Word of Hope Inc. is recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice
Word of Hope is a nonprofit organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Justice and authorized to
provide immigration legal services through a DOJ-accredited representative. This designation allows us to
assist eligible individuals with immigration matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
while maintaining professional standards, oversight, and accountability. Because relatively few organizations
hold this designation, DOJ Recognition and Accreditation helps expand access to qualified, affordable
immigration legal services in communities that might otherwise have limited options.
Word of Hope exists to build the Kingdom of God through direct immigration legal services and the equipping of local churches to meet the needs of migrants in their congregations and communities.
The Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program authorizes qualified nonprofit organizations to provide certain immigration legal services through trained and accredited representatives.
This designation allows organizations like Word of Hope to assist eligible individuals with immigration matters before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) while operating under professional standards, oversight, and accountability.
A DOJ Accredited Representative is an individual who has received authorization through the Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services on behalf of a DOJ Recognized Organization.
Accredited Representatives receive specialized immigration law training and continuing education requirements similar to other professional fields.
Immigration law is complex and constantly changing. Individuals often seek assistance from family members, friends, document preparers, or other community members who may not fully understand immigration law.
DOJ Recognition and Accreditation helps ensure that immigrants have access to qualified, authorized, and accountable legal assistance.
In many Latin American countries, a “notario” is a trained legal professional. In the United States, however, a notary public is not authorized to provide immigration legal advice unless they possess additional legal credentials.
Some individuals falsely present themselves as immigration experts, charge significant fees, make unrealistic promises, or file improper applications. This is commonly referred to as “notario fraud.”
Such actions can result in delayed cases, denials, loss of money, or serious immigration consequences.