Stay away from fake immigrant consultants
By Albert Smith | Sun, 08/02/2009 - 23:11
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Mexican Consulate in Omaha are warning potential immigrants to avoid immigration fraud.
Watch out for people who pretend to be immigration attorneys or accredited representatives. "Notarios", Visa Consultants, and Immigration Consultants are not attorneys and cannot represent you in Immigration Court.
In many cases these people can take your money, involve you in immigration fraud, and get you deported.
To protect from fraud the Justice Department and Consulate recommend potential immigrants look for only licensed attorneys, "accredited representatives", or other qualified representatives. Only they can legally represent someone in court, provide legal services or legal advice.
More advice:
* DO NOT sign papers or applications that are blank.
* DO NOT sign papers or applications you do not understand.
* DO NOT sign papers or applications that have false information.
* DO NOT pay money without getting a receipt.
* Be careful of people who ask for lots of money to provide immigration help.
* DO get copies of all papers or applications filed for you.
* DO check that an attorney or "accredited representative" can represent you in immigration court.
* DO report complaints about "notarios", visa consultants and immigration consultants to your state Bar Association and possibly to the state Office of Attorney General.
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