On July 8, the Federal Trade Commission issued a warning regarding a new twist in immigration scams. Until recently, immigration scams had been advertised in store windows and newspapers. Now, immigration services are being offered by notarios, those professing to be knowledgeable in immigration law, in federal detention facilities. Joel Cruz-Esparza of the New Mexico Attorney General’s office called those receiving offers of assistance a “captive audience.”
According to Cruz-Esparza, “These folks are down on their luck, and the last thing they need is for a fast talking con artist to make them a bunch of bogus promises and take their last dollar.” In an effort to educate the immigrants, the Federal Trade Commission is offering free information in other languages to anyone who can help let others know about this issue.
Colombo Hurd Law, immigration attorneys in Florida, provide guidance on this type of scam on their website.
Such representations can include false statements that the individual is an attorney, is authorized to appear before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”) or before immigration courts to represent immigrants, or is a notario publico (notary public).
A notario publico in other countries may be someone who has some form of law degree or license. The American Bar Association calls this designation “particularly problematic” because in the United States a notary public is only authorized to witness signatures and those not aware of the difference can easily be deceived by con artists who make false claims.
In the warning issued by the FTC, Tom Carter, Attorney for the Southwest Region of the FTC said, “We want to bring cases against them and shut them down. And so do the Attorneys General. And US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). And the Department of Justice. We talk to each other and share consumer complaints, so let us know when you see this kind of behavior.”
