Skip to main content

Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

Legal Resources

  • For Everyone

Cornell University cannot provide personal legal advice, but we recognize that international students, scholars, and other community members may have legal concerns related to immigration and other matters. Below you'll find legal resources to support you. While we do not directly endorse any of these options, they may be helpful for those seeking guidance.

Find an Immigration Attorney

These national lists are a good place to begin your search:

Find Local Legal Resources

Ithaca Tenants Resources

Contact: tenantslegalhotline@gmail.com | (607) 301-1560
Services: Legal advice for renters and tenants, including limited-scope representation. 
Eligibility: No income or geographic restrictions for advice. Full representation is available only to City of Ithaca residents.  

Journey’s End Refugee Services

Contact: immigration@jersbuffalo.org | Ithaca: (716) 364-8386; Binghamton: (607) 235-3203 or (716) 364-8386
Services: Immigration legal assistance, including citizenship services, family reunification, work authorization, immigration court representation, and others. Works with CCTT, which refers more complex cases to Journey’s End.
Eligibility: Free services for individuals below 150% of the poverty level. Serves Tompkins County and multiple counties across New York State. Offices located in Buffalo, Rochester, Ithaca, and Binghamton.

LawNY

Contact: (315) 781-1465
Services: Legal assistance, including eviction defense for tenants and renters.
Eligibility: Available to income-eligible students.

Path2Papers

Contact: Consultation Request
Services: Provides free legal consultations to DACA recipients with a focus on employment-based options. 
Eligibility: Only for members of the Cornell community and those in the California Bay Area.

Next Up: Maintaining Your Status