Taking advantage of people asking for help with immigration issues is low. Unfortunately, that isn’t enough to stop people from posing as immigration attorneys to take advantage of those in need. The ABA has taken note and sent out a warning to the public that fraudsters may be among the people calling themselves immigration attorneys. From the American Bar Association:
The increase in fraud cases is attributed to rising enforcement actions, and bad actors are seeking to take advantage of immigrant communities desperately seeking legal assistance. The use of more sophisticated technology also has contributed to the growing number of fraud cases, particularly among noncitizens.
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Fraudsters are using ABA branding and office addresses to trade on the ABA’s reputation, often charging thousands of dollars for services that are never provided, said Adonia R. Simpson, deputy director for policy and pro bono for the ABA Commission on Immigration.
Given the challenges in determining whether a person is competent at their job or just making their best out of an opportunity to grift without actual authority (looking at you Alina Habba), the ABA offered some guidelines to suss out if the immigration attorney you’re in communication with sees you as a future client or an easy lick. They include scrutinizing communication methods (your immigration lawyer shouldn’t be reaching out to you through Whatsapp or Messenger), meeting with the lawyer in person and asking to see proof that they are actually licensed to practice.
Getting legal help is scary enough without the threat of being sent to Uganda looming over your head. And while it is understandable to feel lost in the sea of legalese that your (hopefully real) potential attorney is saying to you, do your best to stay focused on what’s being said and your surroundings — you are not required to leave your street smarts at the entrance to an attorney’s office. There are signs to look for if you think the person claiming to represent you is a scammer in disguise:
If this information comes a bit too late and you’ve been scammed by a fraudster posing as an attorney, your best bet may be to contact your state Attorney General’s office.
American Bar Association Issues Alert Regarding Fraudulent Immigration Law Practices [American Bar]
Chris Williams became a social media manager and assistant editor for Above the Law in June 2021. Prior to joining the staff, he moonlighted as a minor Memelord™ in the Facebook group Law School Memes for Edgy T14s. He endured Missouri long enough to graduate from Washington University in St. Louis School of Law. He is a former boatbuilder who is learning to swim, is interested in critical race theory, philosophy, and humor, and has a love for cycling that occasionally annoys his peers. You can reach him by email at cwilliams@abovethelaw.com and by tweet at @WritesForRent.
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