These nonprofit organizations in Puerto Rico 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.

Puerto Rico has a smaller immigration legal-aid network than most U.S. states. National nonprofit directories list few or no Puerto Rico immigration providers, and the island’s large general civil legal-aid programs are mostly restricted from taking immigration cases. Much of the free immigration help that does exist is focused on survivors of violence and human trafficking (VAWA, U-visa, T-visa). The verified options below are free or low-cost; capacity is limited, so call first and expect to need an appointment.

  • Centro de la Mujer Dominicana (CMD) — 787-772-9251 / 787-281-6179 (info@cmujerdominicana.org). An island-wide nonprofit that has served Puerto Rico’s Dominican and immigrant community for more than 20 years. Its legal services are free and focus on immigrant women who are survivors of gender-based violence — including VAWA self-petitions, removal of conditions under VAWA, U-visas (crime victims), and T-visas (trafficking victims) — plus know-your-rights guidance for ICE encounters. Island-wide, Spanish-language, by appointment. These are humanitarian USCIS petitions, not immigration-court (removal) representation. CMD publishes phone and email contact rather than a walk-in street address.
  • Legal Aid Clinic — University of Puerto Rico School of Law (Clínica de Asistencia Legal, UPR) — UPR Río Piedras campus, San Juan, PR 00931 · 787-999-9570 (clinica.legal@upr.edu). The law school’s clinic provides free legal advice and representation by supervised law students before state and federal judicial and administrative forums, and lists immigration as one of its practice areas. For low-income residents, by appointment only (no walk-ins). It is the only verified Puerto Rico provider with a stated immigration-litigation capability; its caseload depends on clinic capacity and the academic calendar. UPR also runs a separate Centro Integral de Apoyo a Víctimas (787-999-9545) for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence.

Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico, Inc. — The island’s main statewide civil legal-aid program (centralized intake 1-800-981-5342 / 787-728-5070). As a federal Legal Services Corporation grantee, it does not handle most immigration cases, but it does serve survivors of gender-based violence and human trafficking (the VAWA / U-visa / T-visa exception) for income-eligible clients. For most other immigration matters, use it as an information and referral gateway rather than a direct provider.

Unlike most U.S. states, Puerto Rico has its own immigration court — the Guaynabo (San Juan) Immigration Court (San Patricio Office Center, #7 Tabonuco Street, Room 401, Guaynabo, PR 00968; 787-749-4386) — which hears removal (deportation) cases for people living in Puerto Rico. If you are in removal proceedings and need representation, the U.S. Department of Justice (EOIR) publishes a free List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers for that court, and you can review the Guaynabo Immigration Court page for location and contact details. None of the organizations on this page pay us — these are public-interest referrals, not sponsored links.

National resources (available to Puerto Rico 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: 2026-06-23.

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.