Houston-area groups offer free and low-cost immigration aid

Harris County is home to more than 1.3 million foreign-born residents, according to Census data, yet thousands of them have been left in legal limbo in recent years due to changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and pathways to legal stay for spouses of U.S. citizens. 

President Donald Trump has moved to end programs protecting many immigrants in the U.S. Organizations offering legal aid have urged these residents to prioritize any pending legal proceedings. 

There are many options for free or low-cost legal services. Here are some that are focusing on helping immigrant families in Houston today:

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston offers low-cost and pro-bono legal services through the St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigrant Legal Assistance for immigrants and refugees. 

Types of services: Legal aid for asylum cases, DACA, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and citizenship applications, family petitions, refugee and asylee adjustment of status, visas for victims of crimes, deportation defense and know your rights education. 

Requirements: Eligibility will vary by case. The organization hosts “Charlas” three times per month for on-site case assessments. 

Cost: Consultations are free of charge with pre-registration required via their website.  

How to contact: For more information, call 713-595-4100. For citizenship questions, email [email protected]. For Charla questions email [email protected].

Church World Service-Houston

CWS Houston is a charitable organization that offers supportive services and low-cost legal aid to immigrants, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children and other new arrival, mixed migration populations.

Types of services: Mental health services, legal aid with asylum cases, TPS, case management for refugees and know your rights education.  

Requirements: Qualification is based on grant requirements. 

Cost: Cost may vary based on service and income level. 

How to contact: For questions and inquiries call 346-200-9951 or email CWS at [email protected]

Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project

Galveston-Houston Immigrant Representation Project (GHIRP) is a nonprofit that provides legal services to low-income immigrants in the Galveston-Houston area. 

Types of services: Asylum, DACA, TPS, Citizenship and Lawful Permanent Residency application support, removal defense, special immigrant juvenile status, work authorization documents, visas for survivors of crime, domestic violence and human trafficking.

Requirements: None.

Cost: Free consultations and assistance with certain applications are offered. 

How to contact: For Galveston and Houston inquiries call 713-561-3059 or 1-866- 301-3901. You can also email them at [email protected].

Upcoming events: Workshops for TPS and Employment Authorization Document, or EAD, applications are being offered. For more information call 713-561-3059 or email [email protected]. 

Know Your Rights sessions are offered every second Tuesday of the month in Galveston at St. Vincent’s House, located at 2817 Post Office St., starting at 9 p.m.

Walk-in days for free consultations focused on survivors of crime and human trafficking are every third Tuesday of the month in Houston at 6001 Savoy Drive, Ste. 400, starting at 8:30 a.m.

General immigration consultations free of charge are offered every fourth Tuesday of the month at 6001 Savoy Drive, Ste. 400, starting at 8:30 a.m.

Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative

The Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative consists of a network of local organizations working together to increase access to holistic legal services in the Houston area.

Types of services: Through the Houston Immigrant Resource Hotline the collaborative offers information about immigration policies, referrals to free and low-cost legal service providers, referrals to social services, immigrants rights organizations and other resources. 

How to contact: To access the hotline, call 1-833-468-4664 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Requirements: There are no specific requirements to access the hotline.

Cost: Cost may vary based on income level. 

Justice for All Immigrants

Justice for All Immigrants is a nonprofit organization that offers affordable immigration legal services, education and advocacy to individuals in Houston, San Antonio and Corpus Christi. 

Types of services: Their services include assistance with asylum cases, citizenship applications, DACA, TPS, know your rights, deportation defense for detained individuals, and humanitarian visas such as those having to do with Violence Against Women Act and other victims of crimes. 

Requirements: The organization focuses their efforts on low-income individuals living below the poverty line.

Cost: May vary based on income level and qualification for grants. 

How to contact: For more information or to schedule an appointment call 713-454-6470.

Memorial Assistance Ministries

Memorial Assistance Ministries offers free and low-cost immigration services for Houston-area residents. It offers education, information and legal assistance for low-income individuals. 

Types of services: Services include support with DACA and citizenship applications, citizenship interview preparation classes, and family petition and limited U-visa cases. 

Requirements: Individuals’ income must be under 400 percent of the federal poverty guidelines and live in the Houston region or a neighboring county. 

Cost: Citizenship help is free, but help with other types of cases requires a low legal fee. 

How to contact: Registrations for consultations are available via their website here. You can also call 713-929-9280 or email at [email protected].

Upcoming events: A citizenship clinic will be held  Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. Applicants must register online here.

Tahirih Justice Center

The Tahirih Justice Center is a nonprofit organization that serves women, girls and immigrants of all genders who have survived gender-based violence and are already residing in the U.S. The organization offers free social services and legal support as well as training and education. 

Types of services: Interdisciplinary legal and social services for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence and asylum as well as family reunification, permanent residency applications and citizenship.

Requirements: Its services focus on people who are facing or fleeing gender-based violence, and impacted family members.

Cost: Services are free for those who qualify.

How to contact: Call 1-866-575-0071 for information, referrals and assistance.

YMCA International Services

YMCA International Services Programs include legal counseling and representation for area residents through the YMCA of Greater Houston.

Types of services: Assistance with asylum cases, DACA and TPS applications, deportation defense, citizenship and permanent residency, crime survivors visas, Afghan Legal Services, Ukrainian Legal Services, representation for certain Unaccompanied Minors.

Requirements: All interested community members must attend a consultation with a legal representative before initiating immigration legal services. 

Cost: Varies based on income level. Individuals with income less than or equal to 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines may qualify for pro bono representation.
How to contact: To schedule a consultation call 713-758-9280.

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