Texas RioGrande Legal Aid (TRLA) is a non-profit organization that provides free legal services to low-income residents in sixty-eight counties of Southwest Texas, and represents migrant and seasonal farm workers throughout the state of Texas and six southern states: Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas. In addition, TRLA operates public defender programs in several Southwest Texas counties, representing the poor who are accused of felonies, misdemeanors and juvenile crimes.
TRLA is the third largest legal services provider in the nation and the largest in the state of Texas.

Qualifying for Free Legal Aid
To qualify for free legal services from TRLA, an applicant must meet the income, asset, and immigration requirements established by the United States Congress, the Texas Legislature, and other funding sources. TRLA will always attempt to find a funding source that will permit representation for persons who are unable to afford the services of a private attorney.
The guidelines are complicated, but trained intake workers will be the first step of the process. Applicants will be asked various questions regarding income, assets, and citizenship/immigration status in order to see whether they are eligible.

Legal Services Provides
TRLA provides legal services for cases that range from routine family law counseling to complex litigation in state and federal courts, from the local Justice of the Peace to the United States Supreme Court. There are three dozen different practice areas in which TRLA attorneys specialize. The TRLA practice areas are categorized into groups.

Economic & Social Justice
Colonias & Real Estate
Consumer
Disaster Assistance
Economic Advocacy
Elder Law
Environmental Justice
Federal Tax Law
Guardianships
Mental Health Law
Micro-enterprises & Economic Development
Native American
Torts & Civil Litigation
Wills & Estates

Domestic Violence & Family Law
Bi-National Project on Family Violence
Domestic Violence & Family

Housing
El PASO TARGETS REAL ESTATE SCAMS
Federally Subsidized Housing
Home Foreclosures
Homeowners Threaten Suit Against San Antonio Developer
Housing Discrimination
Manufactured Homes
Private Landlord Tenant
Rights of Individuals with Disabilities
Tax Foreclosure Real Property

Individual Rights
Civil Rights
Criminal Justice
Disability Rights
Education
Foster Youth
Human Trafficking
Immigration
Juvenile Justice
LGBTQ Team
Special Education

Labor
Employment
Farm Worker
Jury Rules With Del Rio Daycare Whistleblower
Small Farmer Program

Public Benefits
Homeless
State & Public Benefits

Private Attorney Involvement
Community Justice Programs
Legal Clinics
Pro Se Divorce Clinics
Rio Grande Valley Community Justice Program
San Antonio Bar Association Community Justice Program
Social Justice Night Court

Victim's Rights
Sexual Assault Legal Assistance Network