The Israel Religious Action Center opened the first Legal Aid Center for Olim (Immigrants) in 1992, with the recognition that many new immigrants from the Former Soviet Union and Ethiopia do not have the necessary tools for handling the problems they face during their absorption process. Since then, LACO has successfully helped over 75,000 new immigrants resolve difficult legal problems that confront them in their new country.   LACO is the only program in Israel that provides free, comprehensive legal and counseling services for new immigrants. LACO utilizes both field workers and attorneys to work with new immigrants; in order to serve the Ethiopian community and immigrants from the former Soviet Union effectively, LACO employs Amharic speaking and Russian speaking field workers. The field workers travel to different neighborhoods, absorption centers, and ulpanim to lead workshops for new immigrants that offer advice and empowerment for succeeding in Israel.

LACO also assists converts in having their Jewish status recognized by the State of Israel.  Though IRAC has won recognition for Reform and Conservartive conversions, many olim still have difficulties with the Ministry of Interior when seeking citizenship or Jewish status recognition for themselves, their spouses, and their children. Some government-sanctioned rabbis actually refuse to provide services, such as marriage, to Ethiopian and Russian olim without an Orthodox "conversion." Poor documentation in an immigrant’s country of origin, complex family situations such as remarriage or adoption, and the general inefficiency of governmental bureaucracy can create problems with the Ministry of Interior. LACO is an expert in helping protect the rights of new immigrants and their families.