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