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National Effort to Stop Immigration Fraudsters

Chris Gafner — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:14:59 +0000

It is saddening how often I have consultations with immigrants who have previously used a “non-lawyer expert” or “immigration specialist” who basically took the immigrant’s money and did nothing. Often these immigrants are told that they can get a green card through a “special law” or through some sort of “special connection” that the fraudster said he or she had with the government.

The immigration bar has been trying to flush out these fraudsters for many years. Recently, the New York State Attorney General has been aggressively pursuing immigration fraudsters in New York. Now, the Federal government is making a major push to take legal action against these immigration fraudsters. The push involves many federal agencies, including USCIS, FTC, and the Department of Justice. To learn more, visit StopNotarioFraud.org.

Will Governor Cuomo Continue Immigration Pardon Panel?

Chris Gafner — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:13:52 +0000

Governor Cuomo has been in office for less than a week and already he is being asked whether he will continue the immigration pardon panel that Governor Paterson created last year.

Last year, Governor Paterson created the immigration pardon panel to review the cases of immigrants who faced automatic removal from the United States following minor criminal convictions. The panel was created in May and the Governor eventually granted pardons to 30 immigrants. Governor Paterson created the program to combat what he saw as “unjust” immigration laws.

As Attorney General, Cuomo led a push against unauthorized immigration law providers who have long victimized New Yorkers. However, he has been silent about whether he will extend the immigration pardon panel.

America is known as the land of second chances. Why shouldn’t Governor Cuomo keep the immigration pardon panel going? It will flush out the cases of deserving immigrants and would make the job of the Governor much easier. Additionally, Governor Cuomo will have the last say in any immigration pardon application.

New Website Combating Fraudulent Immigration Providers

Chris Gafner — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 13:42:53 +0000

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has launched a new website meant to combat the illegal and fraudulent practices of immigration notarios. The website is Stopnotariofraud.org.

Unfortunately, immigration law is filled with fraudulent immigration providers who will take money and provide no benefits to the applicants. The new website is meant to provide information to immigrants to ensure that they are not victims of immigration fraud.

In New York State, the Attorney General’s office has been going after unauthorized immigration providers and have closed many of them. To learn more about immigration fraud prevention in New York, please read here.

New York Immigration Fraudsters Beware

Chris Gafner — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:53:21 +0000

The New York State Attorney General’s Office is continuing its effort to rid New York State of the immigration fraudsters who attempt to exploit unknowing immigrants by misrepresenting their credentials (and abilities) while bulking immigrants out of exorbitant amounts of money.

Most recently, the Attorney General’s Office announced the shutdown of seven companies who are accused of defrauding immigrants or the unauthorized practice of law. The seven organizations are: (1) Centro Santa Ana, Inc. and Ana Lucia Baquero, in Queens; (2) Margo’s Immigration Services and Margarita Davidov a/k/a Margo Davidov, in Queens; (3) Miguel Fittipaldi, J.D., Ltd. and Miguel Fittipaldi, in Manhattan; (4) Arthur C. Hurwitz, in Manhattan; (5) Oficina Legal Para Hispanos, P.C. and Geoffrey S. Stewart, in Manhattan; (6) Asilos and Camilo Perdomo, in Queens; and (7) Mision Hispana, Inc. and Mayra Liz, in Queens.

Often, taking a few practical steps can help immigrants determine if a person or organization is not an appropriate immigration advisor. To learn more, please visit this site’s “Spotting Immigration Fraud” web page.

NYC Clinic for Victims of Immigration Fraud

Chris Gafner — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 13:15:28 +0000

On Saturday, June 19, 2010, residents of the New York City area will be able to attend a free immigration clinic to assist the victims of immigration fraud. Unfortunately, many non-attorney individuals and agencies in New York City swindle innocent victims by claiming that they can get them immigration benefits. These unscrupulous individuals and agencies often purport to offer legal advice at reduced costs to what an immigration attorney would cost. Unfortunately, these individuals and agencies often only take a victim’s money and disappear (or hide behind lies).

The free clinic is open to any victims of immigration fraud. It will run from 11 am to 4 pm at the CUNY Graduate Center, Proshansky Auditorium, Concourse Level C, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

USCIS Official Guilty of Coercion in Marriage Green Card Case

Chris Gafner — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 10:43:22 +0000

Isaac R. Baichu, a former USCIS immigration officer in New York City, has pleaded guilty to coercing a foreign national spouse of a U.S. Citizen with threats of denying her green card application and deporting her family members. Mr. Baichu, who is 48, told the 22 year old Columbian spouse that he would deny her marriage green card if she did not perform sexual acts with him.

Luckily, the Colombian applicant recorded the conversation and presented the evidence to law enforcement.

In a further sign of bureaucratic silliness, the USCIS has decided to only start reviewing the nearly 8000 cases that Mr. Baichu adjudicated now that he has pleaded guilty. Why the USCIS did not start reviewing those cases in 2007 (when Mr. Baichu was caught) boggles the mind. The fact that the Colombian victim in this case has also not had her green card approved yet.

For more on the story, read this NY Times article.

NYC Immigration Fraudster Ordered to Pay $3 Million

Chris Gafner — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:14:13 +0000

A local New York City immigration fraudster has recently been ordered to pay $3 million in restitution and penalties. The fraudster, Miriam Mercedes Hernandez, was charged by the New York Attorney General’s office for defrauding immigrants by charging them each up to $15,000 for a visa that she claimed she could get through political connections.

Lets hope the Attorney General keeps up the pressure against these dubious fraudsters.

Don’t Be A Victim of Immigration Fraud

Chris Gafner — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:43:14 +0000

As mentioned last week, certain Haitian nationals were recently made eligible for TPS status. given the large number of individuals who will be seeking out this status, it is a good time to remember to properly vet any immigration attorney that you engage. It is also important to make sure that you are not being taken for a ride. As is too often the case, many immigrants are.

The USCIS has a pamphlet addressing how to avoid immigration fraud. It is available in English and Creole.

NY Immigration Official Accused of Taking Bribes

Chris Gafner — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:19:01 +0000

by Henna

An Immigration Official working in New York has been accused of soliciting and taking bribes from immigrants who were seeking naturalization. According to the AP, the immigration official solicited at least four bribes between April 2007 and November 2009. The accused immigration official is named Melford Christmas and now faces 15 years in jail.