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

  • Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy — 5535 Albemarle Rd., Charlotte, NC 28212 · 704-376-1600 (Mecklenburg), 800-438-1254 (outside Mecklenburg), Spanish line 800-247-1931. Asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U and T visas, family-based petitions, cancellation of removal, and Immigration Court representation.
  • Carolina Migrant Network — Charlotte, NC. Free removal/deportation defense and detention representation — one of the few Carolinas organizations offering free representation in removal proceedings — plus asylum applications and BIA appeals. Contact through the website for current intake.
  • Catholic Charities, Diocese of Raleigh — Immigration Legal Services — offices in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville, and Wilmington · 984-900-3114. Citizenship, family petitions, TPS, U visas, VAWA, adjustment of status, work permits, and DACA renewals (refers out asylum).
  • Church World Service — Durham — 504 W. Chapel Hill St., Suite 106, Durham, NC 27701 · 919-680-3585. Citizenship/naturalization, green cards and adjustment, family reunification, and humanitarian parole (by appointment).
  • Legal Aid of North Carolina — IMMPAV — helpline 1-866-204-7612. Free immigration help for immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking (U / T / VAWA pathways only).

Legal Aid of North Carolina is the statewide civil legal-aid intake: 1-866-219-5262 (1-866-219-LANC), Mon–Fri, or apply online through JusticeHub. The directory LawHelpNC.org lists additional free and low-cost legal help across the state.

Several of these organizations provide pro bono representation before the Charlotte 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 North Carolina 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.