Immigration legal help

The Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) partners with and funds several nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration assistance.

Community partners

The Advocates for Human Rights

612-341-9845 or [email protected]
Areas of assistance: Adjustment of status, Asylum applications, Removal Proceedings
Types of assistance: Help completing forms, filings with USCIS, representation at asylum interviews (credible and reasonable fear interviews), Representation before the immigration court and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal Court appeals

Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota

1(800) 223-1368 or [email protected]
Priority case and detainee hotline and for questions about Deferred Action (DACA): 651-641-1011
Priority case types: U Visa, VAWA, cases related to domestic violence, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ), citizenship, TPS and refugee adjustments.
Areas of assistance: Adjustment of Status, Consular Processing, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), employment authorization, family-based petitions, NACARA, Naturalization/Citizenship, removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), U visas, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions.
Types of assistance: Help completing forms, filings with USCIS, representation at asylum interviews (credible and reasonable fear interviews) representation before the Immigration Court and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), federal court appeals.

Mid Minnesota Legal Aid

612-332-1441 or apply online
Specializes in providing professional legal help to Minnesotans who traditionally lack access to the American justice system and cannot afford the services of a private attorney.
Areas of assistance: Services include Citizenship, permanent residency, vulnerable youth and seniors, refugees and asylees, VAWA and other related issues
Types of assistance: Full representation

Volunteer Lawyers Network

600 Nicollet Ave South, Site 390A, Minneapolis, MN 55402
612-752-6655 or apply for services online
Areas of assistance: Certain adjustment of status applications, EAD renewals and Naturalization cases.
Types of assistance: Full representation

Other nonprofit organizations that provide immigration assistance

International Institute of Minnesota

Visit iimn.org/contact or call 651-647-0191, press 2 for immigration services
Areas of assistance: citizenship, permanent residency for refugees and asylees, employment authorization, DACA, refugee/asylee family petitions, diversity visa, replacement or renewal of immigration documents
The Institute also offers educational and career development programs and case management for refugees and asylees.

Pro bono walk-in legal clinics

Volunteer Lawyers Network clinics: Park Avenue, Waite House, St. Paul and other various locations.
Community Action legal clinics: North Minneapolis, Richfield, and other locations.

Immigration educational resources

Legal Practice Advisories on Raid Response and Immigration Court topics

Online Resources

immi - Free and simple information for immigrants: Work through a step by step guide identifying immigration options.
Immigration Advocates: Identify organizations that provide immigration legal assistance in the Twin Cities area (member access required for some sections but not for Legal Directory).
Minnesota Freedom Fund: Obtain assistance in paying a bond in immigration court proceedings.
Law Help MN: Learn about the law.
MN Legal Advice: Email a lawyer.

English and Adult Education Classes

Literacy Minnesota database: Find a free class.

Resources in Greater Minnesota

Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

1015 7th Ave N. Moorehead, MN 56560
218-233-8585 or 1-800-450-8585
Income guidelines apply
Providing Equal Justice as the Free Civil Legal Aid in Northwest Minnesota
Areas of Legal Assistance: Citizenship Applications and renewal of LPR; can only work with client who have legal immigration status (LSC regulations do not permit cases with undocumented immigrants)
Types of Legal Assistance: Full Representation

Office of Multicultural Services (Hennepin County)

1201 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55407
612-348-2193
Must live in Hennepin County. No Income Eligibility guidelines.
Areas of Legal Assistance: Certain adjustment of status, EAD renewals and Naturalization Cases. Must live in Hennepin County, no income eligibility guidelines.
Types of Legal Assistance: Full representation

Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services

450 N. Syndicate St. Suite 285, St. Paul, MN 55104
1-800-652-9733 or 651-255-0797
East Metro and Southern Minnesota–income guidelines apply
Areas of legal assistance: Adjustment of status, Consular Processing, Employment authorization, family based petitions, T visas, U visas, Naturalization/Citizenship, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions
Types of legal assistance: Help completing forms, filings with USCIS. No clients in immigration court removal proceedings.

Standpoint

1-800-313-2666 or 612-343-9842
Standpoint is a statewide nonprofit that answers legal questions, over the phone and for no cost, on issues of domestic and sexual violence. Immigration status often makes it difficult for a victim to leave an abusive situation and seek safety. Standpoint has an immigration attorney that can answer legal questions about domestic and sexual violence as they relate to immigrants and refugees. Standpoint also provides advice and technical assistance to service providers, as well as training around the legal issues related to domestic and sexual violence.

St Cloud Area Legal Services (MMLA)

320-253-0121 or 1-888-360-2889
Helping Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens gain access to their basic rights for safety, shelter, food, health care and education.

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We are in the process of adding additional community resources.

Last updated Oct 22, 2020

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