How Can Notario Fraud Impede Immigration?
Author: Law Office of Alena Shautsova
Unfortunately, immigrants looking for an easy solution to immigration problems may fall prey to notario fraud. The American Bar Association explains that notario fraud involves individuals who fraudulently represent themselves as attorneys and say they can handle your immigration issues before the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) or in immigration courts. In Latin American countries a “notario publico” is a person who obtains a law degree and practices law. However, in the United States a notario publico, or notary public in English, does not have a law degree, does not practice law and is only authorized to verify signatures on legal documents. Spanish-speaking immigrants may not realize that the notario is not a lawyer and their lack of English skills makes them vulnerable to the fraud. In the worst-case scenarios, notarios fail to meet filing deadlines and immigrants face deportation. They often pay these non-lawyers thousands of dollars for legal help. However, instead of handling their immigration problems, they end up missing the chance to become a permanent resident or obtain legal status.
New York immigration lawyers encounter clients who have been victims of this type of fraud and work with them to resolve the problems the notario created for them. Work with a bona fide lawyer who knows U.S. immigration laws and can help you fulfill your immigration objectives.