Free immigration legal help in Wisconsin
These nonprofit organizations in Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin immigration legal-aid organizations
These nonprofits provide free or low-cost immigration legal services to Wisconsin residents. Capacity is limited — call first; most require an appointment.
- Catholic Multicultural Center — Immigration Legal Services — 1862 Beld Street, Madison, WI 53713 · 608-441-0114. Family, asylee/refugee, and adjustment petitions, naturalization, work authorization, travel documents, and survivor cases (U visa, VAWA, T visa). Affordable for low/no-income immigrants; Mon–Fri 9am–5pm.
- Community Immigration Law Center (CILC) — 944 East Gorham Street, Madison, WI 53703 · 608-640-4444. Free immigration legal clinic (consultations) plus free/low-cost representation for detained non-citizens in removal proceedings (eligibility applies); priority to low-income immigrants.
- Jewish Social Services of Madison — 6300 Enterprise Lane, Suite 309, Madison, WI 53719 · 608-442-4081. Low-cost help with adjustment of status, asylum, consular processing, DACA, work authorization, family petitions, NACARA, naturalization, TPS, T/U visas, VAWA, and representation before the BIA; fee waivers for low-income clients. Serves Dane County.
- Voces de la Frontera — Legal Services — 1027 South 5th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204 · 414-643-1620. Reduced-cost Saturday legal clinic: naturalization (N-400) via a BIA-accredited representative, DACA renewal, green-card renewal (I-90), document translation, and USCIS appointment accompaniment. Chapters statewide.
- Centro Hispano of Dane County — 2403 Cypress Way, Madison, WI 53713 · 608-255-3018. Low-cost immigration help: completing USCIS forms and filings, adjustment of status, DACA, and naturalization/citizenship. Serves Dane County (English/Spanish).
WisconsinLawHelp.org — Wisconsin’s statewide legal-aid finder — a searchable directory of free/low-cost legal help, including immigration clinics.
Wisconsin has no in-state immigration court; removal cases for Wisconsin residents are heard at the Chicago, IL immigration court. Jewish Social Services of Madison is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). 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 Wisconsin residents)
Directories and hotlines
- Immigration Advocates Network — Find Help — national searchable directory by state and case type
- CLINIC (Catholic Legal Immigration Network): cliniclegal.org
- NILC (National Immigration Law Center): nilc.org
- ILRC (Immigrant Legal Resource Center): ilrc.org
- AILA Pro Bono Directory: ask your local AILA chapter for pro bono cases
- United We Dream: unitedwedream.org — DACA specific
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:
- Attorney: State Bar of practicing state + AILA directory
- BIA-Accredited Representative: BIA Recognition Roster
How to prepare for consultation
- Bring ALL documents: passport, green card if any, USCIS letters, criminal records, tax returns, evidence of family relationship, immigration status history
- Be HONEST: even about criminal records or past issues. Attorney needs FULL truth to defend you well.
- Ask about timelines and possible outcomes
- Confirm cost (if applicable) in writing before committing
- Bring translator if your English is limited
Related information
- Find immigration attorney
- Immigration courts in Wisconsin
- USCIS offices in Wisconsin
- Path to Citizenship
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.
Related procedural information
- Immigration court by state (EOIR) — judges, Webex links, telephonic access codes
- Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists, AILA, BIA-recognized providers
- Find a notary public (NOT a “notario”) — avoid notario fraud
- Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections during arrests
- Consulate of your country in the US — many consulates maintain pro-bono attorney referral lists
