Filing Complaints Against Notarios and Immigration Consultants
This list is intended as a resource tool and starting point for staff of immigration legal service organizations to identify and contact state Attorneys General offices throughout the United States for purposes of obtaining information on how and where to file a complaint in each state against immigration consultants. For convenience, the term immigration consultant includes notarios, travel agents, and any other person or agency that engages in the unauthorized practice of law (UPL) with respect to providing immigration services. This is not a “how to” guide on filing consumer complaints against immigration consultants. Each state will have its own process for filing consumer complaints against immigration consultants. This list is not legal advice.
Immigration Consultant Fraud: Basic Information & What You Can Do if You Are a Victim
In general, “immigration consultants” and “immigration assistance service providers” are non-attorneys who provide limited non-legal assistance to immigrants. For example, they translate materials; secure supporting documents; prepare or arrange for photographs, fingerprints and medical tests; conduct English language and civics courses; fill out forms a client selects with the information he/she tells them; and, refer clients to an attorney without obtaining a fee for doing so. These individuals are not lawyers, may not give legal advice or provide legal services, and do not necessarily have any special immigration training.
Protect Yourself From Immigration Consultant Fraud
Beware ... there are a lot of people that would like to cheat and trick you out of your hard earned money. They could jeopardize your application with immigration authorities. So if you hire an immigration consultant or immigration assistance service provider, you need to take these important precautions to protect yourself from immigration fraud.