What Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service Does

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is a nonprofit organization that provides services to immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. The organization does not make decisions about who enters the country — that is the role of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and other federal agencies. Instead, LIRS offers legal help, case management, housing, and other support to people navigating the immigration system.

LIRS operates in multiple states and focuses on people who have arrived in the United States or are in the process of seeking protection. The organization receives funding from government contracts, private donations, and faith-based sources. It is one of nine organizations that the federal government contracts with to resettle refugees, meaning LIRS helps newly arrived refugees find housing, employment, and community connections during their first months in the country.

The services LIRS offers vary by location and funding. Some offices provide immigration legal representation, while others focus on case management and social services. If you are looking for help with a specific immigration matter, contacting your local LIRS office directly is the fastest way to learn what they can provide in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • LIRS is a nonprofit that helps immigrants and refugees with legal services, housing, employment support, and case management, but does not decide immigration cases itself.
  • The organization is one of nine federal contractors that resettle refugees, meaning it helps newly arrived refugees transition to life in the United States.
  • Services differ by location, so contacting your local LIRS office tells you what programs are available where you live.
  • LIRS provides legal representation for some immigration matters, though availability depends on funding and your location.
  • The organization serves immigrants at different stages — refugees being resettled, asylum seekers, unaccompanied children, and others in the immigration system.

Legal Services LIRS Offers

LIRS employs immigration attorneys and accredited representatives who can represent clients in immigration court, before USCIS, and in other proceedings. The types of cases they handle include asylum claims, removal defense, family-based immigration petitions, and applications for relief from deportation. Not all LIRS offices have legal staff, and those that do may have limits on how many cases they can take based on funding.

If you need legal help, you will need to contact the LIRS office serving your area to ask whether they have attorneys available and whether they can take your case. Some offices maintain waiting lists. Legal representation through LIRS is typically free or low-cost for people who cannot afford a private attorney, though this depends on the specific program and your income.

LIRS also provides legal orientation programs, which are group sessions that explain how the immigration court system works, what to expect during a hearing, and what rights you have. These sessions are educational and do not replace individual legal representation, but they help people understand the process before they appear in court.

Refugee Resettlement and Housing

When the federal government approves a refugee for resettlement in the United States, it contracts with organizations like LIRS to help them arrive and settle. LIRS staff meet refugees at the airport or port of entry, provide initial housing, help them understand how to use public transportation and access services, and connect them with employment resources and community organizations.

The resettlement process typically covers the first 90 days after arrival, though LIRS may continue providing case management beyond that period depending on funding. During this time, LIRS helps refugees navigate tasks like opening a bank account, enrolling children in school, finding a doctor, and understanding how to pay utilities. LIRS also works with employers to place refugees in jobs and provides job coaching and language support when needed.

Housing is arranged before or shortly after arrival. LIRS staff find an apartment or house, stock it with basic furniture and supplies, and may support utilities are set up. Refugees are expected to begin paying rent as soon as they are able to work, though the initial housing is typically covered by federal resettlement funds.

Services for Asylum Seekers and Other Immigrants

LIRS also serves people who have arrived at the U.S. border or interior and are seeking asylum or other protection. These individuals may not have gone through the overseas refugee resettlement process but are in the United States and need legal help, housing, or case management. LIRS provides case management to help them understand their options, connect with legal representation, and access social services.

For unaccompanied children in the immigration system, LIRS provides case management and advocacy. The organization helps connect children with legal representation, identifies family members in the United States or abroad, and works to may support the child's safety and well-being while their immigration case is pending.

LIRS also operates programs for trafficking survivors and other vulnerable populations. These programs provide trauma-informed case management, legal services, and connections to housing and health care. The specific programs available depend on your location and the funding LIRS has received for that fiscal year.

How to Find Your Local LIRS Office

LIRS has offices in multiple states, but not every state has a location. The organization's website includes a directory where you can search by state or city to find the office nearest you. The directory shows the address, phone number, and email for each location, as well as a brief description of the services that office provides.

When you contact a LIRS office, be prepared to describe your situation — whether you are a refugee being resettled, an asylum seeker, an immigrant needing legal help, or someone seeking other services. The staff member you speak with can tell you whether LIRS can help with your specific need and what the next steps are. If your local LIRS office cannot help, they may be able to refer you to another organization in your area.

You can also reach LIRS through its national office if you are having trouble locating a local office or if you want to report a concern about services you received. The national office can direct you to the right program or location.

Cost and Funding

Most LIRS services are free or low-cost. Refugee resettlement services are funded by the federal government, so newly arrived refugees do not pay for initial housing, case management, or employment support. Legal services are typically free for people who cannot afford an attorney, though LIRS may ask about your income to determine whether you may have access to.

LIRS is a nonprofit, so it relies on government contracts, grants, and donations to fund its work. This means the programs available and the number of people LIRS can serve depend on how much funding the organization receives each year. During years when federal refugee resettlement funding is lower, LIRS may have fewer resources for other programs.

If you are unsure whether you can afford a service or whether you would have to pay, ask when you contact your local office. LIRS staff can explain what is free and what might have a cost based on your situation.

What LIRS Cannot Do

LIRS does not make decisions about immigration cases. The organization cannot tell you whether you will be approved for asylum, a visa, or any other immigration benefit. Those decisions are made by USCIS, the Department of State, immigration judges, and other federal agencies. LIRS can explain how the process works and represent you in front of these agencies, but the final decision rests with the government.

LIRS also cannot may provide a particular outcome in your case. Immigration law is complex, and the result of any case depends on the facts of your situation, the law, and the decision-maker. An attorney at LIRS can tell you what options may be available and what the chances are, but they cannot promise a specific result.

Additionally, LIRS is not a government agency and cannot process applications or petitions on your behalf. If you need to file something with USCIS or another government office, LIRS can help you prepare the documents and explain what to submit, but you or your attorney will need to file it with the government agency directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a refugee to get help from LIRS?

No. LIRS serves refugees, asylum seekers, immigrants in removal proceedings, unaccompanied children, trafficking survivors, and other immigrants. The specific services available depend on your situation and your location. Contact your local LIRS office to describe your circumstances and learn what they can provide.

How long does it take to get legal representation from LIRS?

It depends on the office and how many cases they are handling. Some offices have attorneys available quickly, while others may have a waiting list. When you contact LIRS, ask how long the wait is and whether they are currently taking new cases. If there is a long wait, ask whether they can refer you to another organization that might help sooner.

What if LIRS does not have an office in my state?

If there is no LIRS office near you, contact the national office for a referral to another organization that serves immigrants in your area. Many states have nonprofit organizations that provide immigration legal services, case management, or other support. LIRS can help point you in the right direction.

Will LIRS help me if I am undocumented?

Yes. LIRS serves people regardless of immigration status. If you are undocumented and need legal help, case management, or other services, contact your local LIRS office. They can discuss your situation and explain what options may be available to you under immigration law.

Can LIRS help me bring my family to the United States?

LIRS can provide legal representation for family-based immigration petitions and other family reunification matters, depending on the office and available funding. Contact your local LIRS office to ask whether they handle family immigration cases and whether they can take your case.