Immigration Client Resources

What kind of immigration legal services we provide

  • Advice— a lawyer will talk with you about your legal issue, tell you what your legal options are, answer questions you have, and explain the next steps you may have.
  • Brief Service— provides advice and, in some cases, we may be able to help review or complete a form, write a letter, make a phone call, or assemble forms and/or documentation for you to file with immigration. 
  • Full Representation— for select legal issues, we may match you with a lawyer who will represent you for the duration of your case.

How do we provide these services

  • By phone
  • At an in-person legal clinic 
  • By appointment after your case has been placed with a volunteer lawyer
  • At certain community educational events 

What kinds of legal immigration cases can we help you with?

We provide full or limited representation in the following types of cases:
  • We provide legal advice in most types of family and humanitarian-based immigration cases.
  • We may provide brief service or full representation in a limited number of immigration matters.
  • We do not provide representation in immigration court.
  • We do not provide assistance in: non-immigrant or employment-based immigration cases.

Important information

VLN receives many requests for legal help. While we aim to provide services to those who qualify, we are not always able to provide services to everyone. If we are unable to help you, we will try to refer you to someone who can.

Sometimes there are deadlines for immigration cases. Generally, we are unable to respond to urgent immigration matters.

In some cases, VLN may be able to provide a higher level of service like a brief service or full representation. The level of legal service we are able to provide will depend on the type of legal case you have.

When talking with a lawyer, give the lawyer all the information they ask for so you can get the best advice possible.

What to expect at a legal clinic or when working with a lawyer

  • Those who visit an in-person legal clinic are generally served on a first-come, first-serve basis. You may need to wait to speak to a lawyer.
  • When you arrive, we will sign you up for a time slot to talk to a lawyer. If we do not have enough time slots, you may need to return on another day or seek help elsewhere.
  • Consultations with lawyers usually last 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Generally, we have Spanish speaking staff and volunteers. You may bring your own interpreter who should be over 18 years old. We may use interpreters by phone.
  • Please bring all paperwork about your immigration case to help the lawyer understand your case. Paperwork may include identification documents, immigration paperwork, court documents, notices, correspondence or decisions from USCIS or the immigration court or other immigration agencies, and any other type of documents or information you have about your case.

Family and Immigration Preparedness Resources

Other Free Immigration Services Organizations/Programs in Minnesota  

Finding an Immigration Lawyer

Government Websites