PRACTICAL, TRUSTWORTHY STARTING POINTS
A short directory of official and established resources for finding qualified immigration legal help, learning general rights information and preparing your family.
Reviewed November 3, 2026. These resources are independent third-party services; inclusion is not an endorsement or a guarantee of availability.
IMPORTANT
Use educational guides to prepare, then speak with a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative about your situation.
FIND QUALIFIED HELP
Start with directories that explain who is authorized to provide immigration legal services.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The DOJ Executive Office for Immigration Review publishes a list of nonprofit organizations, referral services and attorneys that may provide free legal help in immigration court proceedings. Contact providers directly to confirm eligibility, location, language and current availability.
Find legal representation →DOJ RECOGNITION & ACCREDITATION
DOJ-accredited representatives work through recognized nonprofit organizations. Check the current roster and confirm whether the representative has partial or full accreditation; the scope of representation differs.
View DOJ roster reports →NATIONAL NONPROFIT DIRECTORY
The National Immigration Legal Services Directory lists nonprofit organizations offering free or low-cost immigration legal services. Check directly whether a listed organization accepts new clients and handles your type of matter.
Search the national directory →In immigration court, notarios, document preparers, visa consultants and travel agents are not authorized to act as your legal representative. Ask whether the person is a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative, and verify their current status before paying or sharing documents.
Read DOJ guidance on who may represent you →KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
These materials provide general education, not advice for an individual case.
ILRC · MULTILINGUAL
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center provides printable cards in multiple languages with examples of ways people may assert constitutional rights. Read the accompanying guidance and consult a legal provider about your circumstances.
Get Red Cards and instructions →ILRC · KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
A detailed educational guide covering common questions about interactions with immigration officials, warrants and related rights. The guide notes that state laws and individual circumstances matter.
Read the current FAQ →FAMILY PREPAREDNESS
A practical planning guide for families, caregivers and trusted contacts. Review it together and adapt it with advice from a qualified legal service provider.
Read the family plan →BEFORE YOU CONTACT A PROVIDER
Never hand over original documents without understanding why they are needed. Keep copies of everything you sign or submit.
Editorial note: links were selected because they are maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice, the Immigration Advocates Network or the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. We do not control these websites, verify individual provider availability, or receive referral fees. Re-check information before relying on it.
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