How to avoid immigration scams
Unfortunately, immigration scams or frauds are common in the United States. Sometimes it is hard to know what is a legitimate service and what is a scam. Do not pay money or give your personal information until you are completely sure! If you pay someone and later discover that it was a scam, it is difficult to get your money back.
If you are not sure if someone is scamming you, try to get a second opinion. You can search for immigration lawyers here. If you are an ASAP member, you can also email a question to ASAP at info@asylumadvocacy.org and include your ASAP member ID.
Please keep reading for information about how to avoid immigration scams.
If someone says they work for ASAP and asks for money in exchange for immigration services, they are not telling the truth.
ASAP membership is free, and ASAP never takes money in exchange for services. If anyone says they work for ASAP and asks you for money for immigration services, they are not telling the truth. They do not work for ASAP.
If anyone ever tells you that they work for ASAP and charges you money for immigration help, please report them to us at info@asylumadvocacy.org. We will take action against any individuals who pretend to work for ASAP.
If someone offers immigration services to you but you have never contacted them before, be careful!
Generally, trustworthy immigration lawyers do not reach out to potential clients directly, unless you contact them first and request an appointment. If someone contacts you first and offers you immigration services, it is probably a scam.
If someone promises quick and easy immigration status, be careful!
Most immigration applications take time and have very specific requirements. Trustworthy lawyers will take time to learn about your immigration history, evaluate your case, and discuss your options with you.
It is probably a scam if:
They say that you qualify for an immigration status, even though they do not know very much about your circumstances.
They say that the process is quick and easy. Most immigration processes take months or years.
They promise 100% success. Trustworthy lawyers will never guarantee that you will receive immigration status.
They say they already prepared your application, or already submitted your application. Immigration applications take time to prepare, and an application must be signed by the applicant before it can be submitted to the government.
Be careful on social media platforms!
Many scams take place on social media. Be careful if you see an advertisement or receive a direct message on social media that promises immigration status. It is probably a scam.
Even people with a large number of followers can scam people. Do not pay any money unless you are completely sure they are not fraudulent.
Be careful of fake documents!
Sometimes, scammers will send you a document that looks like it is from the U.S. government but it is actually fake. It is often hard to tell if the document is legitimate or not. If you are not sure if a document is real, do not pay money!
Scammers often make these fake documents look very similar to real documents. Here is one example and another example of fake documents. Fake documents often have spelling errors and incorrect information. They also do not look the same as real government documents. You can see examples of what real documents look like on ASAP’s Sample Documents page.
If someone sends you a notice that says it is from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), you can contact USCIS directly to find out if it is real.
If the document has a receipt number, you can enter the receipt number on this USCIS website.
If there is no receipt number, you can call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283. When you are asked to explain what you are calling about, sometimes saying “InfoPass” can help you to reach a live person.
If someone says they are a lawyer or accredited representative, you can verify it.
Only licensed lawyers and special non-profit organizations can provide immigration legal services in the United States.
If someone says that they are a lawyer, you can ask for their lawyer license number (known as a bar number) and which state they are licensed in. Then check that they are actually a licensed lawyer. You can search on the internet: “attorney directory in [name of that state].” Then search on that website to confirm that the person is actually licensed.
At some non-profit organizations, people called “DOJ accredited representatives” are also allowed to provide immigration legal services. You can check whether someone is a DOJ accredited representative on this government website.
Find trustworthy immigration help.
You can search for immigration legal help here, including free or low cost legal assistance and trusted private lawyers.
You can also click on the links below to learn about the asylum process and work permits. You do not need to have a lawyer to apply for asylum!
If you are an ASAP member, you also email questions to ASAP at info@asylumadvocacy.org and include your ASAP member ID.
If you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, you may have options.
If you have already been a victim of fraud or a scam, learn about your options here.
This information is not intended to be legal advice.