Unauthorized law practice seized for immigration scam

As per a News Release by the State Bar of California, the unauthorized law practice of a woman belonging to Fontana [California] has been seized following an investigation into her scamming immigrants in the name of getting them legal residency in the US.

The law practice was run as Immigrants Legal Options.

The owner, Samaris Estrada, made her clients believe that she possessed the necessary qualification for performing legal services in immigration matters. Estrada had never been admitted to the State Bar of California.

On October 28, 2019, the State Bar of California requested the Superior Court of San Bernardino for issuing a permanent court order in the case. The request was granted, enabling the State Bar to seize Immigrants Legal Options.

More than 100 boxes of client files were taken in. It is estimated that 80 boxes contained active files.

Documentary evidence revealed that Estrada was being paid thousands of dollars for each immigration case. Estrada was found to be engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

The US government has clearly defined what an immigration consultant can or can’t do in the US –

If you feel anyone posing as an attorney or ‘notario’ is targeting you in the US, you can file an unauthorized practice of law complaint with the State Bar. Do keep in mind that, when you file such a complaint –

• No questions will be asked about your immigration/citizenship status,
• Being a citizen of the US is not required, and
• No costs are involved.

Keeping in view the increasing number of cases of immigrants falling prey to such immigration scams, the State Bar of California advises people to avoid such frauds committed by unlicensed legal providers and attorneys.

The State Bar urges all in California to take certain precautions in this regard –

• Maintain a paper trail of everything.
• Insist on the attorney’s full name as well as State Bar number.
• Prior to hiring, look up the attorney on the State Bar website.
• Get a written contract.
• Take receipts of all payments made by you.
• Never pay in cash. If you must make a cash payment, insist on a receipt.
• If your attorney will be representing you in immigration matters, ensure that they are licensed for the same.
• Never hire anyone who threatens to report your immigration status unless you paid up immediately.

The current case of immigration scam run by Immigrants Legal Options is a reminder for all immigrants in the US to be extra careful in the future.

Incidentally, the State Bar had already issued cease and desist notices to Immigrants Legal Options at 2 separate occasions in the past.

For all immigration-related requirements, it is always advisable to do proper background checks before trusting anyone for something that can have far-reaching consequences for you.

If you are looking to Migrate, Study, Visit, Invest or Work in US, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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