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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.