A program of La Familia Simón Foundation · 501(c)(3)
A program of La Familia Simón Foundation · 501(c)(3)
● Pending formal determination — not yet DOJ/EOIR recognized
Our path toward DOJ/EOIR Recognition and Accreditation, and a clear line between what we do today and what requires formal federal authorization.
Under 8 CFR Part 1292, the U.S. Department of Justice's Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) operates a Recognition & Accreditation Program that allows qualified nonprofit organizations to be formally "recognized," and specific staff or volunteers within them to become "accredited," to provide limited immigration legal services and, in some cases, representation before EOIR and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — without requiring a licensed attorney for every matter.
Recognition exists because licensed immigration attorneys are scarce relative to the need, particularly in underserved and rural communities. It allows trained, vetted nonprofit staff to close part of that gap under direct federal oversight, while preserving strict standards of competence and ethics.
The Foundation has submitted materials related to DOJ/EOIR Recognition and Accreditation and is committed to meeting every requirement of the program, including organizational eligibility, staff training, supervision structures, and ongoing compliance reporting. We view this process as a multi-year commitment to institutional credibility, not a one-time filing.
Recognition and accreditation would not change our community-based approach — it would formally authorize specific, limited legal services that today are referred out to our attorney network. Until that authorization is granted, our program continues to operate strictly within the boundaries described below.
Until the Foundation's recognition and any individual's accreditation are formally approved by EOIR, all legal advice and representation needs are referred to licensed immigration attorneys through our referral network, as described in Attorney Network Standards & Coordination. We will not offer accredited-representative-level services in advance of approval, under any circumstance.
In preparation for and following any recognition, the Foundation is committed to continuing education for staff and volunteers, clear supervisory structures, adherence to EOIR's rules of professional conduct for accredited representatives, and regular internal accountability reviews — the same standards expected of any organization entrusted with this responsibility.
Not yet. Materials related to Recognition and Accreditation have been submitted. Any DOJ/EOIR-authorized services will begin only after formal approval is granted.
No. Until recognition and accreditation are approved, legal advice and representation needs are referred to licensed attorneys in our network. See Attorney Network Standards & Coordination.
Both may provide legal advice and, within defined limits, representation. An accredited representative is a non-attorney authorized by EOIR to do so on behalf of a DOJ-recognized organization; an attorney is licensed by a state bar. Neither role currently applies to Foundation staff pending approval.
La Familia Simón Foundation is not currently DOJ/EOIR recognized. Nothing on this page constitutes legal advice or a representation that DOJ/EOIR-authorized services are presently available. See Our Legal Services Program and Client Rights for how services operate today.