Why You Need to Hire an Experienced Miami Immigration Lawyer
The Trump Administrations’ immigration crack-down has forced vulnerable migrants to scramble for help. Unfortunately, as a recent Pro Publica investigation reveals, scammers have made false promises and often posed as lawyers. The result is a generation of migrants defrauded of money and left even more vulnerable than before.
Take control. Contact The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC, to speak with an experienced immigration lawyer about your case. Our firm can provide accurate legal advice and represent you in hearings, as well as inside court.
Immigration Scams in the Age of Social Media
The details in the Pro Publica story are shocking. They show the lengths scammers use to pass themselves off as real lawyers (when they aren’t).
One asylum seeker connected with a woman on Facebook claiming to be a lawyer who offered to help with the immigrant’s asylum hearing. The scam was detailed and even involved a fake courtroom and hearing. At the end, the alleged lawyer claimed over WhatsApp that the asylee had won and could stay in the U.S., which simply wasn’t true. The alleged “hearing” was fake. Unfortunately, the asylee ended up paying this woman almost $10,000 for help, money they had saved for a down payment on their home.
One risk many migrants from Latin America fall prey to is the “notario” fraud. In many Latin American countries, a public notary is a prominent position, and notaries can act as lawyers. In the U.S., however, a notary needs no formal legal training and is certainly not an attorney. It is crucial that new migrants to the U.S. understand the distinction.
Scammers often use social media to connect with vulnerable victims: Facebook, WhatsApp, and TikTok. Scammers often use Artificial Intelligence to create professional-looking photographs or videos. In addition to posing as lawyers, some scammers also pretend to be employees of Homeland Security and might demand payment for protection.
Scammers capitalize on fear and lack of familiarity with the U.S. legal system. Sadly, the number of scams is on the rise. Over the past five years, more than 6,000 complaints have been filed with the Federal Trade Commission regarding immigration fraud, with immigrants losing around $100 million.
Furthermore, victims are left more vulnerable because they did not get the help they needed. Many are quickly arrested and put on a plane for deportation. They are unprepared for their hearings and typically lose, even if they have valid legal defenses to raise. Hiring a legitimate lawyer might have made the difference between staying in the U.S. legally or being deported.
Contact Our Office to Speak with an Immigration Lawyer Today
To avoid falling victim yourself, you should only contact legitimate lawyers. In the U.S., a lawyer should have a law degree and a bar license issued by a state like Florida or New Hampshire. Check for these credentials when looking at a lawyer’s website. Also schedule a consultation to speak directly to the lawyer, ideally in person at their office.
The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan can help with most immigration needs. A Portsmouth, New Hampshire or Miami, Florida attorney is standing by.
Source:
propublica.org/article/trump-immigration-scams-complaints-doubled-ice