Legal Services
Access free and low-cost immigration legal services across Illinois.
Illinois has a robust network of legal service providers ready to assist immigrants with a range of legal needs, from legal representation if you or a loved one is facing deportation to immigration relief workshops and legal consultations to ensure you and your family has what they need to stay protected. Many services are available at no cost through the Illinois Access to Justice program.
Need immediate Help?
If you or someone you know is detained by ICE,
call the ICIRR Family Support Hotline available 24/7
1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY
(1-855-435-7693)
*available in English, Spanish, Korean & Polish
Legal Assistance workshops & Clinics
Legal assistance workshops or clinics are legal service events where many people can access legal consultations and support applying for immigration relief at the same time. During a workshop, you will be able to talk directly to a legal expert about your specific needs, hear legal advice, and learn what options you and your family may have. In some cases, you may be asked to return another day to complete an application or may be referred to another organization to access direct legal services.
During a legal workshop or clinic, you will have access to a legal expert, but you will not be given an attorney to represent you in your case long term.
See sections below to find legal help based on your needs:
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Immigration Application Workshop
Immigrant-serving organizations across the state provide free immigration assistance workshops to eligible immigrants living in Illinois.
Services: Legal Consultations, Work permits, Temporary Protected Status, Asylum, Change of Venue and Change of Address, Referrals to other Legal Services
Location: Statewide
Cost for Illinois Residents: Free
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Recent Arrivals Workshop
The National Immigrant Justice Center’s free legal workshop for immigrants living in the Chicago area who arrived in the United States on or after September 15, 2022 and are considering applying for asylum.
Services: Asylum
Location: Chicago
Cost for Illinois Residents: Free
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New Americans Initiative
Partner organizations offer office legal consultation to citizenship and/or DACA applicants on specific dates and times.
Services: Citizenship, DACA Renewal
Location: Statewide
Cost for Illinois Residents: Scholarships may be available for applicants with financial need
Legal SCreenings & Case REpresentation
The below organizations and programs provide free or low-cost legal screenings, case representation, and other support.
Illinois Access to Justice provides legal services and community navigation to communities across Illinois impacted by immigration and incarceration.
Online directory of providers, where you can enter your zip code to see which providers are closest to you:
PDF list of all immigration legal providers sorted by the types of services they provide:
The Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA) provides high-quality immigration legal services for free to detained immigrants.
If you or someone you know is detained by ICE and needs immediate assistance, please contact 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) to get connected to legal services, like MIDA.
To learn more about what to do if you or a loved one is detained, visit our Know Your Rights page.
Learn more about The Midwest Immigrant Defenders Alliance (MIDA):
Other Non-Profits Providing Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance
Legal services that the National Immigrant Justice Center provides and how to schedule an appointment:
PDF of nonprofits providing immigration services for Illinois residents and many of the types of cases they handle:
Find a private attorney
See the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights’ attorney referral list below for a list of private attorneys, their address, the languages they speak, and their specialties:
Avoid Immigration Fraud & Scams
In general:
If it sounds too good to be true…get a second opinion!
Check the person’s credentials.
Get everything in writing and copies of any documents prepared
Notaries cannot give legal advice, they can only verify someone’s identity
Immigration will only reach out via regular mail or automated messages.
Seek legal help from trusted sources! Use the guide below to prepare and protect yourself against fraud:
Learn key information about how to avoid fraud, digital scams, and where to report any violations:
TRP DETained Loved one Form
If your loved one has been detained by ICE, and they live in Illinois, fill out the form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
*available in English & Spanish