How to Protect Yourself from Immigration Fraud

Last Updated: July 2026

If you are looking for immigration help, you are probably trying to protect your future and your family. Trusting the wrong person can cost you money, valuable time, and in some cases even your ability to remain in the United States. Fraud in this field is common, and the people targeted are often those with the most to lose and the least protection.

Being targeted does not mean being defenseless, there are simple ways to protect yourself. A few simple checks confirm whether someone is a real, licensed attorney before you hand over documents or money, and if you have already been deceived, concrete steps can still protect your case.

In this guide, you will learn:

• Why immigration fraud is such a widespread threat
• The most common types of fraud and the warning signs
• How to verify an attorney in Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland
• Exactly what to do if you have been a victim
• How to find legitimate, affordable legal help

We have helped clients at Law Group International rebuild cases that others mishandled, and the guidance below reflects what that work has taught us.

Why immigration fraud is so common

Immigration fraud is not rare, and it is not always obvious. It ranges from unlicensed “notarios” who pose as lawyers to licensed attorneys who cut corners or act without their clients’ knowledge, and it can affect tens of thousands of people at once.

A recent example shows the scale of the problem. On June 26, 2026, USCIS took the unusual step of publishing a public notice directed at the former clients of a former Washington State immigration attorney. According to the USCIS notice, the attorney resigned from the State Bar of Washington on May 26, 2026, in lieu of discipline and is permanently barred from practicing law in that state; her firm closed on June 10, 2026; and on June 18, 2026, the Board of Immigration Appeals suspended her from practice before the Department of Homeland Security, the immigration courts, and the Board. Figures from the Washington State Bar Association reported in the press indicate that roughly 54,000 pending USCIS petitions carried her signature. Civil lawsuits filed by former clients allege, among other claims, that applications were filed without clients’ knowledge or understanding. Those allegations have not been adjudicated by any court, and the attorney has publicly denied wrongdoing.

This is offered only as factual context, not as a legal judgment about any individual, and this article is about protecting yourself in general. The lesson is that problems can arise with someone who looks completely legitimate, which is why verification matters no matter who you are working with. The safest habit is uncomplicated: never assume, always check, and the sections below show you how.

Common types of immigration fraud

Fraud shows up in a handful of recognizable forms, and knowing each one helps you spot trouble before it reaches you.

• Notario fraud. In many Latin American countries a “notario público” is a trained lawyer. In the United States a notary public is not an attorney and cannot give legal advice, yet some advertise as if they can.
• Filing without your knowledge. A representative submits applications, or makes claims, that you never reviewed or authorized.
• Fabricated claims. Someone invents a story of abuse, persecution, or trafficking on your application, which can later be treated as fraud against you.
• Fee theft. You pay for services that are never performed, or you are charged for “government fees” that do not exist.
• Guaranteed results. No honest professional can promise a specific outcome, because only the government or a judge decides.

It is important to separate two legal ideas here. Immigration document fraud is a distinct federal violation under 8 U.S.C. section 1324c, which penalizes making, using, or preparing false documents to obtain immigration benefits, and it can carry civil penalties and, in some situations, criminal liability. The unauthorized practice of law is a separate problem, regulated by each state and by the federal rules on who may appear before USCIS and the immigration courts. If any of these describe your situation, stop and get a verified opinion before anything else is filed.

Warning signs your attorney or representative may be committing fraud

Some warning signs should make you pause immediately.

• They guarantee a specific outcome, such as promising you will win asylum or get a green card.
• They ask you to sign blank forms or documents you cannot read or have not reviewed.
• They refuse to give you copies of everything filed in your name.
• They pressure you to lie or to include information you know is false.
• They advertise as a “notario público” and offer legal services, which in the United States is a warning sign, not a credential.
• You cannot verify their license with any state bar or find them on the government’s list of accredited representatives.

Recognize any of these signs and one response matters most: stop sharing documents or money, and verify the person right away using the methods in the next section.

How to verify your immigration attorney

Verification takes minutes and can save your case. Only two kinds of people may legally represent you before USCIS and the immigration courts: a licensed attorney in good standing, or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice.

• Check the state bar. In Virginia, use the Virginia State Bar. In Washington D.C., use the D.C. Bar. In Maryland, use the Maryland Courts attorney records. Confirm the person is licensed, in good standing, and has no serious disciplinary history.
• Check the Department of Justice roster. If the person is not a lawyer, they must appear on the DOJ list of recognized organizations and accredited representatives. If they are not on it and not a licensed attorney, they cannot represent you.
• Ask direct questions. A legitimate professional will readily give you their bar number, their office information, and copies of your file.

If you cannot confirm someone through these official sources, treat that as a stop sign. You can also read our overview of what an immigration lawyer does and our tips for choosing the best immigration lawyer in Alexandria VA.

What to do if you are a victim of immigration fraud

If you believe you have been defrauded, act quickly and in order. Many cases can still be saved.

• Stop signing. Do not sign any more documents with the person you distrust, and do not pay them more money.
• Get your records. Obtain copies of everything filed for you. If you cannot get them from the representative, you can request your file from USCIS through a FOIA request.
• Report the fraud. You can report a representative’s misconduct to the EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program at 877-388-3840 or [email protected], report scams to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and report tips to ICE Homeland Security Investigations at 866-347-2423. Reporting does not by itself harm your immigration case.
• Consult a verified attorney now. A legitimate immigration attorney can assess the damage and the deadlines, which are often tight.
• Do not assume your case is over. Your case may be repairable, and finding out early is what preserves your options.

Because a fraudulent filing can create real risks, the most important step is speed: the sooner a qualified attorney reviews your file, the more can usually be done.

How to find a legitimate immigration attorney

Finding trustworthy help is easier when you use established channels.

• DOJ-recognized organizations offer free or low-cost help from accredited representatives; they appear on the same DOJ roster you use to verify credentials.
• Bar referral services in Virginia, D.C., and Maryland connect you with licensed attorneys.
• The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) maintains a public lawyer search of its member attorneys.
• Accredited legal aid organizations can refer you and sometimes represent you directly.

If your prior case involved a sensitive claim, our guides to the asylum process in the United States, the U visa guide for crime victims, and VAWA immigration protection explain how legitimate relief works, so you can recognize when a claim is being handled honestly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be deported because my attorney committed fraud?

It is possible, but it is not automatic, and you may have defenses. If a representative filed false information without your knowledge, that fact can matter a great deal, and in some cases a motion can be filed to reopen or correct the record. The key is to act quickly with a verified attorney who can explain how the fraud affects your specific case. Every case is different, so do not assume the worst before you get advice.

Will USCIS hold me responsible for false information my attorney filed?

It depends on the facts, including what you knew and authorized. USCIS takes fraud seriously, but there is an important difference between a person who knowingly lied and a person who was deceived by their own representative. Keeping proof of what you did and did not authorize, and getting your file, helps a new attorney protect you.

Can I get my money back from a fraudulent attorney?

In some cases, yes. Depending on your state, you may be able to recover money through a client protection or security fund run by the bar, or through a civil claim. Reporting the misconduct to the state bar is usually the first step, and a new attorney can advise you on recovery options while they focus on saving your immigration case.

What if my attorney filed a case I did not authorize?

Get your complete file right away so you can see exactly what was submitted in your name. An unauthorized or false filing can sometimes be corrected or withdrawn, but timing and strategy matter, and doing it wrong can make things worse. This is a situation to bring to a verified immigration attorney immediately.

Coming forward early is what protects your case

Being defrauded by someone you trusted with your future is painful, and many people feel ashamed to come forward. You should not. Coming forward quickly is exactly what protects your case, and a legitimate attorney can often repair damage that feels final.

At Law Group International, honest and careful representation is at the center of our practice, and we help clients throughout Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland, including people who need to rescue a case handled badly by someone else. Our attorneys Khalid Shekib and Daniela Lucena can review your file, tell you where you stand, and act on the deadlines that matter.

 

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Every immigration case is different, and the law may change. For guidance on your particular situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.

 

Official sources:

• Report immigration scams, USCIS: https://www.uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/report-immigration-scams
• USCIS online tip form: https://www.uscis.gov/report-fraud/uscis-tip-form
• EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program: 877-388-3840, [email protected]
• ICE Homeland Security Investigations tip line: 866-347-2423
• Federal Trade Commission, report fraud: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/
• Document fraud statute, 8 U.S.C. 1324c: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1324c
• DOJ roster of recognized organizations and accredited representatives: https://www.justice.gov/eoir/recognized-organizations-and-accredited-representatives-roster-by-state-and-city
• American Immigration Lawyers Association, find an attorney: https://www.aila.org/find-an-attorney
• Virginia State Bar: https://www.vsb.org/
• D.C. Bar: https://www.dcbar.org/
• Maryland Courts, attorney grievance: https://www.mdcourts.gov/attygrievance

Last updated: July 2026.