Tag Archives: immigration scam

Beware of immigration scams!

Beware of notarios and scammers trying to take advantage of President Obama’s recent executive actions on immigration.

AILA National revamped its print Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that AILA members and the public can use to warn consumers about immigration scams.

The PSA is available in English and Spanish.

Only a licensed lawyer or accredited representative is authorized and qualified to help you with your immigration case. Unlike consultants,  immigration lawyers are licensed to represent clients.

Accredited representatives (who are not licensed lawyers but may provide limited assistance in immigration matters) must work for a Recognized Organization and be authorized by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).  Recognized organizations that appear on this list may help with immigration matters. These organizations must either provide their services for free, or must only charge a nominal (small) fee for their services.

Notarios are neither lawyers nor accredited representatives. They often use the term “notario publico” in the Hispanic community. That title is not recognized in the United States as it is in some Latin American countries.

It is against the law for notarios to give you immigration advice. Even preparing immigration forms or green card applications is something that only a licensed immigration lawyer or accredited representative should do.

Lawyers from another country who are not licensed in the United States also are not authorized to provide immigration services within the United States.

In some cases, a law student participating in a law school clinic or legal aid program or through a non-profit organization may represent a person as described by regulation.

For more information, go to Stop Notario Fraud.

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Photo by: Richard Artschwager at Wadsworth Atheneum