Immigration scams are expensive and harmful to the success of your case. Unfortunately, many factors make immigrants a frequent target for scammers. If you or someone you know is anxious about the immigration process, unsure if they qualify for a “green card” or Naturalization, and unfamiliar with how the U.S. government works, there are resources to help. ILAP is the best resource and they offer free interpretation for their immigration services. There are scammers who target immigrants at all steps of the immigration process, and having a lawyer or the team from ILAP on your case can help you to avoid common scams.
We sat down with Julia Brown, Advocacy and Outreach Director from ILAP to ask some of the most common immigration scam related questions. Check out her advice here:
1. Is it okay to use a Notary instead of an immigration attorney?
No. You should only pay an attorney or accredited representative to help you with your immigration applications. Someone who is not an attorney or accredited representative cannot offer legal advice. Work performed by notary publics (sometimes called "notarios") has resulted in filing incorrect forms, missed deadlines, or even false claims. This could result in the loss of a case, deportation. civil fines, or criminal charges for filing false claims.
2. How can I tell if an imposter is posing as the government?
The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) offers great advice.
"You might get a call or an official-looking letter that has your correct name, address, and Social Security number. There’s no legitimate reason for someone to ask you to wire money. If you’re unsure whether the threat is legitimate, look up the official number for the government agency, office or employee (yes, even judges) and call to get the real story. Even if you do owe money, you have rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Variations on these scams include people claiming to be with the IRS collecting back taxes, or scammers posing as representatives of the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) who target immigration applicants and petitioners."
3. Where could I report a scam if I think I have been a victim?
The team at OEO is happy to help connect the dots if you think you have been scammed. You can report scams to the Maine Attorney General: https://www.maine.gov/ag/consumer/complaints/index.shtml or with the FTC: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/
4. Is it okay to not disclose everything to my attorney?
Any information that you discuss with your attorney is confidential. Immigration cases are complex, and your attorney needs to know all the facts to do their job. You should give your attorney as much information as possible so they can strategize correctly and avoid any surprises later.
5. Can I copy/paste any information from my friend's immigration paperwork?
You should only write information in your immigration application that is true. Never sign a blank form, a form with incorrect or false information, or a document that you do not understand.
If you or someone you know has seen an immigration scam or been the victim of one, it's important to report it! If you have any doubts about whether someone claiming to be from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an imposter, you should contact USCIS customer service at 800-375-5283.