Though an attorney is not required to apply for asylum, we strongly urge applicants to find legal assistance if at all possible. In the U.S. asylum seekers must find and often pay their own lawyer. This page identifies free (pro bono) or discounted (low bono) legal assistance.
National Networks of Immigration Lawyers:
Immigration Advocates Network
This map will help asylum seekers to find local immigration assistance. Click on the current state of residence or enter your current zip code. This will show all nearby organizations that provide legal support to immigrants. Some will have more experience with LGBT asylum applications than others.
United States Department of Justice
This page of the Department of Justice website allows asylum seekers to search for free legal services across the United States. Some immigration lawyers will have more experience with LGBT asylum cases than others.
Immigration Equality
Immigration Equality has an expert legal team with significant experience helping LGBT asylum seekers.
Free Legal Aid
This is a general site where applicants may be able to find free or low cost legal assistance. This website is not specifically for immigration law.
Regional Immigration Legal Aid:
Boston, MA/greater Massachusetts
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS): The Immigrant Unit of GBLS helps immigrants with legal needs, including those applying for asylum.
Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Clinic: The Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinic primarily works with asylum seeking clients. Law students will do the majority of the legal work.
Ascentria Care Alliance (ACA): The Immigration Legal Assistance division of ACA has a special LGBT Human Rights Protection Project. This initiative helps LGBT immigrants apply for asylum.
Chicago, IL
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC): NIJC’s LGBT Immigrant Rights Initiative provides legal services, including asylum applications, to LGBT immigrants. These services are only available to immigrants located in the Midwestern United States, especially those in the greater Chicago region.
Los Angeles, LA
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA): The Immigration Law department of LAFLA helps immigrants with legal needs, including those applying for asylum.
New York State
Cornell Law School Advocacy for LGBT Communities Clinic: The Cornell Law School Advocacy for LGBT Communities Clinic helps low-income LGBT people with legal needs, including immigrants who are applying for asylum.
Safe Horizon: Safe Horizon’s Immigration Law Project provides legal services to immigrant victims of violence, including asylum seekers.
New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG): NYLAG’s LGBTQ project provides legal services to low-income LGBTQ clients.
City Bar Justice Center (CBJC): CBJC’s LGBT Advocacy Project serves low-income LGBT clients, including immigrants seeking asylum.
Philadelphia, PA
Camden Center for Law and Social Justice (CCLSJ): The Immigration Program of CCLSJ serves immigrants with legal needs, including asylum seekers.
HIAS: HIAS specializes in helping immigrants and refugees navigate the US legal system. Their services include helping immigrants apply for asylum.
Nationalities Service Center (NSC): NSC’s Legal Services provides legal assistance to immigrants, including those seeking to apply for asylum.
Portland, OR
Catholic Charities Oregon: Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services assists immigrants with legal needs, including those applying for asylum.
ICS: ICS is a nonprofit, immigration law form that provides legal services to immigrants, including individuals seeking asylum.
Lutheran Communities Services Northwest (LCS): LCS’ Immigration Counseling and Adovcacy Program provides immigration counseling to immigrants and refugees, including those applying for asylum.
San Francisco, CA
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR): NCLR’s Asylum and Immigration Project provides legal assistance to LGBT asylum seekers.
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant (EBSC): EBSC’s Affirmative Asylum Program helps immigrants applying for asylum, including those seeking asylum for their LGBT identity.
Seattle, WA
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP): NWIRP provides legal services for immigrants in Washington state, including those applying for asylum.
Washington, DC
George Washington University Immigration Law Clinic: The George Washington Immigration Law Clinic provides legal services to immigrants applying for asylum.
Ayuda: Ayuda provides legal assistance to immigrants, including those who are seeking asylum.