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202.635.2556
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2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
(202) 635-5810
NOTE: This webpage
was launched in July
2008 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
was launched in July
2008 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
TOOLKIT FOR BIA RECOGNITION & ACCREDITATION
CITIZENSHIP
CLINIC RESOURCES
GENERAL INFORMATION
ADVOCACY
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ELDERS
CHILDREN
FEE WAIVERS
THE CITIZENSHIP TEST
NATURALIZATION WORKSHOPS
BIA ACCREDITATION
OTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
CIVIC
PARTICIPATION
REPORTS, GUIDES & ARTICLES
CONTACTS
C i t i z e n s h i p
Laura Burdick
CLINIC
Office Tel: 202-635-5820
Fax: 202-635-2649
C i v i c P a r t i c i p a t i o n
Hilary Binder-Aviles
Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit
Development and Pluralism
Office Tel: 202-887-0620 x 103
Fax: (202) 887-0812
CLINIC RESOURCES
GENERAL INFORMATION
ADVOCACY
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
ELDERS
CHILDREN
FEE WAIVERS
THE CITIZENSHIP TEST
NATURALIZATION WORKSHOPS
BIA ACCREDITATION
OTHER RESOURCES
LINKS
CIVIC
PARTICIPATION
REPORTS, GUIDES & ARTICLES
CONTACTS
C i t i z e n s h i p
Laura Burdick
CLINIC
Office Tel: 202-635-5820
Fax: 202-635-2649
C i v i c P a r t i c i p a t i o n
Hilary Binder-Aviles
Mosaica: The Center for Nonprofit
Development and Pluralism
Office Tel: 202-887-0620 x 103
Fax: (202) 887-0812
INTRODUCTION
Does your nonprofit agency want to develop a legal
immigration program, but lack attorneys on staff or the
money to hire them?
Does your nonprofit agency want to continue providing legal
immigration services, but avoid engaging in the
unauthorized practice of law?
Does your nonprofit agency have immigration attorneys on
staff, but want to expand its capacity by getting authorization
for non-attorney staff to practice immigration law?
In these situations, your agency needs to seek recognition
for itself and accreditation for its non-attorney staff from the
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). BIA recognition and
accreditation is the Department of Justice’s certification of
charitable immigration agencies and staff, and allows non-
attorney staff to practice immigration law before the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the
immigration courts.
The rules governing recognition and accreditation can be
found at 8 CFR Section 292.2.
However, the regulations are brief and do not addresses
some of the challenges in compiling the BIA recognition and
accreditation application.
This toolkit is designed to educate agencies on the need for
BIA recognition and accreditation and to assist them in the
application process. It is divided into four sections:
• Section One provides background information about the
importance of BIA recognition and accreditation.
• Section Two takes you through the steps needed to
prepare for and compile the application.
• Section Three provides guidelines on the professional
code of conduct for BIA accredited
representatives and information on how to protect your
agency from liability.
• Section Four focuses on the widespread problem of
immigration fraud and provides resources for educating
the immigrant community.
CLINIC welcomes your feedback on this toolkit, including
suggestions for additional materials to include. If you have
any feedback or questions, please contact Laura Burdick at
lburdick@cliniclegal.org.
immigration program, but lack attorneys on staff or the
money to hire them?
Does your nonprofit agency want to continue providing legal
immigration services, but avoid engaging in the
unauthorized practice of law?
Does your nonprofit agency have immigration attorneys on
staff, but want to expand its capacity by getting authorization
for non-attorney staff to practice immigration law?
In these situations, your agency needs to seek recognition
for itself and accreditation for its non-attorney staff from the
Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). BIA recognition and
accreditation is the Department of Justice’s certification of
charitable immigration agencies and staff, and allows non-
attorney staff to practice immigration law before the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the
immigration courts.
The rules governing recognition and accreditation can be
found at 8 CFR Section 292.2.
However, the regulations are brief and do not addresses
some of the challenges in compiling the BIA recognition and
accreditation application.
This toolkit is designed to educate agencies on the need for
BIA recognition and accreditation and to assist them in the
application process. It is divided into four sections:
• Section One provides background information about the
importance of BIA recognition and accreditation.
• Section Two takes you through the steps needed to
prepare for and compile the application.
• Section Three provides guidelines on the professional
code of conduct for BIA accredited
representatives and information on how to protect your
agency from liability.
• Section Four focuses on the widespread problem of
immigration fraud and provides resources for educating
the immigrant community.
CLINIC welcomes your feedback on this toolkit, including
suggestions for additional materials to include. If you have
any feedback or questions, please contact Laura Burdick at
lburdick@cliniclegal.org.
1. General Information
BIA Chapter from CLINIC Manual, Managing an Immigration Program
BIA Powerpoint Presentation from CLINIC
BIA Powerpoint Presentation from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR)
2. Preparation: Setting an Action Plan, Acquiring Essential Training, and Compiling
the Application
Step-by-Step Guide for BIA Recognition and Accreditation from World Relief and CLINIC
Individualized BIA Action Plan
CLINIC Training Calendar
Training Calendar for Immigration Advocates Network
Immigration Law Library Resources
Sample Application for BIA Agency Recognition
Sample Application for BIA Staff Accreditation
3. After Your BIA Application is Approved
Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Representative
Model Code of Professional Responsibility for BIA Accredited Representatives
Information on Professional Liability Insurance
Prohibition Against Providing Legal Services Outside the Office &
Expectations of Employees
Applying for Renewal of Agency Staff/Volunteer Accreditation: See Section V, page 15 of
Step-by-Step Guide
4. Immigrant Community Education Materials
How to Tell if an Agency is BIA Recognized by Alphabetical and State and City Listing
EOIR List of Currently Disciplined Practitioners
Outreach Flyer: Who Can Help With Immigration Matters? Information to Protect Yourself
From Immigration Fraud
Outreach Flyer: Protect Yourself From Immigration Consultant Fraud
Immigration Consultant Fraud: Basic Information & What You Can Do if You Are a Victim of
Fraud
Filing Complaints against Notarios and Immigration Consultants (includes state-by-state
contact information for consumer protection issues).
Information about ABA's Campaign to Protect Immigrants From Notario Fraud
USCIS Information on Finding Legal Advice