirmative USCIS cases only: adjustment of status and green-card renewals, naturalization, DACA, family petitions, consular processing, and removal of conditions. Does NOT handle asylum, TPS, U-visa/VAWA, or immigration-court (removal) cases. ~$55 consultation.
  • Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center — 1500 E. Yandell Dr., El Paso, TX 79902 · (915) 544-5126. El Paso-based center that directly serves immigrants detained at the Otero County Processing Center in southern New Mexico: asylum, detained removal defense, naturalization, U visas, VAWA, and DACA. Free/low-cost.

LawHelp New Mexico — New Mexico’s statewide legal-aid portal (New Mexico Legal Aid); statewide intake 1-833-545-4357. It routes low-income residents to legal help — for immigration, contact one of the nonprofits above directly.

New Mexico has no in-state immigration court; removal cases for New Mexico residents are heard at the El Paso, TX immigration court. 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 New Mexico 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.