Scammers are pretending to be a friend of immigrants or the worst nightmares to remove them with their money.
For some immigrants who are looking for a better life in the United States, the American dream has recently been out of a nightmare.
The Trump administration is determined to deport non -documentary people, whether they have a criminal record or not, with the administration suggested that they will try to deport one million migrants in a year.
The thing to understand is, you may be unprecedented right now, even if you are legally immigrants in the country. Scammers know this. In fact, they are trusting it – and developed the equipment designed to take advantage of the migrants’ troubles and the frustration of living in the country.
“The scandal is becoming more and more specific to the landscape of the landscape for a week,” said AnperSot.com’s lawyer and founder, Shen Lukado, who helps people find lawyers. “The worst abuse I see today includes immigrants, with newcomers, language learners or first timers dealing with American systems.”
What scams of immigration are now famous
Many scammers are digging a strategy to introduce immigration and customs as agents, Lukado said. These scams are still there, but the culprits will now pretend to help you in their case.
“Now they do as they are with you,” he said. “They say they work with USCIS (US citizen and immigration services). They tighten the agency’s phone numbers. They use a definite official letter head. And then they say that your paperwork is a mistake.”
There is really no shortage of immigration scams that have been reported all over the country. Spilller Alert: They all ask you to pay, otherwise. Common immigration scams may include:
- Fake government officials have claimed that they have been claimed to be part of the ICE. They have contacted immigrants in California and told them they are in danger of being deported, but they can avoid it if they pay a fine.
- In Colorado, non -documentary immigrants have been contacted on social media and WhatsApp through “immigration agents”. He set a zoom meeting with USCIS agents using Zul or Western Union using Western Union, offering asylum with USCIS agents.
- In New York City, a fake lawyer advised a asylum seeking to stay away from the court hearing (the argument is that it may be deported) and instead attend the online hearing. The man paid his fake lawyer in the installments, and before learning that he was being scored, about $ 5,000 was fired. Meanwhile, he was deprived of his real court hearing and ordered to be deported.
- Visa -related scams that have been circulating across the country are Middle East students living in the United States legally targeting through scammers. They try to convince the victims that their paperwork is wrong, and they can be sent home until they pay.
How to avoid immigration scams
Scandals are more clever in scams than ever before. Fortunately, there are some red flags you can find.
The true deals are very nice
If you have been emphasizing your legal status for some time, and suddenly, nowhere, you are working with a company that sounds that all your problems will be eliminated soon, you face doubts, a lawyer in a New York city, a lawyer, a lawyer, a lawyer and a lawyer in the city of New York.
Listen closely for this phrase, “Fast process.” It wants to ring the alarm in your head. Likewise, anyone who identifies himself as a consultant, notary or solo paralysis may not be of any benefit.
You have been contacted on phone, email or social media
It’s not that you can’t work with a leading person on the phone or by email. In many cases, you can. But it does matter whether you have started the conversation or the so -called immigration expert or lawyer has come to you.
“USCIS or ice will not make you a warning call,” said Shipplesky. “They will send you a letter and just show our experience at your door.”
“Stay far from phishing, where one will text or email to ask for personal information or payment in disguise of government communications,” he added.
You feel the pressure to pay
This is a classic red flag. But this is a tactic that works better for scammers as many non -documentary immigrants already feel pressure to work in the current political climate. Often, scammers know many of your personal information, sometimes even your case number.
“So when they talk to the authority, your brain leaves the logic and goes into a fix, it is emotional hijacking.” “They target people in the midst of the process, who are applying for asylum, waiting for work permits or are trapped in visa renewal loops.”
The requested payment method is weird
Scammers do not like paper trails that can go back to them, so they use payment methods that make it difficult for law enforcement agencies to find it later.
It doesn’t matter how much pressure you feel, avoiding any gift cards or payment apps like zeli. No well -known government or legal official will ask you to pay this way. And if someone is threatening to deport you, they will not ask for money at all. You will be detained right now.
Research on the lawyer who hires
Immigrants who visit the judicial system should always work with a credible and licensed immigration lawyer. Shiplasky says most states have the online directory to search for licensed lawyers as well as banned persons.
The Justice Department also has an online list of immigration lawyers that have been abolished. They may still be a scammer, even if they are not on the list, but this is the second way to check the lawyer’s credentials.
Always find a lawyer’s first and last name in the state directory in which he adheres to the law. You can also try the American Bar Association, which will connect you with the directory of licensed lawyers in your state.
What to do if you fall in the immigration scam
After any scam falls, you can feel very embarrassed to pay attention to and do something. But don’t do anything.
“If someone becomes a victim after paying $ 800 for a fake visa, collect all receipts, screenshots and conversations.” “Send everything (State) Attorney General’s Office and the State Bar. Following that filing usually triggers inquiry within 30 days.”
If you have given the current political climate, or you think you need further help, Lokado says there are legal clinics that may be eligible to help you.
According to USCIS, you can report the immigration scam to your state’s consumer protection office. Reporting of scams will not affect your request. Some states also allow anonymous complaints. You may not get your money back, but by fighting, you make the scammers difficult to deceive their next victim.
