Beware! Experts warn about the rise of scams targeting immigrants - Peninsula 360 Press
Key Takeaways
- Advocates say scams targeting immigrants have increased, exploiting language barriers and long immigration backlogs.
- Fraudsters allegedly pose as government officials or legal representatives and demand upfront fees via wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
- Affected groups include recent arrivals, limited-English speakers, and people with pending visas, asylum or work-authorizations.
- Tip: verify attorneys with your state bar, confirm information on official sites like USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), and report fraud to authorities.
Overview
Immigrant-rights groups and consumer advocates are warning about a rise in frauds that prey on people navigating the U.S. immigration system. It has been reported that scammers use official-looking emails, texts and websites and sometimes impersonate USCIS, ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) or Social Security officials to create urgency and fear. Those targeted are often recent arrivals, people with limited English proficiency, and applicants facing long delays for work permits, green cards, or asylum claims.
How the scams work and why they succeed
Scammers allegedly promise faster processing, guaranteed approvals, or protection from deportation in exchange for upfront payments — commonly via wire transfer, gift cards or cryptocurrency. They may present fake receipts, forged documents, or offer “notario” services (unlicensed practitioners who falsely claim to be attorneys). Long USCIS processing times and recent policy changes or fee notices make official timelines opaque, which creates opportunities for fraudsters to exploit confusion and impatience.
Legal context, human impact and advice
This is not just a financial crime. Victims can lose life savings, miss legitimate filing deadlines, or accept unsafe legal advice that jeopardizes their cases. For legal help, consult an attorney licensed in the U.S. (verify through the state bar) or an accredited representative approved by the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Access Programs (OLAP). Always cross-check instructions and fee requirements on official sites such as USCIS.gov, do not pay anyone who insists on cash or gift cards, and keep written records. Report suspected scams to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), the FBI/IC3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center), your local police, and the USCIS Contact Center.
Source: Original Article