We are happy to share an interview with INSZoom’s long-standing client, Mary Carmen Madrid-Cost, by Luke Telander, a program associate for outreach at Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS). Mary Carmen is on the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) National Consumer Protection & Unauthorized Practice of Law Action Committee, and works diligently to fight against notarios, people who prey upon the confusion and fear of immigrants to make a profit. In the interview, Mary Carmen speaks about what notario fraud is, how it affects immigrants and how immigrants and immigration lawyers can help fight this crime.

Read the full interview at the LIRS blog.

The proposed bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill was formally introduced in the form of a 17-page outline.  The author emphasizes that this is a proposal which is subject to debate.  The final shape and form of the enacted bill may be different from the outline that is being introduced today.  The purpose of this article is to provide readers an idea of what will guide the Senate debates in the coming month.  More importantly, the public should be warned not to part with their hard earned money and rely upon unauthorized immigration consultants, often referred to especially in the Hispanic communities as notarios, who promise to help in the legalization process this early in time.  Do not be lured by smooth talk and tactics often used by notarios to make you feel comfortable to use their services – many have lost the opportunity for an immigration benefit because of overpromising and dishonest consultants and, uncertified paralegals.  While it is true that certain states and cities may have licensing procedures for immigration service providers (ISP), their role is often limited to translating and reproducing documents as well as completing immigration forms (but this is almost playing with fire because choosing a particular box to check within an immigration form or choosing which form to complete is considered providing legal advice, which ISPs are not allowed to do).  Remember that only attorneys licensed in one jurisdiction and organizations recognized/individuals certified by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) may provide advice on immigration matters.  Learn more about notario fraud, reporting such activities, and how to protect yourself by visiting www.stopnotariofraud.org.  Hopefully, members of the immigrant communities recognize their responsibility of policing fraudulent individuals or organizations especially within their own communities.  The fight against notario fraud only becomes stronger with evidence from victims.  Now that favorable immigrant benefits are apparent, immigrants should seize this moment to expose and not be victimized by unauthorized immigration consultants.  And, hopefully, as comprehensive immigration reform reaches a crescendo, notarios will find no more willing victims.