Finding Immigration Help

Where can I get immigration advice?

You should only get immigration advice from (1) a licensed lawyer or (2) an accredited representative of a not-for-profit agency recognized by the Department of Justice. 

What is a licensed lawyer?

A licensed lawyer is a person who has a state license to practice law.  To find out if a lawyer has a license and is allowed to represent you before U.S. Immigration officials:
 

• Ask the lawyer, “In what state are you licensed to practice law?”  You can also ask to see the license and write down the license number.
• Then, contact the “state bar association” or the state court system to find out how to check if the license is valid and if the lawyer is in “good standing.”  For a list of state bar associations, visit the ABA's website. 
• Do not use a lawyer on the list from the US Department of Justice.  Lawyers on this list are not allowed to practice before U.S. Immigration officials.   

What is an accredited representative?

An accredited representative is a person who works for a not-for-profit agency recognized by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the U.S. government. For a list of accredited representatives in your area, visit the US Department of Justice's site. 

Where can I find help?

Many not-for-profit agencies across the U.S. provide free or low-cost immigration help.  To find free or low-cost immigration help in your area, go to:

• LawHelp.org's Immigration Legal Help portal 
• Immigration Law Help, the largest directory of nonprofit immigration legal services providers in the US 
• Catholic Charities

If you do not qualify for free or low-cost immigration help, contact the American Immigration Lawyers Association for a referral to a licensed immigration lawyer.

Warning: Notario públicos (or immigration consultants) cannot give immigration advice.

In the U.S., notario públicos (or immigration consultants) are not lawyers.  They do not have formal training in immigration law.  And, they do not have government permission to fill out your forms or represent you.  They may certify your identity and your signature, but they are not qualified to give immigration advice or help with an immigration application. 

Are there other immigration services I should avoid?

• Avoid immigration consultants and visa consultants. 
• Avoid travel agencies and real estate offices that offer immigration advice. 
• Do not believe anyone who tells you that there is a secret new immigration law or an amnesty. 
• Do not believe anyone who says he or she has a special connection with any U.S. government agency. 

Notario públicos and immigration consultants harm immigrants.

Since notario públicos and immigration consultants do not have formal training in immigration law, they often file the wrong immigration applications and miss important filing deadlines.  These mistakes can prevent you from getting legal immigration status in the future. Some notario públicos and immigration consultants just take your money and never file your immigration application. 

I have been harmed by a notario público or immigration consultant. What can I do? 

Notario públicos and immigration consultants remain in business because immigrants are afraid to complain about them.  If you have been harmed by a notario public or immigration consultant, go to www.stopnotariofraud.org or call (202) 442-3363 for a list of agencies that can help you. 

Looking for more information on this topic? Visit LawHelp.org and select your state to find other self-help resources and information about free and low-cost legal aid providers in your area.

This guide was created by Pro Bono Net in partnership with the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. To read all of the guides in this series, visit LawHelp.org.

This guide was prepared for general information purposes only. The information it contains is not legal advice. Legal advice is dependent upon the specific circumstances of each situation. Also, the law may vary from state to state. Some information in this guide may not be correct for your state. To find local resources, visit LawHelp.org and select your state.