Free & Low-Cost Immigration Legal Help in Chicago (2026 Guide)
Yado Community Resource Center · Chicago
A free community guide from Ubuntu by Yado · Last verified September 2026
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QUICK ANSWER
Chicago has many nonprofits that offer free or low-cost immigration legal help, including organizations focused on African immigrants and refugees. Below are trusted nonprofits and legal aid groups, plus the official ways to check that someone is allowed to help you. Always call ahead: services, hours and eligibility change.
Protect yourself from immigration scams
Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative working at a DOJ-recognized organization can give immigration legal advice or represent you. "Notarios," immigration consultants and document preparers are not allowed to. Never pay for blank government forms, and never sign papers you don't understand.
Organizations Serving African Immigrants & Refugees
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United African Organization (UAO) 6042 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60637 · (312) 949-9980 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM Immigration legal program, family services, citizenship help, ESL and civic classes, African language bank. Serves African immigrants and refugees statewide. uniteafricans.org |
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Ethiopian Community Association of Chicago 5800 N Lincoln Ave, Unit C, Chicago, IL 60659 Asylum help, English (ESL) classes, employment case management, Illinois Welcoming Center. Serves Ethiopian, African and other refugee communities on the North Side. ecachicago.org |
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RefugeeOne 6008 N California Ave, Chicago, IL 60659 Refugee resettlement, immigration assistance, English training, job help, women's and youth programs, wellness and a dental clinic. refugeeone.org |
Free & Low-Cost Immigration Legal Services
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National Immigrant Justice Center · 111 W Jackson Blvd, Suite 800, Chicago, IL 60604 Asylum representation, DACA, citizenship, green cards and visas. Statewide. immigrantjustice.org |
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Legal Aid Chicago · Chicago and suburban Cook County Free civil legal help for people with limited income, including immigration, housing, family and work issues. legalaidchicago.org |
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Centro de Trabajadores Unidos · 9805 S Ewing Ave, Chicago, IL 60617 (near our store) Immigration services and worker support for South Chicago, South Deering, Calumet City and nearby. centrodetrabajadoresunidos.org |
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Greater Chicago Legal Clinic · 17 N State St, Suite 1710, Chicago, IL 60602 Immigration, family, housing and homelessness legal help in Cook County. gclclaw.org |
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Beyond Legal Aid · 17 N State St #1380, Chicago, IL 60602 Community law offices, plus know-your-rights workshops on citizenship, DACA, tenant rights and ICE interactions. beyondlegalaid.org |
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Northern Illinois Justice for Our Neighbors · Multiple locations Free immigration legal services for low-income immigrants in northern Illinois. nijfon.org |
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HIAS Chicago (JCFS) · 216 W Jackson St, Suite 700, Chicago, IL 60606 Citizenship application support, refugee resettlement and case management. jcfs.org/hias |
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World Relief Chicagoland · 3507 W Lawrence Ave, Chicago, IL 60625 Immigrant and refugee services across Chicago, Cook and DuPage counties. worldrelief.org/chicagoland |
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Children's Legal Center · 1100 W Cermak Rd, Suite 422, Chicago, IL 60608 Free legal services for children in the immigration process. childrenslegalcenterchicago.org |
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Chicago Volunteer Legal Services · 33 N Dearborn St, Suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602 Free legal aid for low-income Chicagoans. cvls.org |
Women & Family Safety
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Apna Ghar · 4350 N Broadway, 2nd Floor, Chicago, IL 60613 Culturally informed services for immigrant and refugee survivors of gender-based violence. apnaghar.org |
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Muslim Women Resource Center · 2828 W Devon Ave, Chicago, IL English classes, immigration assistance, rental assistance and public benefits help. mwrcnfp.org |
Official Directories & Help Lines
| DOJ Recognition & Accreditation Program: check whether an organization or representative is authorized to give immigration legal help. justice.gov/eoir |
| National Immigration Legal Services Directory: search nonprofit legal services by ZIP code. immigrationadvocates.org |
| Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR): statewide immigrant support and family resources. icirr.org |
| 211 Metro Chicago: dial 211 for local food, housing, legal and other help. |
| In crisis or need emotional support? Call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7 in many languages. |
Tips Before Your Appointment
| 01 Call first. Many offices work by appointment and have waitlists. |
| 02 Ask what languages they offer. Many provide French and other interpreters. |
| 03 Bring copies of your ID, passport, any immigration papers and letters you've received. |
| 04 Ask whether the person helping you is an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative. |
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
Ubuntu by Yado is our way of giving back to the African and Caribbean communities who make Yado home. This free guide lists public resources only. It is not legal advice, and Yado is not affiliated with these organizations. Know a resource we should add, or see something out of date? Email info@yadomarket.com.
Yado African & Caribbean Market · 1651 E 87th St, Chicago · A taste of home, with free pickup and local delivery.
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Sources: Cook County: Local Organizations Serving Immigrants & Refugees · United African Organization · U.S. Department of Justice EOIR