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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.

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.

Faster Immigration Security Checks Coming Soon?

Chris Gafner — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 10:17:29 +0000

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is establishing a single, multi-agency database that includes all immigrant data. The database will be searchable by government officials and will allow immigration officials to more easily detect fraud by those seeking to gain immigration benefits. The new database will be a mirror copy of existing DHS databases, and will be updated in real-time.

The new database is good news for national security and for immigrants seeking entry into the United States. Often times, immigrants are held up by delays caused by the need to do fraud and security checks. Although the program will not eliminate all the delays – It is hoped that the new database will improve the situation.

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.

Mexican Actress Accused of Marriage Fraud

Chris Gafner — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:37:11 +0000

Mexican actress Fernanda Romero has been accused of marriage fraud by the U.S. Government. Ms. Romero has been accused of paying her husband money in 2005 to marry her so that she could become a permanent resident in the United States. The Government believes that the couple never lived together and have arrested Ms. Romero’s husband also.

The Government began investigating the couple after a former boyfriend of Ms. Romero told federal officials that the marriage was a sham.

Although it is important that the government ensures that individuals do not defraud the system, it must be remembered that some scorned ex-lovers may invent stories of fraud to get back at their former lovers. If you are ever put into a situation where you are threatened by a former lover with a false accusation of marriage fraud, please do not hesitate to contact a NYC immigration attorney.

Marriage Fraud for immigration purposes can result in imprisonment of up to five years for both the foreign national and the U.S. citizen.

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.

Boulder Restauranteur Indicted for Defrauding Immigrants

Chris Gafner — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:09:51 +0000

A Boulder Restauranteur has been indicted in federal court on allegations of defrauding immigrants whom he employed at his thai restaurants located in Colorado. The restauranteur is accused of paying immigrants under the table, requiring immigrants to pay fictitious government fees, and requiring immigrants to sign “agreements” that would require an immigrant to pay $18000 to the restauranteur if the immigrant violated the terms of a contract.

Guest Workers Tricked by Immigration Recruiters?

Chris Gafner — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:58:16 +0000

The New York Times recently reported on a ongoing dispute between Indian steelworkers and their employers about what claims were made to the workers when they came to the United States. The steelworkers were brought into the United States right after Katrina to assist in rebuilding the oil rigs of the Gulf. According to the workers, many paid up to $20,000 to a recruiter that claimed they would soon be able to obtain a green card. Unfortunately – the workers were not eligible to obtain a green card and were allegedly intimidated into not complaining about their working conditions.

The most disconcerting part of the article is the accusation that ICE officials worked with the employer to discourage the employees from complaining.

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.

Two New York “Immigration Service Organizations” Sued For Fraud

Chris Gafner — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:01:40 +0000

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.

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.