New York City Immigration Lawyer. NYC immigration lawyer assisting with K-1 fiancee visas, EB 1-A Extraordinary Abilities Visa, EB 1-2 Outstanding Researchers and Professors Visa, and all other visas, green cards, naturalization and citizenship. Gafner Law Firm is a full service NYC immigration law firm serving clients in Manhattan, Staten Island, Brookyln, the Bronx, Queens, Nassau County, Suffolk County, Westchester County, Yonkers, Astoria, Greenpoint, Murray Hill, Bushwick, Park Slope, Bay Ridge, Brighton Beach, Brownsville, Corona, Harlem, SoHo, Tribeca, Longwood, Hunts Point, Flatbush, Brooklyn Heights, Wall Street, Jersey City and from throughout the world. » Unauthorized Practice of Law http://www.gafnervisalaw.com A NYC Immigration Lawyer Providing Immigration and Naturalization Advice to Clients from throughout the World. Mon, 06 Sep 2010 11:44:04 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 NYC Immigration Fraudster Ordered to Pay $3 Million http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/08/nyc-immigration-fraud-pay/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/08/nyc-immigration-fraud-pay/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 10:14:13 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=1772 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 [...]]]> 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.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/03/08/nyc-immigration-fraud-pay/feed/ 0 Two New York “Immigration Service Organizations” Sued For Fraud http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/01/19/two-new-york-immigration-service-organizations-sued-for-fraud/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/01/19/two-new-york-immigration-service-organizations-sued-for-fraud/#comments Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:01:40 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=1635 New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recently announced that his office has sued two New York Immigration Service Organizations that are alleged to have been providing fraudulent services to immigrants. The organizations, International Immigrants Foundation, Inc. (“IIF”), International Professional Association, Inc. (“IPA”) (and their President Edward Juarez),  are accused of “defrauding immigrants with false promises [...]]]> New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo recently announced that his office has sued two New York Immigration Service Organizations that are alleged to have been providing fraudulent services to immigrants. The organizations, International Immigrants Foundation, Inc. (“IIF”), International Professional Association, Inc. (“IPA”) (and their President Edward Juarez),  are accused of “defrauding immigrants with false promises of citizenship, engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, and illegally charging exorbitant fees for services.”  The Attorney General’s Office is working to help any innocent victims of these organizations.  Good work Attorney General’s Office.

Two tips to those seeking immigration assistance:  1) Seek assistance from a licensed attorney who focuses his or her practice on immigration law, 2) If someone promises something that sounds too good to be true – it probably isn’t.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2010/01/19/two-new-york-immigration-service-organizations-sued-for-fraud/feed/ 0 A Sad Story: Duped by Another Fictitious Immigration Lawyer http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/10/16/a-sad-story-duped-by-another-fictitious-immigration-lawyer/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/10/16/a-sad-story-duped-by-another-fictitious-immigration-lawyer/#comments Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:17:11 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=1049 The New York Times is again reporting about a malicious and fraudulent individual who was presenting himself to the public as an immigration attorney. The toll from this person’s actions is not completely known yet but appears to include at least fourteen innocent immigrants who were duped by the fraud and now face removal proceedings.  Additionally, [...]]]> The New York Times is again reporting about a malicious and fraudulent individual who was presenting himself to the public as an immigration attorney. The toll from this person’s actions is not completely known yet but appears to include at least fourteen innocent immigrants who were duped by the fraud and now face removal proceedings.  Additionally, two individuals report that the fraud suggested that they marry him to gain permanent residency.

It is a sad occurrence whenever innocent individuals suffer because of the malicious acts of one individual.   I applaud the District Attorney of New York and all other law enforcement agencies that are actively seeking to eliminate these individuals from our society.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/10/16/a-sad-story-duped-by-another-fictitious-immigration-lawyer/feed/ 0 New York Attorney General Continues Battle Against Immigration Service Scams http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/09/23/new-york-attorney-general-continues-battle-against-immigration-service-scams/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/09/23/new-york-attorney-general-continues-battle-against-immigration-service-scams/#comments Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:00:57 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=653 Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is continuing his department’s push to eliminate unscrupulous immigration agencies that are offering unauthorized immigration services to unsuspecting immigrants.   The Attorney General issued 30 subpeonas against organizations suspected of offering unauthorized services to the New York State population.  These 30 subpoenas are on top of subpoenas that his department had previously [...]]]> Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is continuing his department’s push to eliminate unscrupulous immigration agencies that are offering unauthorized immigration services to unsuspecting immigrants.   The Attorney General issued 30 subpeonas against organizations suspected of offering unauthorized services to the New York State population.  These 30 subpoenas are on top of subpoenas that his department had previously issued this past Spring.  Those subpoenas led to the closer of three immigration organizations.

Keep up the good work, NYS Attorney General’s Office.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/09/23/new-york-attorney-general-continues-battle-against-immigration-service-scams/feed/ 0 New York Attorney General Closes Immigration Assistance Firms Accused of Fraud http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/08/26/new-york-attorney-general-closes-immigration-assistance-firms-accused-of-fraud/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/08/26/new-york-attorney-general-closes-immigration-assistance-firms-accused-of-fraud/#comments Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:14:32 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=392 Following up on a post from last week, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has closed down three companies that he claims defrauded thousands of individuals seeking immigration assistance. Cuomo says that the companies claimed to be qualified to provide legal services to clients who sought immigration assistance. The companies were based in New [...]]]> Following up on a post from last week, New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has closed down three companies that he claims defrauded thousands of individuals seeking immigration assistance. Cuomo says that the companies claimed to be qualified to provide legal services to clients who sought immigration assistance. The companies were based in New York City and Long Island. Cuomo has also initiated civil suits against three other companies involved in similar schemes.
The Attorney General’s actions are commendable. As reported in the New York Times, there has been an apparent increase in the number of individuals and corporations providing unqualified immigration assistance. Look to this website shortly to provide for ways to avoid deceptive and unqualified immigration assistance providers.

]]> http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/08/26/new-york-attorney-general-closes-immigration-assistance-firms-accused-of-fraud/feed/ 1 Disturbing Increase in Number of Deceptive Immigration Lawyers http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/08/18/disturbing-increase-in-number-of-deceptive-immigration-lawyers/ http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/2009/08/18/disturbing-increase-in-number-of-deceptive-immigration-lawyers/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:07:20 +0000 Chris Gafner http://www.gafnervisalaw.com/?p=314 The New York Times is reporting an increase in the number of immigration attorneys who appear to be preying on immigration populations by promising spectacular results but delivering services that have resulted in devastating results for immigrant families.  The family featured in the article paid thousands of dollars to an immigration attorney who promised that he would take [...]]]> The New York Times is reporting an increase in the number of immigration attorneys who appear to be preying on immigration populations by promising spectacular results but delivering services that have resulted in devastating results for immigrant families.  The family featured in the article paid thousands of dollars to an immigration attorney who promised that he would take care of everything to ensure that the father would be granted permanent residency.  The father was not granted permanent residency and was deported almost immediately after going to an interview at a local immigration office.

Unfortunately, not all attorneys are as trustworthy and honest as we would all like them to be.   Look for an upcoming post that will give suggestions to potential clients about how to best avoid deceptive attorneys.

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