Resources
LCR Legal Intake
Civil Rights Legal Intake
Lawyers for Civil Rights provides free legal support to qualifying Massachusetts residents who have faced discrimination or harassment related to education, employment, housing, immigration, police accountability, and voting.
We only handle cases with clear civil rights implications. We do not take individual immigration cases, criminal matters, divorce or custody disputes, personal injury claims, medical malpractice, individual evictions, or other family law cases.
Due to overwhelming demand and limited resources, our legal intake may occasionally close. We receive many more requests for free legal assistance than we can take on. Unfortunately, we are unable to respond to inquiries that we cannot pursue.
To submit a request for free legal assistance, please email details of your case to office@lawyersforcivilrights.org.
Small Business Intake (BizGrow)
Know Your Rights Resources
Know Your Rights Trainings
Lawyers for Civil Rights provides frequent in-person and virtual Know Your Rights trainings to community groups across Massachusetts. If you would like to request a training for your organization or group, please reach out to office@lawyersforcivilrights.org.
Immigration
Immigrants: Know Your Rights
Inmigrantes: Conozca Sus Derechos
Imigrantes: Entenda Seus Direitos
Imigran: Konnen Dwa W
What to do if ICE comes knocking
Qué hacer si ICE llama a tu puerta
Interactions with ICE and Law Enforcement
Interacciones con Oficiales de Inmigración y la Policia
Plan For Your Children in Case of Deportation or Separation
Prepara un Plan para sus Hijos en Caso de Deportación o Separación
Small Businesses
Youth Rights
Your Rights Matter! A Youth's Guide for Police Encounters at and on the way to School
¡Tus Derechos Importan! Guía para jóvenes sobre encuentros con la policía en la escuela y en el camino a la escuela
Responding to Racial Bullying: A Self-Advocacy Guide
Navigating Racial Bullying: A Parent's Quick Guide
Model Policy for Identity-Based Bullying & Harassment
Immigration Legal Resources
Emergency Immigration Hotlines
Boston Bond & Legal Defense Fund
(617) 396-7143 for help finding loved ones
(617) 637-8195 for those who have been detained
LUCE Hotline
617-370-5023
Massachusetts Access to Counsel Initiative (MACI)
(508) 505-4588 for detained and non-detained individuals in removal proceedings
MIRA Immigration Helpline
(508) 293-1871
National Lawyers Guild (NLG) MA Chapter
(617) 433-8353
Immigration Bonds
BIJAN
Raising money for immigration bonds and support for people detained in Massachusetts and Rhode Island or coming to MA after release
Massachusetts Bail Fund
State-wide non-profit organization that pays bail and bond fees for low-income people to help ensure freedom pre-trial and reduce cash bail inequities
Legal Support
Pro bono capacity varies. The organizations listed here may accept cases depending on their current bandwidth and practice areas. If they can’t provide representation, ask whether they can offer a referral. This is a snapshot of each organization’s services. Many provide additional support beyond what’s listed here. For the most up-to-date details, please visit the organization’s website.
Agencia Alpha
Community-based organization providing free or low-cost immigration legal assistance on citizenship applications, U and T Visas, along with support services. Accepting immigration intakes for citizenship application assistance, U Visas, and T Visas.
Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) Immigration Unit
Provides free immigration legal representation to low-income individuals and families in Greater Boston. Immigration intake is only available on the first working day of each month (in person or by phone).
Berkshire Immigrant Center
Western Massachusetts organization providing immigration legal services, advocacy, and support services to immigrants and refugees in the Berkshires and surrounding areas.
Central West Justice Center
Provides civil legal assistance to low-income residents across Central and Western Massachusetts. Intake open.
Children’s Law Center
Focused on legal advocacy for children and youth involved in immigration, education, and public benefits systems.
De Novo
Supports immigrants and survivors through legal services and trauma-informed advocacy. Intake open, especially for VAWA, SIJ, and asylum. De Novo offers consultations on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Fill out a form on their website to receive an appointment.
GLAD Law
Supports the LGBTQ+ community.
Harvard Law School Immigration and Refugee Clinic
Law school clinic offering direct legal representation and advocacy for immigrants and asylum seekers
Health Law Advocates
Provides legal assistance and advocacy related to healthcare access and public benefits
Justice at Work
Advocates for low-wage workers through legal support, policy work, and organizing. Generally doesn’t take individual cases.
Lawyers for Civil Rights
Provides free legal support to qualifying Massachusetts residents who have faced discrimination or harassment related to education, employment, housing, immigration, police accountability, and voting.
Massachusetts Law Reform Institute (MLRI)
State-wide advocacy organization focused on systemic reform affecting low-income communities
City of Boston, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Assistance (MOIA)
Municipal office supporting immigrant integration, access to services, and policy advocacy. Hosts bi-weekly immigration clinics on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Northeast Legal Aid
Provides free civil legal services to Northern Massachusetts. Intake is open, especially for immigration consultations.
PAIR Project
Offers free immigration and asylum representation through partnerships with volunteer attorneys.
Prisoners’ Legal Services
Provides free legal services to incarcerated individuals and others
Rian Immigrant Center
Provides immigration-related legal services and support services.
South Coastal Counties Legal Services
Offers free civil legal assistance in Southeastern Massachusetts
Community Organizations Supporting Immigrants
This isn’t a complete list—it’s a snapshot of organizations doing this work. Many offer additional services beyond what’s listed here, so please check their websites for the latest details.
Multi-Service Organizations
Asian American Civic Association (AACA)
Offers workforce development, immigration services, and community advocacy.
Asian American Resource Workshop (AARW)
Organizes Southeast Asian community members
ACEDONE (African Community Economic Development of New England)
Supports immigrant communities through economic development, advocacy, and organizing
Action for Boston Community Development (ABCD) Immigrant & Refugee Services
Provides social services, education, and support to immigrant families
Berkshire Alliance to Support the Immigrant Community (BASIC)
Resource directory for the Berkshires
Black Refugee and Immigrant Coalition (BRICC)
Black-led coalition advocating for the rights, safety, and dignity of Black refugees and immigrants through policy advocacy, organizing, and community support
Community-based organization providing resources and support
Brazilian Worker Center (including the Family Welcome Center)
Worker-led organization providing labor rights advocacy and immigrant support services.
Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC)
Provides social services, education, and housing support in Chinatown
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA)
Leads community outreach and support in Lowell
Leads community organizing efforts and supports immigrant women and families
Centro Communitario de Trabajadores
Provides community support in the New Bedford area
Chinese Progressive Association (CPA)
Grassroots organization advancing worker rights, immigrant justice, and community power through organizing and advocacy
East Boston Community Council (EBCC)
Provides community support in East Boston
Ensures access to high-quality English classes
Haitian-Americans United (HAU)
Community-based organization supporting Haitian immigrants through advocacy, civic engagement, and providing access to resources that promote immigrant integration, stability, and empowerment
Community-based organization leading youth empowerment and development
Community-based organization in Boston’s South End
Immigrant Assistance Center of New Bedford
Provides advocacy, interpretation and translation, and general support services to non-English speaking elders.
Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI)
Provides family support, legal navigation, and emergency assistance
Focuses on advocacy and community engagement
Provides workforce training, English language classes, and employment support
Community-based organization providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health and education programs
Leads community organizing in Chelsea and surrounding areas, including extensive food and shelter support, along with workforce development and training
Leads community organizing in Everett
Matahari Women’s Worker Center
Women-led workers’ rights center
Leads state-wide faith-based community organizing efforts across multiple communities and coalitions
State-wide immigration coalition
Faith-led coalition in the Merrimack Valley organizing residents to fight for housing justice, immigrant rights, and economic equity through collective action and leadership development
Grassroots organization building community power through organizing and advocacy for housing, economics, and immigrant justice.
Pioneer Valley Worker’s Center
Community-based organization focusing on Western Massachusetts
Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI)
Quincy-based social services organization
Provides immigration-related legal services and support services
Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center (RIAC)
Legal and social services for refugees and immigrants in Central Massachusetts
Southeast Asian Coalition of Central Massachusetts (SEACMA)
Worcester-based community organization
Empowering South Asian women
Regional resource hub in the Southcoast
Community-based organization leading youth empowerment and development
Provides immigrants across Greater Boston with services such as English classes
Vietnamese American Civic Association in Boston (VACA)
Supports Vietnamese immigrants through social services and advocacy
Food
People Helping People (Burlington)
Greater Boston Food Bank (Greater Boston)
New Americans Association of MA (NAAMASS) (Lynn and Lowell)
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, and Hampshire Counties)
Worcester County Food Bank (Worcester County)
Merrimack Valley Food Bank (Northern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire)
East Boston Community Soup Kitchen (East Boston)
La Colaborativa (Chelsea)
Housing and Rental Assistance
The Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) runs a Family Shelter Hotline: 866-584-0653
Provides emergency rental and utility assistance for qualifying residents
Provides assistance, including RAFT application support
State-wide program preventing homelessness through housing stabilization services
Tenant-led housing justice organization organizing against displacement and supporting residents facing eviction through housing advocacy and collective action
Community-based organization in Boston’s South End focusing on affordable housing and wrap-around services
Pine Street Inn (Boston-based shelter)
Casa Myrna (Boston-based shelter)
Children’s Services of Roxbury (Boston-based shelter)
Rosie’s Place (Boston-based shelter)
Friendly House (Worcester-based shelter)
Mutual Aid Networks
These are examples of mutual aid networks run by neighbors helping neighbors. They are not formal organizations, but they are among the most direct ways to quickly mobilize cash and resources.
Lynn Rapid Response Network — Donations and emergency food
Boston Worker’s Circle — Whether you are offering or seeking resources, you can sign up to be a member of the network
Cooperative Economics — Community-based savings and lending practice used by immigrant communities to pool resources, build mutual aid, and support financial stability and mobility: Sol (Haitian), Sousou/ Esusu (African Diaspora), Tanda (Latin America), Hui (East Asian/Chinese).
Massachusetts Immigrant Collaborative (MIC) — Shared resources and collaboration for immigrant family stability and support services
Healthcare
Boston Medical Center Immigrant and Refugee Health Center (IRHC)
Provides culturally responsive healthcare for immigrants and refugees
Provides free medical care to uninsured patients
Haitian American Public Health Initiatives (HAPHI)
Empowering migrants through culturally relevant information, education, and services to improve well-being and community integration
Lynn Community Health Center Refugee Clinic
Provides health evaluations, resources, and support for newly arrived refugees
MGH Chelsea Community Health Center
Community health center in Chelsea
Community health center serving Roxbury and Dorchester
Provides legal assistance and advocacy related to healthcare access and public benefits
Youth and Education
Pet and Animal Support
Animal Rescue League — Provides animal rescue, veterinary care, and pet support services, including assistance for families experiencing housing instability or crisis
Wellness Waggin — Mobile services for residents of Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, and East Boston
Source Hub — Resource guide