Rostam Blog
How to Avoid Immigration Scams
People who migrate to the U.S. face extraordinary challenges just getting here. Often, they leave their families and homeland with just the clothes on their back, the money in their pocket, and the hope for a better life in America. On top of all these challenges, once they arrive they are then likely to face cultural and language barriers, money problems, difficulties finding a place to live, and more. Unfortunately, some people have come to the conclusion that immigrants are an easy target for scamming and fraud. These scammers can only succeed because they prey on people going through the confusing processes that come with immigration. Renewing a green card, becoming a citizen, requesting a visa, and most other immigration procedures and forms are extremely complicated and confusing. Finding adequate help with these issues is difficult as it is without having to worry about whether the “help” is actually a fraud or scam.
How can you avoid being scammed? There are some easy ways to spot a fraud. You NEVER have to pay for blank government forms – if someone is charging you for blank immigration forms, then you should report them immediately to the FTC. No matter what your immigration status is, you can report these scams anonymously without fear of deportation. You should also be wary if someone is offering you a guaranteed entry into the Diversity Visa lottery. Others may promise to get a green card. there is no guarantee and these are likely to be scams. Is someone calling you claiming to be with the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)? That’s likely a scammer – the INS no longer exists – it was dissolved and most immigration services now fall under the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Here are some other ways to avoid fraud and protect yourself:
– Never sign a blank government form or one with false information on it
– Never sign a form that you don’t understand
– Don’t let anyone keep your original documents such as a birth certificate or passport
– Keep copies of all your forms that have been submitted
– Know how much it costs to submit applications – some companies will charge you a higher fee than what is required
People who are confused about the immigration process should also know that notary publics (“notarios”) cannot offer legal advice. In Spanish speaking countries, “notario” can imply that someone is a powerful attorney with special legal credentials. This is not the case in the U.S. People who advertise themselves as notarios cannot help you legally. They will often charge you money but offer no real help. And sometimes, they’ll do things that actually harm your immigration status or path to citizenship!
If you’re confused about the process you should also know that even friends and people who mean well can cause problems with your immigration status. These people can help translate forms for you but they should never tell you what to write or give advice on which forms to use. Again, these people are your friends and you trust them, but they are not legal experts!
If you’re confused at all about your immigration status or the forms that go along with the immigration process, you deserve an expert on your side. Call Mundo Immigration now for a free consultation!