Unfortunately, there are many immigration scams that take advantage of people who want to move to the United States. There are ads, websites and telephone calls with false advertisements and #FakeNews about moving to America, or promises to find you a job. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advises:
Don’t become a victim of immigration scams! If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure the person helping you is authorized to give legal advice. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Department of Justice (DOJ) recognized organization can give you legal advice.
USCIS has an on-going program to bring attention to and report green card and immigration fraud.
The Fight Notario Fraud project is dedicated to “putting an end to immigration consulting fraud. Individuals who represent themselves as qualified to offer legal advice or services concerning immigration or other matters of law, who have no such qualification, routinely victimize members of immigration communities. Such representations can include false statements that”
• The individual is an attorney, or abogado;
• The individual is authorized to represent immigrants before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”), or before immigration courts;
• The individual is qualified to assist in preparing a will, corporate document or other legal paperwork;
• The individual is a legal assistant;
• The individual has a court license; or
• The individual is a notario publico. “
The National Immigrant Justice Center has guidelines to prevent being cheated by an immigration scam:
• Only go to an attorney or accredited representative if you have immigration questions
• Lawyers must have a license to practice law – ask to see their law license
• Accredited representatives have to be accredited and work for an agency recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals – ask to see their accreditation documents
• Never sign an application with false information
• Never sign a blank form
• Ask for copies of everything you sign
• Get a second opinion before filing any immigration application, especially if the advice sounds too good to be true
The attorneys at Chicago’s Godoy Law Office fight for immigrant rights and help immigrants navigate the complex and numerous immigration policies, procedures, and regulations. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office at 855-554-6369.
