Local Legal Resources
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 is a list of local legal resources that offer support. While we do not directly endorse any of these options, they may be helpful for those seeking guidance.
Resources compiled by Cornell Law's Immigration Law & Advocacy Clinic.
Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga (CCTT)
Contact: sue.chaffee@dor.org | (607) 272-5062 x11
Services: Immigration legal assistance, including DACA, citizenship, green cards, work permits, TPS initial requests and renewals, and removal of green card conditions. CCTT also arranges free legal consultations with an immigration attorney.
Eligibility: Available to Cornell students. A nominal fee applies for most services, but fee waivers are available for those facing financial hardship.
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.
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.
LawNY
Contact: (315) 781-1465
Services: Legal assistance, including eviction defense for tenants and renters.
Eligibility: Available to income-eligible students.
Miller Mayer LLC
Contact: Immigration Consultation | (607) 273-4200 x324
Services: Immigration legal support, including employment-based cases and family petitions.
Eligibility: Initial consultation fee is $300.
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.
