Immigration scammers act in New York: how to recognize them

In the past few weeks, the office of the Attorney General Schneiderman has received many reports of immigration fraud. Given the heightened anxiety prevailing in immigrant communities about the political climate in the country, the New York State Attorney General’s office warns of possible immigration frauds.

Eric Schneiderman asks immigrants to be vigilant, since there are fraudsters in New York State who offer immigration services. Such frauds occur in large communities and involve individuals and companies that find unprotected immigrants and offer them illegal and fraudulent immigration services. Over the past few weeks, the State Attorney General’s office and legal organizations working with immigrant communities have received more reports of such fraud than usual.

“In the last weeks of 2, fear and ambiguity have reigned in immigrant communities. New York will not allow immigrants and their families to profit and deceive on this fear, says Prosecutor General Schneiderman. “We use all the tools we have to hold accountable those who commit fraud against our immigrant communities.”

Significantly increased the number of calls to immigration organizations, including regarding possible cases of fraud. Since election day, the North Manhattan Immigrant Rights Coalition has received more calls on 266% and more visits on 250% than before November November 8. More 100 calls sounded in the coalition office only on one day, November 10.

One of the most common types of fraud now is unwanted calls from immigration immigration officials. For example, one New York immigrant was recently called from a supposedly official immigration organization. The fraudster told the man that he was staying in the country illegally and must immediately pay $ 1 550. Federal authorities do not require immediate payments, do not ask for personal information, and do not threaten people by phone. If you get a call with such requirements, immediately hang up and report the violation to the Attorney General’s office.

For immigration complaints, contact the Attorney General’s Immigration Fraud Hotline at: (866) 390-2992 or by email: [email protected]. The Office of the Prosecutor General does not ask about the immigration status of the applicants and does not transmit information about them to the federal authorities.

Prosecutor Schneiderman also reminded him of where to turn to New York immigrants for help on immigration and naturalization. Works free multilanguage hotline New americans from Catholic Charities Community Services. You can get advice on immigration and naturalization, regardless of citizenship and status in the United States. All calls to this line are confidential and anonymous. Hotline telephone number: 1-800-566-7636 (free) from 9: 00 to 20: 00 from Monday to Friday.

Schneiderman also informs New Yorkers about the most common forms of fraud:

Unwanted calls from impostors. This is one of the most popular forms of fraud. The caller is represented by a government official or a police officer and is threatened with deportation. Very often, the call number looks like a government phone number. Government immigration organizations never require payment in telephone conversations, so if they ask you for personal information, demand money and threaten to be deported, they are fraudsters.

Notary scammers ('notary'). In many Latin American countries, a notario is a person authorized to provide legal services. Unscrupulous “notaries” who are not lawyers often rely on the fact that people do not know the difference between them. They charge huge bills to immigrants, but they don’t file applications with immigration authorities, or they can contribute to deportation by filing applications on behalf of the immigrant that he did not ask for.

Misunderstanding of legal authority. Some individuals may falsely claim that they are lawyers and may represent a client in the courts and immigration authorities. They benefit from immigrants who pay prohibitive fees for their services. Not understanding what legal powers these people have, one can become a victim of such fraudsters. For example, an immigrant can listen to advice from such a person and waive the right to obtain legal status in the United States, be deported, or become a subject of civil or criminal responsibility for filing false statements.

Fraudulent promises to speed up the process. This type of fraud concerns individuals who claim to be familiar with immigration officers and can help speed up the application process from their clients. They require a lot of money for this special service, but they never provide it.

Providing unreliable information. Those who commit such fraud, as a rule, provide the immigrant with inaccurate or false information about his or her right to change status under a specific law. In such cases, immigrants, as a rule, do not suspect that they have fooled a scammer until they receive a letter from the immigrant service stating that they do not pass by such criteria. Anyone who applies on behalf of an immigrant knows that it will, but is ignorant of his victim.

Fraud on the basis of social similarity. Some scammers seek immigrants who belong to the same ethnic or racial group as they are. Accordingly, they are trying to get customers among immigrants, claiming that they belong to the same group and are well aware of the needs of their potential customers.

Legal practice without permission. Some individuals may be represented by lawyers or immigrant law experts without a license.

Attorney General Schneiderman gives the following advice on how not to become a victim of fraudsters:

• Cooperate only with a licensed lawyer.
• Never sign forms or documents you do not understand.
• Do not make payments by phone or e-mail.

For more information, visit the New York State Attorney General’s website: “Know Your Rights: Immigration Services Frauds" and "Do not become a victim of immigration deception". All licensed lawyers are registered with the New York State Court. To check a lawyer follow this link.

See also:

Getting a green card: step by step instructions

How to move to the United States: the option of work or investment

The categories of persons who receive the green card the longest

Which of the relatives can be transported to the US by a green card holder

How has immigration changed in America over 200 years

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