Ensuring Justice through Comprehensive Legal Services

A Commitment to High-Quality Representation for Florida’s Immigrant Community

Florida ILJ is an immigration legal services non-profit that seeks justice for our immigrant neighbors through high-quality legal representation, application assistance, advocacy, and education on issues facing immigrants.

Throughout the state of Florida, ILJ represents a variety of immigrants on cases pertaining to humanitarian-based relief, including asylum, Citizenship, family petitions, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), Deportation Defense, Adjustment of Status, and more. Our attorneys seek to provide first-rate services to our clients regardless of their ability to pay. All of our legal services are provided absolutely free.

A Lifeline for Persecuted Individuals

Our Asylum Program

People flee their home countries for various reasons, often escaping persecution based on race, religion, political ideology, gender, ethnicity, or social group affiliation, qualifying them for asylum. Our Miami-based asylum program’s attorneys provide representation to ensure no one is forced back to a life of persecution, torture, or potential death. We assist with work authorization, removal dismissal or proceedings, asylum applications & court appearances, and provide tailored legal representation. To check your eligibility for our asylum program, schedule an advice and counsel session here.

Our Comprehensive Naturalization Program

Embracing Citizenship

Naturalization transforms lawful U.S. residents into citizens, a rigorous and expensive process that our attorneys skillfully guide clients through. In partnership with Learning Empowered, we offer a comprehensive Citizenship Program based in Tampa Bay. This includes Citizenship Instruction Classes, assistance with Naturalization applications, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes, delivered in a flexible hybrid model accessible statewide. For more information about our ESOL and Citizenship classes, visit Learning Empowered. If you’re prepared to apply for Citizenship, schedule an appointment with us today.

Other Services

Florida ILJ extends its services beyond established programs. Immigrants with humanitarian relief cases may qualify for our representation. While we strive to take as many cases as possible, those we can’t accommodate are referred to other area nonprofits. The case types listed below represent our most commonly provided services.

Family Petition:

This two-step process requires a family member with legal status to first file a petition for their immigrant relative. Only spouses, parents, or adult children can apply for certain family members. Once the Family Petition is approved, the client may apply for an immigrant visa or green card.

Refugee Adjustment of Status:

Refugees residing in the United States for at least one year can apply for lawful permanent residence. Our attorneys assist in this process. Once they have their green cards, former refugees may be eligible for our Citizenship Program. Refugees acquire their status abroad after proving a fear of persecution similar to asylees.

VAWA (Violence Against Women Act):

Under VAWA, an abused spouse, parent, or child of a U.S. citizen or LPR (green card holder) can apply for lawful permanent residence without the abuser’s knowledge, allowing the victim to independently seek safety and lawful status.

U Visa:

The U Visa encourages undocumented victims of violent crimes to report incidents without fear of deportation. Among other tasks, our attorneys assist these victims in securing a “law enforcement certification” to prove their helpfulness to the police.

SIJ (Special Immigrant Juvenile):

This relief form assists unaccompanied immigrant children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned by one or both parents. This multi-step case involves up to four distinct proceedings:

  • The family court case, where the child must prove abuse, neglect, or abandonment (Florida ILJ does not assist in the family court case)
  • Filing the SIJ petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
  • Filing for the Immigrant Visa or Green Card once the SIJ has been approved
  • Removal defense in Immigration Court

If you believe you qualify for these or other forms of humanitarian relief, you may schedule an Advice and Counsel appointment to explore your options here.