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

  • Global Friends Coalition — 1815 Demers Ave, Grand Forks, ND 58201 · 701-746-8233. A Grand Forks nonprofit recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (EOIR), with two partially DOJ-accredited representatives who help with naturalization/citizenship, green cards (adjustment of status), work permits, family-based petitions, humanitarian parole, and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) — including completing and filing USCIS forms. Services are offered at low or no cost (a nominal fee may apply), and you can reach them by drop-in, phone, email, or their website. Because the accredited representatives are partially accredited, they assist with USCIS filings, not immigration-court representation.
  • Global Refuge — North Dakota Field Office (Fargo) — 3310 Fiechtner Dr, Suite 100, Fargo, ND 58103. Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) runs a North Dakota field office in Fargo offering immigration legal services — screenings and consultations, work permits, asylum, family-based sponsorship, adjustment of status (green card), and naturalization. Help is provided at low or no cost, with free assistance for eligible Afghan and Ukrainian nationals. Schedule a consultation through the ‘Schedule a Consult’ button on their legal-services page or email nailsteam@globalrefuge.org.
  • The Advocates for Human Rights — 330 Second Avenue South, Suite 800, Minneapolis, MN 55401 · 612-341-9845. A DOJ/BIA-recognized nonprofit (based in Minneapolis) that provides free immigration legal help to people who live in or are detained in North Dakota with household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Focus areas are asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, people in immigration detention, and human-trafficking survivors. There are no legal fees. New clients must call the Immigrant Client Line (612-341-9845) or complete online intake during intake hours (Tuesdays 10am-12pm, Thursdays 12pm-2pm Central) — no walk-in intake.
  • Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota (ILCM) — 450 North Syndicate St, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55104 · 1-800-223-1368. A nonprofit that provides free immigration legal representation to low-income immigrants and refugees living in North Dakota (and Minnesota) with household income at or below 187.5% of the federal poverty line. ILCM handles immigration matters only and represents clients through licensed attorneys; it cannot help with housing, family law, public benefits, employment, or student/business visas. Call the client intake line at 1-800-223-1368 during intake hours (Mon 10am-1pm, Tue 1pm-4pm, Wed 10am-1pm, Thu 3pm-6pm); no walk-in appointments. Due to high demand, not every eligible case can be accepted.

North Dakota Office of Legal Immigration — Legal Services Resources — The North Dakota Department of Commerce’s Office of Legal Immigration maintains a statewide list of immigration legal-services providers (nonprofits and private attorneys) serving the state. It is a referral/resource list, not itself a legal-services provider — it points you to the organizations and lawyers who actually handle cases.

North Dakota has no immigration (EOIR) court of its own. Removal cases for North Dakota residents are heard by the Fort Snelling Immigration Court in Fort Snelling (Bloomington), Minnesota — Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, 1 Federal Drive, Suite 1850, Fort Snelling, MN 55111 — which covers Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Many hearings are now held by video. Global Friends Coalition is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice (EOIR) and works through two partially DOJ-accredited representatives, who can assist with USCIS filings but not immigration-court representation. The Advocates for Human Rights is a DOJ/BIA-recognized national immigration legal nonprofit. Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service) is a long-established national immigration legal nonprofit, and the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota provides representation through licensed attorneys. 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 North Dakota 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.