Immigration cases can be financially taxing and detrimental to the welfare of the individuals and the families involved. It is estimated that fees range between $370 and $12,000 depending on the nature of your case, often not including the costs of USCIS applications.
While it is not required for an individual to have legal representation, it is highly recommended. These are the organizations that provide pro-bono immigration services in the state of New York.
Need assistance outside of New York? Find pro-bono legal representation nationwide.
What Does Pro Bono Mean?
“Pro bono is short for the Latin phrase pro bono publico, which means “for the public good.” The term generally refers to services that are rendered by a professional for free or at a lower cost.
All of the following organizations are non-profit, unless otherwise noted in parentheses next to their name. Some organizations require appointments to see a pro-bono lawyer and may not take walk-ins. Please see information below their names for additional details and to contact them directly.
Organizations with [•] next to their name also work with New York Immigration Courts Juvenile Docket
Due to the high demand of individuals in need, some of the organizations may not be available to take your case at the moment.
Pro Bono Lawyers in Buffalo & Batavia, New York
American Bar Association Detention and LOP Information Line**
ABA offers services for detained respondents who are representing themselves in court and do not have a lawyer. To access the services from a detention center, dial 2150#
** Does not offer services for Credible Fear and/or Asylum Merits Interviews
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New York
The Legal Aid Society of Rochester is a non-profit organization offering services to non-detained individuals with the following cases: removal proceedings, Asylum, DACA, TPS, VAWA, U&T Visas, SIJS, Naturalization, and Green Card renewals.
Services are available in French, Nepali, and Spanish to residents in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Niagara, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne and Yates Counties.
Address: One West Main St, Suite 800 Rochester, NY 14614
Phone: (585) 232-4090 | Fax: (585) 232-2352 | Website
Not available for detained respondents or consular processing cases.
Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York
PLSNY offers services for all kinds of immigration cases for non-detained and detained individuals. The services provided are available in multiple languages. Minors and
Buffalo: 14 Lafayette Square, Suite 510 Buffalo, NY 14203 | Tel: (716) 844-8266 | Fax: (716) 854-1008
Albany: 41 State St. Suite M112 Albany, NY 12207 | Tel: (518) 694-8699 | Fax: (518) 694-4281
Erie County Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project
This non-profit offers services for low-income detainees at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility (BFDF), and non-detained individuals and women within their funding guidelines. There are two different contacts, depending on your situation:
Women and non-detained should call (716) 847-0662 ext. 301
Men detained at BFDF should call (716) 847-0752
Address: 438 Main Street, Suite 7 Buffalo, NY 14202
Frank H. Hiscock Legal Aid Society*
Represents no detained residents of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego, Clinton, Essex, Franklin,Hamilton Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Fulton, Montgomery, Otsego, Schoharie, Herkimer,and Oneida.
Detained cases limited to residents to Clinton County Jail in Plattsburgh, NY
351 South Warren Street, Floor 3 Syracuse, NY 13202 | Tel: (315) 422-8191
Free Legal Services for New York Immigration Courts
Human Rights First
Human Rights First connects lawyers with detained and non-detained individuals seeking asylum before immigration courts in New York and New Jersey.
75 Broad Street, 31st Floor NY, NY 10004 | (212) 845-5200 | (212) 845-5299
Detention hotline: (212) 629-6170 (2-5pm Mon-Fri)
Contacts: Hamon Madi, Jacqueline Rojas, Lamise Abdel Rahman
Central American Legal Assistance (CALA)
CALA is a non-profit organization that specializes in offering services in Spanish and English to non-detained asylum seekers from Central. Appointments are required.
240 Hooper St. Brooklyn, NY 11211 | Tel: (718) 486-6800 | Fax: (718) 486-5287
Catholic Charities Community Services [•]
Catholic Charities is a non profit organization offering services for all types of removal cases for non-detained individuals. They offer interpretation in all languages.
80 Maiden Lane, 13th Floor NY, NY 10038 | Tel: (212) 419-3700 | Fax: (212) 751-3197
Immigration court helpdesk: ICHCCNY@gmail.com | Tel: (315) 690-4831
The Door [•]
The Door is a non-profit organization that provides services to individuals between the ages of 12 and 24. They provide various services that range from mental health counseling, GED/HESC classes, and others.
121 Avenue of the Americas NY, NY 10013 | tel: (212) 941-9090 ext. 3280
The Legal Aid Society [•]
The Legal Aid Society offers representation for detained and non-detained cases relating to criminal convictions and all forms of relief. The organization collaborates with ICARE partners for children under 18 and in removal proceedings.
199 Water St. 3rd Floor NY, NY 10038 | (212) 577-3300 | Website
Immigration Helpline: (845) 613-1341 – Mon-Friday 9AM – 5PM
Legal Intake Line: (212) 613-1341 first Friday of the month between the hours of 9AM and 3PM only
HIAS (New York)
HIAS is a non-profit that focuses on the protection of refugees who have been forced to flee their countries. They provide services in Spanish and Russian to individuals who fear returning to their country of origin. Interpretation services are also available.
411 Fifth Avenue, Suite 1006 NY, NY 10016 | tel: (212) 613-
City Bar Justice Center
City Bar Justice Center is a non-profit that offers services limited to Asylum; and U, T or VAWA relief for survivors of violent crimes including: domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assaults, hate crimes or human trafficking. The services are available in Spanish and French. Appointments are required.
42 West 44th Street. New York, NY 10036 | Tel: (212) 382-6710
Sanctuary for Families
Sanctuary for Families is a non-profit organization that represents survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking, and other gender-based harm in all types of immigration cases. Their services are available in multiple languages and for individuals in the five boroughs of New York City.
30 Wall Street, 8th Floor NY, NY 10005 | tel: (212) 349-6009 x 293| Website
American Bar Association Detention and LOP Information Line
ABA offers services for detained respondents who are representing themselves in court and do not have a lawyer. To access the services from a detention center, dial 2150#
Mobilization for Justice, Inc
Mobilization for Justice provides legal assistance services in Spanish and English to non-detained residents in the five boroughs of New York City. Interpretation services are also available. Appointments must be made in advance.
For intake call (212) 417-3724 on Wednesdays between 10AM and 12PM
Connecticut Immigrant Center Inc. [•]
CIMMC focuses on asylum cases for non-detained individuals living in New York City who need removal defense related to, but not limited to WAVA and Cancelation removal; Unaccompanied minors.
Their NYC juvenile rocket represents non-detained cases of survivors of domestic abuse, violence, persecution, torture and other crimes. Their services are also available in Spanish.
36 Mill Plain Road, Suite 403 Danbury, CT 06811 | (203) 312-7689
Catholic Migration Services
Catholic Migration offers representation to non-detained individuals. Appointments must be made in advance.
Brooklyn: 191 Joralemon St. 4th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 | tel: (718) 236-3000
Queens: 47-01 Queens Blvd, Room 203 Sunnyside, NY 11104 | tel: 472-3500
Fax: (347) 472-3501 | Website
Neighborhood Defender Service in Harlem
This non-profit organization serves Northern Manhattan residents (above 96th St.) with prior arrests or convictions. They provide services to detained and non-detained individuals with removal cases and affirmative applications. Call for intake.
317 Lenox Avenue, 10th Floor NY, NY 10027 | tel: 212 876-5500 | Website
Safe Horizon Immigration Law Project
Safe Horizon provides representation to non-detained residents of New York City. They focus on representing survivors of crime, violence, abuse, trafficking and torture. Their staff is bilingual (ENG/SPA) with access to interpreters for all other languages.
50 Court St. 8th Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 | tel: (718) 93-8632 fax: (718) 943-8646 | website
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) [•]
KIND provides free legal services to unaccompanied children who live in the following counties: Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond (Staten Island), New York (Manhattan), Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester. Appointments are required. 252 West 37th Street, Suite 1500 NY, NY 10018 |tel: (646) 677-9900 | Email | Website
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