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Where to find free or low cost immigration legal help in the Bay Area

You do not have to face an immigration case alone. Honest help does not have to cost a lot. These nonprofit groups and county offices near East Palo Alto help with immigration papers and court cases for free or a low fee. Here is who does what, who they serve and how to reach them.

Where this applies
East Palo Alto, San Mateo County and Santa Clara County, California. The groups listed serve residents of those counties. Readers elsewhere in California or the U.S. can use the federal and national lists at the end of the page. Immigration law is federal. The approval lists for accredited representatives and free lawyers come from the U.S. Department of Justice.
Facts checked
Who it’s for

Immigrants and families who live or work in East Palo Alto, San Mateo County or Santa Clara County, with or without papers, and the pastors, teachers, neighbors and family members who help them find a lawyer.

On this page

Take the next step

This page lists places to get help. It is general information, not legal advice. Want to know if a lawyer is trustworthy? See How to find a lawyer you can trust.

Who is allowed to help me with my immigration case?

Only two kinds of people may give you immigration legal advice, such as which form to file or whether you qualify for something:

Who What they are What they may do How to check
Attorney (lawyer) Licensed by a state bar Give advice and represent you before immigration offices and immigration court State Bar of California or 1-800-843-9053. A lawyer from another state can be checked with that state.
DOJ accredited representative Not a lawyer. Approved by the U.S. Department of Justice and works only through a recognized nonprofit Give advice. With full accreditation, also represent you in immigration court. With partial accreditation, only before immigration offices (DHS), not in court. DOJ roster
Notario, notary or immigration consultant Not a lawyer in the U.S. Only limited paperwork help, like typing answers you give them. May not give legal advice or tell you which form to use. California Secretary of State consultant search

Many groups on this page use accredited representatives. That is real help, not a lesser kind. Accreditation lasts three years at a time, so a group may show "renewal pending" on the roster.

How do I check a group before I call?

We already did. We checked every group on this page against two U.S. Department of Justice lists on October 18, 2026, and rechecked each group's phone, address and services on its own website on October 21, 2026:

  • The list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives (the roster dated October 11, 2026). A group on this list is a nonprofit approved to give immigration help through accredited representatives. Groups made up of lawyers, like Asian Law Alliance, do not need to be on it.
  • The List of Pro Bono Legal Service Providers (October 2026). It names nonprofits and lawyers who give free help to people with a case in a given immigration court. The Department of Justice says it does not endorse anyone on it. For the Bay Area, look at the Concord Immigration Court section.

Each listing below says what we found.

Where can I get help in East Palo Alto and San Mateo County?

These are nonprofit legal programs. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

  • Helps with: DACA, asylum, U visas and VAWA for survivors of crime and domestic violence, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for young people, and deportation defense in court or detention
  • Who qualifies: people with low income who live in San Mateo County or Santa Clara County
  • Languages: English and Spanish on its website. The Department of Justice pro bono list also names Portuguese.
  • Cost: no fee is listed. Ask when you call.
  • How to reach them: 650-326-6440. Walk in at 1861 Bay Road, East Palo Alto, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The phone is not answered after 1 p.m., but you can leave a message. A Mountain View office (100 W. El Camino Real, Suite 73) is by appointment only. clsepa.org/services
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through March 28, 2030. Also on the pro bono list for adults and young people in removal cases.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Immigration Institute of the Bay Area (IIBA), Redwood City office

  • Helps with: a check of what you may qualify for, citizenship, DACA, family petitions, work permits and other papers. Cases it cannot take are referred out.
  • Who qualifies: everyone is welcome, whatever their income or status
  • Languages: website in English and Spanish. Ask about other languages.
  • Cost: the first consultation is free. Citizenship classes and workshops are free. "No one will be denied service due to inability to pay."
  • How to reach them: by appointment only, no drop ins. IIBA's Redwood City office page says to call (650) 587-1558 to book a free first consultation, or book online. Its consultations page lists the office's main line, (650) 780-7530. Either number reaches the Redwood City office. 600 Allerton Street, Suite 101, Redwood City. redwoodcity@iibayarea.org.
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through June 24, 2031. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026
  • Helps with: family petitions, green cards, consular processing, waivers, citizenship, DACA, TPS, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U and T visas, VAWA, asylum, FBI background checks and records requests, and immigration court cases (bond hearings, asylum and cancellation of removal)
  • Who qualifies: not stated on its website. Ask when you call.
  • Languages: website and request form in English and Spanish
  • Cost: no fee is listed. Catholic Charities says it never charges fees over the phone or through online ads. If someone asks you to pay that way in its name, it is a scam.
  • How to reach them: call (650) 285-6451 or use the online consultation request form. The county lists a San Mateo office at 36 37th Avenue, San Mateo. Catholic Charities immigration services
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization with a San Mateo office, shown as active with renewal pending. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Coastside Hope (Half Moon Bay)

  • Helps with: green cards, family petitions, removal of conditions, DACA renewal, work permits, travel papers, green card replacement and records requests
  • Who qualifies: people who live or work on the Coastside
  • Languages: citizenship classes in English and Spanish
  • Cost: the first consultation is $50. Help with government filing fees may be available if your income qualifies. Citizenship classes are free.
  • How to reach them: call 650-726-9071, extension 229, for an appointment. For DACA, 650-523-3538 or immigration@coastsidehope.org. 248 Main Street, Suite 200, Half Moon Bay. Coastside Hope immigration
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through August 19, 2031. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Tahirih Justice Center, San Francisco Bay Area

  • Helps with: free legal help in immigration law and other areas for immigrant women and girls fleeing violence
  • Who qualifies: immigrant women and girls fleeing violence in California
  • Languages: not listed. Ask when you call.
  • Cost: free
  • How to reach them: call 1-866-575-0071, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. No walk ins at any office. Its San Francisco Bay Area office line is 650-270-2100. Tahirih get help
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization with a San Bruno office, shown as active with renewal pending. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026
  • Helps with: VAWA, U visa and T visa petitions, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and green cards that follow them. It generally does not take DACA or other immigration cases.
  • Who qualifies: immigrant survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault or trafficking with low income who live in the Bay Area.
  • Languages: the advice line helps in all languages
  • Cost: free if you qualify
  • How to reach them: Legal Advice Line 1-800-551-5554, Monday and Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. It may close early when full, so call at 9:30. San Mateo County line (650) 472-2666; Santa Clara County line (408) 850-7066. Survivors are referred to its survivors' line by a domestic violence or sexual assault agency, police or a court. Bay Area Legal Aid immigration
  • On the DOJ lists: a lawyers' office, not on the roster or the pro bono list
  • Checked: October 21, 2026
  • Helps with: free civil legal help. Its LIBRE program (Linking Immigrants to Benefits Resources and Education) explains public benefits and immigration options, and gives limited immigration help, including consultations and help with VAWA, U visas and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for teen parents, their families and other vulnerable immigrants. The State of California lists it for removal defense.
  • Who qualifies: people with low income who live in San Mateo County
  • Languages: help for people who speak limited English. Spanish resources online.
  • Cost: free
  • How to reach them: main line (650) 558-0915. For a LIBRE attorney appointment, 650-517-8936. 330 Twin Dolphin Drive, Suite 123, Redwood City. LIBRE program
  • On the DOJ lists: a lawyers' office, not on the roster or the pro bono list
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Puente de la Costa Sur (Pescadero, for South Coast residents)

  • Helps with: San Mateo County lists it for help with some immigration forms, translations and finding services. It is not a full legal office, so ask what it can do for your case.
  • Who qualifies: people on the San Mateo County South Coast
  • Languages: ask when you call
  • Cost: not stated. Ask when you call.
  • How to reach them: (650) 879-1691, outreach@mypuente.org. 620 North Street, Pescadero. Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed 1 to 1:30 p.m. for lunch. mypuente.org
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through March 1, 2027 (roster dated October 11, 2026). Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Where can I get help in Santa Clara County?

These are nonprofit legal programs. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service. CLSEPA (above) also serves Santa Clara County.

Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County

  • Helps with: green cards, citizenship, family petitions, DACA, VAWA and U visas
  • Who qualifies: residents of Santa Clara County with low to moderate income. You may be asked for last year's tax return or a recent pay stub. The Gilroy office serves Gilroy, San Martin and Morgan Hill.
  • Languages: not listed. Ask when you call.
  • Cost: a consultation is $50, paid by debit or credit card. It is not refunded, and it does not promise they will take your case.
  • How to reach them: call (408) 468-0100 to be put on the consultation list. 2625 Zanker Road, Suite 201, San Jose, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gilroy: (408) 842-4808, 7415 Eigleberry, Suites 102 and 103. Catholic Charities immigration
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization (San Jose and Gilroy), shown as active with renewal pending. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN)

  • Helps with: citizenship, green card renewal, family petitions, DACA renewal, U visas, VAWA, records requests, and deportation defense, including asylum cases in court. It does not take consular cases.
  • Who qualifies: no limits listed. DACA renewal clinics are open to anyone living in California.
  • Languages: not listed. Ask when you call.
  • Cost: free phone consultations by appointment. Other services are low cost. For DACA renewal, a SIREN fee may apply, plus the government fee.
  • How to reach them: (408) 453-3003. The San Jose office is open Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday 9 a.m. to noon by phone only. For a case in immigration court, call (559) 840-0005 (SIREN's Fresno office line). 1769 Park Avenue, Suite 200, San Jose. No walk ins. info@sirenimmigrantrights.org. SIREN legal services
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through March 12, 2030. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Asian Law Alliance

  • Helps with: green cards, citizenship, TPS, DACA renewal, VAWA, visas for victims of crime or trafficking, and deportation defense for people fleeing persecution
  • Who qualifies: people with low income and people who speak limited English
  • Languages: Mandarin, Cantonese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean and others as needed
  • Cost: free or low cost
  • How to reach them: (408) 287-9710. 991 W. Hedding Street, Suite 202, San Jose. Asian Law Alliance
  • On the DOJ lists: a lawyers' office, not on the roster or the pro bono list
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Amigos de Guadalupe Center for Justice and Empowerment

  • Helps with: family petitions, citizenship, DACA, green cards, U visas and VAWA, work permits, TPS and waivers. Referrals to partner attorneys for full cases. The county lists it for deportation defense and detained cases.
  • Who qualifies: not stated. Ask when you visit.
  • Languages: Spanish materials on its website. Ask about other languages.
  • Cost: free and low cost services
  • How to reach them: walk in consultations Wednesday at 1 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m., first come, first served. (408) 341-6080. 1897 Alum Rock Avenue, Suite 35, San Jose. Amigos de Guadalupe legal services
  • On the DOJ lists: not on the roster or the pro bono list
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Pars Equality Center

  • Helps with: citizenship, green cards, DACA, family petitions, travel papers, work permits, VAWA, U visas and waivers
  • Who qualifies: serves immigrant communities with low income. No limits listed.
  • Languages: website in English and Persian (Farsi)
  • Cost: described as affordable. No fees listed.
  • How to reach them: (408) 261-6405. 1635 The Alameda, San Jose. Pars Equality Center San Jose
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through May 31, 2029. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

International Rescue Committee (IRC), San Jose

  • Helps with: citizenship, green cards, work permits, DACA renewal, travel papers and family reunification
  • Who qualifies: newcomers. No limits listed.
  • Languages: not listed. Ask when you call.
  • Cost: low cost
  • How to reach them: (408) 277-0255. 1210 South Bascom Avenue, Suite 227, San Jose. SanJose@Rescue.org. For a consultation in San Jose, IRC says to email SanJoseImmigration@rescue.org to join its waitlist. IRC Northern California immigration IRC San Jose
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization, active through January 13, 2032. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Step Forward Foundation

  • Helps with: asylum, DACA, green card renewal, U and T visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, VAWA, and defense in removal cases
  • Who qualifies: mainly people in Santa Clara, San Benito and Monterey counties
  • Languages: not listed. Ask when you call.
  • Cost: free consultations, advice and help
  • How to reach them: (408) 915-8698. Mail: P.O. Box 123, Morgan Hill, CA 95038. Step Forward
  • On the DOJ lists: recognized organization (Morgan Hill and San Jose), shown as active with renewal pending. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026
  • Helps with: deportation defense, including asylum and cancellation of removal
  • Who qualifies: not stated. Ask when you call.
  • Languages: not listed. Spanish materials on its website.
  • Cost: free or low cost
  • How to reach them: (415) 254-0475 or welcome@pangealegal.org. San Jose office: 855 Lenzen Avenue. San Francisco office: 391 Sutter Street, Suite 500. pangealegal.org
  • On the DOJ lists: no San Jose office on the roster. Not on the pro bono list.
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

Santa Clara University, Katharine and George Alexander Community Law Center

  • Helps with: advice and help with T visas, U visas, VAWA self petitions and proving citizenship acquired at birth. Advice clinics run twice a month, by appointment. It may take a small number of clients for full representation.
  • Who qualifies: mainly residents of Santa Clara County who meet federal income limits
  • Languages: Spanish information on its website. Ask about other languages.
  • Cost: free. Court, mailing or interpreter costs may not be covered.
  • How to reach them: call (408) 288-7030, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 1030 The Alameda, San Jose. Community Law Center immigration
  • On the DOJ lists: a law school clinic, not on the roster or the pro bono list
  • Checked: October 21, 2026

What if I have a court case or someone is detained?

Act fast. Immigration court has dates and deadlines that do not wait. We know this is frightening. Call more than one group on the same day. Tell each one you have a court case or a family member is detained.

Your hearing is probably in Concord now. The San Francisco Immigration Court closed on September 4, 2026, and its cases moved to the Concord Immigration Court, 1855 Gateway Boulevard, Suite 850, Concord, 925-680-9015. Always follow the place on your own hearing notice. See Immigration court from start to finish.

These groups say on their own websites that they take deportation defense or removal cases:

  • CLSEPA: court and detention cases for low income residents of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. It is also on the Department of Justice pro bono list for the Bay Area court. 650-326-6440.
  • SIREN: removal cases, (559) 840-0005
  • Step Forward Foundation: removal cases, (408) 915-8698
  • Pangea Legal Services: deportation defense, (415) 254-0475
  • Asian Law Alliance: deportation defense for people fleeing persecution, (408) 287-9710
  • Catholic Charities San Francisco: immigration court, including bond hearings, (650) 285-6451

For someone held by immigration, Santa Clara County lists six groups for detention help: Amigos de Guadalupe, CLSEPA, Pangea, the Santa Clara University Community Law Center, Step Forward and SIREN. Santa Clara County detention counsel list

Where are free citizenship workshops near East Palo Alto?

Have a green card and ready to become a citizen? These programs can help you fill out the application for free or low cost:

  • IIBA Redwood City citizenship workshop: the second Tuesday of each month, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Trained volunteers help with the application, then you meet one on one with a legal expert. Free, but you must register: (650) 780-7530. IIBA also offers free citizenship classes. IIBA Redwood City
  • Coastside Hope: free weekly citizenship classes in English and Spanish, Half Moon Bay. 650-726-9071. Coastside Hope
  • San Mateo County Libraries: held free immigration workshops in spring 2026, including at the East Palo Alto Library, with one on one consultations by attorneys from the Council on American Islamic Relations. All are welcome, whatever their status. Look for new dates on the library's event calendar. San Mateo County Libraries
  • In Santa Clara County: the county lists groups that help with citizenship by name. Santa Clara County citizenship help

Have DACA and need to renew? SIREN holds DACA renewal clinics on October 29, November 12 and December 10, 2026. Call (408) 453-3003. See also the DACA guide.

What do the counties offer?

The counties do not take your case themselves. They point you to nonprofits and run rapid response lines.

  • Santa Clara County Office of Immigrant Relations: a list of free to low cost legal help sorted by need (asylum, green cards, citizenship, DACA, deportation defense, detention, work permits, family petitions, U and T visas, TPS and more), in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese and Tagalog. Rapid response line: (408) 290-1144. Free to low cost immigration legal services
  • San Mateo County Immigrant Services: connects immigrant residents to information and services. (650) 363-4194, immigrantservices@smcgov.org, 500 County Center, 5th Floor, Redwood City. Its legal help list names the groups above and more in San Francisco and Oakland. The county funds Faith in Action to run its 24 hour rapid response hotline, (203) 666-4472. San Mateo County legal assistance list
  • State of California: the Department of Social Services funds nonprofits to help immigrants and lists them by region. Immigration services contractors

How can I find more groups?

Who can help?

These are public offices and nonprofit programs that can point you to the right place. Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

You are not alone in this. The right help can take more than one call. Keep going. Do not lose hope.

What should I ask when I call?

Sources

Only the page name and link go in the message. Nothing about you or your situation is added.

Printed from https://donotlosehope.com/guides/free-legal-help-bay-area/. Facts checked October 21, 2026. Free information, not legal advice.

Need a place to turn?

Find an organization or try another starting point. You can return to this guide whenever you need it.