Immigration Legal Services – Giving a voice to the voiceless

Catholic Charities' St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigration Legal Assistance is dedicated to providing high-quality services to individuals otherwise unable to obtain legal representation. Our clients encompass victims of human trafficking, those separated from their families and eager to be reunited, and those who fear persecution in their country of origin.

To read more about all the programs and services we offer to meet the needs of our communities, click here to read or download our services brochure.

Services offered

St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigration Legal Assistance is dedicated to providing high quality, low-cost and pro bono legal services to immigrants and refugees who would otherwise not be able to obtain legal representation. Center activities include outreach, legal assessment and counseling, citizenship application assistance, legal representation and advocacy.  The Cabrini Center is the largest non-profit immigration legal service provider in Houston accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals to represent individuals in immigration legal matters. 

We provide on-site information sessions called Charlas, free of charge, three times per month at the main office in Houston and once per month in Richmond at Catholic Charities’ Mamie George Community Center. Charla attendees learn about immigration laws, and afterwards have the opportunity for a free consultation with an Immigration Attorney or Accredited Representative. Free Citizenship Workshops are also offered each month and staff provides citizenship application assistance.

View upcoming Charla and Citizenship Workshop dates and times on the agency's event calendar.

All services of the Cabrini Center are provided without regard to race, religion or socioeconomic status.

We accept the following types of cases:

• Family Petitions

• Naturalization

• Cuban Adjustment

• Refugee and Asylee Adjustment

• T Visa, U Visa, & VAWA

• Asylum

• Unaccompanied Minors

• Deferred Action

We do not accept the following types of cases: 

• Business or Employment Immigration

• Legalization or new TPS cases

• Other types of legal services such as Family Law

• U.S. Passport Services

Eligibility Criteria

• No criminal convictions with the exception of prior clients

• No cases filed by other attorneys or notaries (unless we have a copy of previously filed I-130)

• No Consular Processing cases if there are multiple entries

• Clients must be referred by Refugee/Resettlement, St. Jerome’s, or through a Charla

• No walk-ins are allowed except for Charlas - we see clients by appointment only

• $30 intake fee for all cases except:

  • Older Refugees

  • Refugee/Asylee Citizenship cases

  • Crime Victims cases

  • Income below 125% of the poverty guideline qualifies for free immigration legal services

  • We do not provide other forms of financial assistance

  • Must provide proof of income

The New Americans Campaign

The St. Frances Cabrini Center for Immigration Legal Assistance participates the New Americans Campaign, a groundbreaking national network of legal-service providers, faith-based organizations, businesses, foundations and community leaders that is paving a better road to citizenship.

Service Area/Location

Catholic Charities' Midtown office: 2900 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77006

Fort Bend County: Mamie George Community Center, 1111 Collins Road, Richmond, Texas 77469

Volunteer Opportunities

• Pro Bono Attorneys and other volunteers are welcomed in all program areas. 

• We provide summer and post graduate internships for law students. 

Those who wish to volunteer part-time or full-time are encouraged to apply by contacting afirkus@catholiccharities.org.

To Access services/Contact INFO

View upcoming Charla dates and times on the agency's event calendar.

713.874.6570