MANY optimists believe this could be the week when Congress would finally be able to present a comprehensive immigration reform bill.
Talks of a bipartisan support on creating a pathway to citizenship in this plan have made many undocumentedkababayans exhaust all possible means to benefit from the new immigration laws.
While to be proactive is a good thing, many undocumented immigrants become easy prey to frauds and scams.
Let me share with you these warnings from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) so you won’t be duped by sweet-talking vultures.
First of all, be careful who you get immigration advice and services from.
As we reported on The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast, Balitang America, USCIS says getting assistance from unauthorized practitioners can:
– Delay your application
– Cost unnecessary fees
– And possibly lead to deportation.
Notario Publico
In the Philippines, one has to be a licensed attorney to become a “Notary Public.” That is not the case here in America.
Notary publics are people appointed by state governments to witness the signing of important documents and administer oaths. They are NOT authorized to provide any legal services related to immigration.
Balitang America reported on fraud committed by some Notario Publico, who victimized many immigrants, including many Filipinos.
As Balitang America New York Correspondent Don Tagala reported, National Chair for Consumer Protection and Unauthorized Practice of Law, Atty. Maricar Madrid-Crost, warned about notarios who tell their immigrant clients that they can offer legal representation when they are not licensed to do so.
Attorney Maricar Madrid-Crost stressed that it is illegal to falsely state or imply that one is a licensed attorney, or to falsely act as one.
“The problem is notarios may file an application for you, which is not warranted and then you end up in removal proceedings,” Madrid-Crost told Tagala. “Not only do you pay unnecessarily, you may also get deported.”
With about 11 million undocumented immigrants in the US, Madrid-Crost cites that these fraudulent notarios prey on unsuspecting individuals who want to legalize their status.
“It’s amazing, the problem is very big,” Madrid-Crost said, “It’s all over the place, it’s not done only in the apartments or in the store fronts, it’s already perpetrated in the internet, and it can be done also abroad.”
Madrid-Crost added that since fraudulent notarios are not recognized by the Board of Immigration Appeals, chances are they could provide bad legal advice to some clients.
“The best way to know if the person is authorized to represent you is by asking: are you licensed as an attorney in the United States? Or do you have certification from the Board of Immigration Appeals? Those two things,” Madrid-Crost advised.
Victims of notario fraud can visit http://www.stopnotariofraud.org/ to file complaints and for more information.
‘Guaranteed’ green cards
USCIS warned that NO business can ever guarantee legal status here in the United States. These companies can charge you high fees or claim they can process your documents faster. This should already be a red flag for ourkababayans.
Immigration help websites
All immigration forms are free from their official website. Do not pay for blank USCIS forms either in person or over the internet.
Visa lottery
It is true that the department of state gives out 50,000 diversity visas through a lottery.
But emails and websites that claim they can help you apply or have and edge on the selection are fraudulent. The only way to apply for the lottery is through an official government application process.
Also, the Philippines is not a priority in this “visa by lottery” because there are already too many Filipino immigrants in the United States. Stay away from scams promising to help you get your visa via lottery.
INS or USCIS?
Some local businesses, websites and individuals use the term INS. This agency no longer exists! Anyone who still claims they can help you process your applications with the INS are frauds.
IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM of an immigration services scam and need help, you can report them to the federal trade commission at www.ftc.gov, or go directly to www.USCIS.gov for more information.
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
