Individuals seeking immigration benefits are deceived by people pretending to be “immigration experts.” This is against the law.
Common scams include:
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Falsely posing as a lawyer or BIA-accredited representative and charging customers for legal “advice” on immigration matters
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Charging for free services such as USCIS forms and InfoPass appointments or charging exorbitant amounts for assistance with immigration services
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Falsely acting as a representative of the U.S. government and charging for a green card, employment authorization, temporary protected status or some other immigration benefit
Other people may offer to help you complete your forms and may have good intentions, but are not qualified to provide legal advice on immigration law or your immigration options.
In partnership with several other agencies, USCIS is launching a public education initiative to combat the unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL).
Efforts will include public outreach events throughout the country to raise awareness and give individuals the tools they need to make wise choices when seeking immigration advice. USCIS has also worked with partners in the federal government such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice to combat this pervasive problem.
The central message of USCIS’s public education efforts is: “The Wrong Help Can Hurt – Beware of Immigration Scams.”