NotarioNoticeNational072209

July 22, 2009

Do Not Be a Victim of Immigration Fraud

“Notarios,” Visa Consultants, and Immigration Consultants Are NOT Attorneys ––
They CANNOT Represent You in Immigration Court

If you need help with your immigration case, watch out for persons who pretend to be immigration attorneys or accredited representatives. They can take your money, involve you in immigration fraud, and get you deported or arrested. To protect yourself from immigration fraud, the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) wants you to know:

Only licensed attorneys, “accredited representatives,” and other qualified representatives can represent you in immigration court, can provide legal services, and can give legal advice.

EOIR’s Immigration Court Practice Manual, Chapter 2, explains who can represent you. You can ask to see the manual at the immigration court’s filing window, or find it on the Internet at www.usdoj.gov/eoir.

“Notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants cannot represent you in immigration court, cannot provide legal services, and cannot give legal advice.

Be careful!

DO NOT sign applications or other papers that are blank.

DO NOT sign applications or other papers that you do not understand.

DO NOT sign applications or other papers that have false information.
DO NOT pay money without getting a receipt, and be careful when people ask you to pay a lot of money for immigration help.
DO get copies of all applications or other papers prepared or filed for you.
DO check that an attorney or “accredited representative” can represent you in immigration court. (See Immigration Court Practice Manual, Chapter 2.)
DO report complaints about “notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants to your state Bar Association and/or your state Office of Attorney General.

–– EOIR ––

Contact:	Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
	(703) 305-0289 Fax: (703) 605-0365
Internet:	www.usdoj.gov/eoir