Pro se help desks
Last updated on June 24, 2021
This is a list of organizations that provide limited scope legal assistance to asylum seekers without lawyers in immigration court. Please reach out to these organizations directly for details on their services. The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) has listed the pro se help desks we know about. Please email us at info@asylumadvocacy.org if you have other recommendations. Visit ASAP’s Find Help page to find other legal and social services.
California
Esperanza (Los Angeles)
- Location: Currently only providing services remotely over the phone.
- Tel: (323) 905-0404. Send a text with your name and a description of the assistance you seek.
- Help desk hours: Available by phone Tuesdays & Thursdays.
- Services: Asylum application (form I-589), work permit application (form I-765), motion to change venue, change of address (form E-33), Notice of Appeal
- Special notes: Also work with individuals who were placed in MPP (whether they are in the U.S. or in Mexico).
Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) (East Palo Alto)
- Location: CLESPA, 1861 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, CA 94303
- Tel: 650-326-6440
- Help desk hours: Available for walk-in appointments Monday – Thursday: 9am – 1pm PT. You can also call CLSEPA to schedule another time.
- Services: Asylum application (form I-589), motion to change venue, change of address (form E-33)
Centro Legal de la Raza (Oakland)
- Location: Currently only providing services remotely.
- Tel: (510) 437-1554
- Help desk hours: Please reach out for details.
- Services: Asylum application (form I-589)
Florida
Catholic Charities Legal Services, Archdiocese of Miami (Miami)
- Location: Currently only providing services remotely.
- Tel: (786) 414-2770
- Help desk hours: Please reach out for details.
- Services: Asylum application (form I-589), work permit application (form I-765), motion to change venue, change of address (form E-33), Notice of Appeal
Georgia
Center for Excellence (Atlanta)
- E-mail: aliya@innovationlawlab.org
- Help desk hours: Please reach out for details.
- Services: Asylum application (form I-589), work permit application (form I-765)
Illinois
National Immigrant Justice Center (Chicago)
- Location: Currently only providing services remotely.
- Tel: (312) 660-1328
- Help desk hours: Taking live calls Monday through Thursday, 9am-5pm CT. If you are unable to reach someone, please leave a message.
- Services provided: Asylum application (form I-589), work permit application (form I-765), motion to change venue, change of address (form E-33)
New York
Catholic Charities Community Services, Archdiocese of New York (New York)
- Location: 80 Maiden Lane New York, NY 10038
- Tel: (315) 690-4831. Call and leave a message or send a text message with your name, A-number, and phone number.
- Help desk hours: Call for more details.
- Services provided: Asylum application (form I-589), work permit application (form I-765), motion to change venue, change of address (form E-33)
Texas
American Gateways (San Antonio)
- Location: Currently only providing services by phone.
- Tel: 210-521-4768, ext. 232
- Help desk hours: Taking calls Monday through Thursday, 9am-12pm CT.