We need to understand your case to know if we can help. Everything you share with us is kept confidential and will never be shared without your permission.

STEP 1: Contact us to start the process

Call our intake phone line at 612-341-9845 or fill out the online form to start the process.

We will need to know:

• where you live,
• your income and the income of family members,
• when you entered the United States, and
• dates of any upcoming hearing.

Please leave a message with this information and your phone number so we can call you back.

STEP 2: We either will schedule an intake interview or send you referrals

If you meet our guidelines, we will call you back to schedule an intake appointment. If you do not meet our guidelines, we will send you information about other legal help.

The intake appointment usually lasts 1 1/2 to 2 hours. The appointment takes place at our office, by phone, or video chat.

We will ask you questions about your case and review documents you show us that are related to your case. If you have them, it helps us to see your passport; any papers Border Patrol, ICE, or the Immigration Court gave you; copies of any papers you filed with immigration; and any other evidence you think will help us understand why you cannot safely return to your home country. 

In order to protect your privacy, we prefer to meet with only you (and an interpreter, if needed).

STEP 3: We will notify you if we can take your case.

After your intake appointment, The Advocates' legal staff will evaluate your case. If we are able to help, we will send you a letter telling you that we will find a volunteer attorney to represent you. This can take a some time (at least a few weeks), so please be patient. If we cannot help you, we will send you a list of attorneys and agencies that might be able to help you.