How to Choose an Immigration Lawyer and Avoid Scams

Immigration fraud is unfortunately a common occurrence, and all too often immigrants fall for scammers when looking for a lawyer. We have put together some tips on how to choose the right attorney, check his license and violation history, if any.

1. Ask for the lawyer's full name and license number. Before hiring an attorney or paying any money, look up the attorney's record on the state bar website where he is believed to be licensed to see if his license is active and if he has any records of violations.

2 Put the contract in writing and ask for receipts for the payments you made. Those documents, if necessary, will become evidence in court. Moreover, fraudsters usually avoid signing them, so a lawyer's refusal to formalize cooperation should alert the client.

3. Be extra careful if you are asked to pay for services in cash instead of the office or organization's account. If you decide to pay in cash, be sure to ask for a written receipt.

4. Don't hire to represent yourself. no one who threatens to tell federal agents about your immigration status unless you pay them.

5. Keep a document archive of your communications with your attorney. If you haven't paid from your bank account and can't get a statement, keep your cashier's receipt. Get a receipt from the lawyer, as well as an invoice with a detailed description of the services provided to you (you have the right to request it). Keep all of these documents until the matter you contacted the attorney about is resolved.

Where to go if you fall victim to a scammer posing as a lawyer?

People who have been victims of immigration fraud can file a legal complaint with the appropriate state bar association. There is no cost to file a complaint, and you do not have to be a US citizen. The attorney will not ask applicants about citizenship or immigration status. The complaint form is available in most states not only in English, but also in Russian