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

  • Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) — offices in Charlottesville, Falls Church, Richmond, and Petersburg. Removal and detention defense, relief for immigrant youth and unaccompanied children, free immigration consultations for Arlington County and Alexandria City residents, and Know-Your-Rights presentations. Contact through the website for current intake.
  • Just Neighbors — Annandale, VA · 703-979-1240 (intake Tue–Fri 9am–5pm). Humanitarian-based immigration help for immigrants, asylees, and refugees at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (serves VA, MD, and DC).
  • Tahirih Justice Center — Greater DC — 6400 Arlington Blvd., Suite 400, Falls Church, VA 22042 · 571-282-6161. Free legal services for immigrant women and girls fleeing gender-based violence: gender-based asylum, VAWA, T visas, U visas, and SIJS.
  • Hogar Immigrant Services (Catholic Charities, Diocese of Arlington) — Falls Church and Manassas, VA · legal office 703-534-9805. Low-cost immigration legal services, naturalization assistance and workshops, DACA, and an unaccompanied-children program across Northern Virginia.
  • Ayuda — 2701 Prosperity Ave., Suite 300, Fairfax, VA 22031 · 703-444-7009. Asylum, T and U visas, VAWA petitions, removal and detention defense, and unaccompanied-children cases before the Arlington Immigration Court and USCIS.

VirginiaLawHelp.org (Virginia Poverty Law Center) is the statewide finder: select your city or county to find local legal-aid organizations and how to apply for free or low-cost help. The companion directory VaLegalAid.org lists free and low-cost civil legal services by organization and issue.

Several of these organizations provide pro bono representation before the Arlington 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 Virginia 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.