Noticiero Movil

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How to Avoid Scams that Can Impact Your Immigration Status

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A nationwide crackdown on immigration has raised fears about mass deportation among undocumented folks and their families. 

Among those fears, advocates worry that many people may fall prey to scams, causing them to lose their money, and as a result, may actually be in greater danger of deportation. According to the Fresno Bee, “heightened fears of mass deportations can make undocumented immigrants and their families … vulnerable to unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of their situation.”

As enforcement intensifies, scammers exploit people by offering fraudulent legal services, false immigration assistance, and sham promises of residency or citizenship.

Common Immigration Scams

  1. Notario Fraud – In many Latin American countries, a notario publico is equivalent to a qualified attorney who can provide legal services. However, in the U.S., a notary is a state-appointed official, which makes them not licensed to provide immigration services. Be cautious of individuals claiming to be “notarios.”
  2. Fake Lawyers – Some scammers pretend to be immigration attorneys without proper accreditation. Always verify credentials with the Nevada State Bar or the American Lawyers Association.
  3. Guaranteed Green Cards or Citizenship—No one can promise a green card or citizenship. Such claims are red flags. The process for obtaining a green card takes about one to 10 years, and for citizenship, it takes 18-24 months (you must have been a green card holder or a permanent resident for at least 5 years first to qualify).
  4. Impersonation Scams – Fraudsters posing as government officials, demanding payments or personal information. Always verify communications directly with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
  5. Asylum and Visa Scams – Be wary of agencies that charge large upfront fees for expedited visas or asylum applications without documentation. Examples of these documents include a printed copy of an appointment letter, the nonimmigrant visa DS-160 form, the application for employment authorization I-765 form, or the application for asylum and withholding of removal I-589 form.

Protecting Yourself

  • Use Official Websites – Get accurate immigration information from https://www.uscis.gov/.
  • Verify Credentials – Check legal representatives through the Nevada State Bar (https://www.nvbar.org/) or the American Immigration Lawyers Association (https://www.aila.org/).
  • Avoid Cash Payments – Scammers will often demand cash. Request receipts and written agreements.
  • Beware of Pressure Tactics – Scammers will create urgency to force quick decisions through aggressive manipulation tactics that exploit the deepest human vulnerabilities and force an impulsive decision. Do not make a rushed decision; always run these problems past a friend or family member for a sanity check and verify these communications with the agencies they are posing as. 

Legal Resources 

Reporting Scams

If you suspect an immigration scam, report it to: