Legal Aid offers 30-minute consultations with an immigration attorney for international, undocumented, and immigrant students. These consultations are with a specialized immigration attorney who is familiar with student-related issues. Before you request an appointment at the bottom of this page, please review the following details about this service.
General Information
- No additional charge: This service is available at no additional charge to students who paid their student fees. Legal Aid services are funded by Student Fees.
- 30-minutes: The attorney will provide you with information and guidance to help you resolve your concerns; however, the attorney will not "represent" you. While this brief consultation is sufficient for some students, complex issues may require more time. Upon request, we will provide referrals to other resources.
- Consultations take place via phone or Zoom: If you request a Zoom appointment, the attorney will send you the link a few minutes before your scheduled time.
- Confidentiality: Legal Aid is a confidential resource at UMCP. Additionally, your discussions with our attorney and staff are protected by attorney/client privilege. We will not discuss your case with your parents, friends, spouses, or the University of Maryland without your written consent.
- Eligibility: Please note that this service is for currently registered University of Maryland, College Park students ONLY.
- Appointment Request Form: If you are seeking advice regarding an immigration-related issue, please click on the red box at the bottom of the page.
- Referrals: Contact our office via email at glao@umd.edu for an immigration attorney referral list.
Policies for Immigration Consultations
Appointments: Students are eligible for one immigration consultation per academic year (July 1 – June 30). Requests for additional appointments will be considered and may be granted based on need and availability. During times of high demand, appointment availability may be limited and wait times of several weeks may occur. We do our best to accommodate all requests as quickly as possible.
Meet with ISSS: It is our policy to advise F-1 and J-1 visa holders who are sponsored by the University of Maryland to meet with UMD’s International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) prior to meeting with the immigration attorney. It is critical that students meet with ISSS regarding the subject of their case/concern in order to determine the potential impacts on their student visa status. ISSS is the University’s representative and is in the best position to provide students with information to protect their current visa status as a student at the University. To schedule a meeting with ISSS please visit their website.
Disclaimer: The immigration attorney is not an employee of the University of Maryland and provides a service for legal advice and counsel only. Said information and services are limited to the meeting. Every effort will be made to ensure the accuracy of the information given and to clearly explain your options; however, please understand that an appointment does not constitute legal representation.
New Rules for the National Interest Waivers Program
A National Interest Waiver is an exemption from the labor certification process and job offer requirement for advanced degree/exceptional ability workers applying for an EB-2 Visa for immigration into the United States. Click on the following links for information shared at the GRadulting Workshop held in March 2022. Recording || Slides
Attention Immigrant & Undocumented Terps
Grad Legal Aid values and supports equal opportunity, inclusion, accessibility, and diversity for all students. Our office welcomes all students regardless of their citizenship status.
Students seeking help with completing DACA renewal forms can view this instructional video. While the video IS NOT up to date as far as the law; however, the presentation is helpful for those renewing DACA. After the presentation USCIS was enjoined from accepting new applications.
Need other Resources or Information?
Anyone is welcome to use our Resources directory, that contains a section on immigration as well as other issues.