Immigration processes can be complicated, expensive, and stressful. Applicants may face unfamiliar forms, strict deadlines, long processing times, and uncertainty about whether their cases will be approved. Scammers often take advantage of these concerns by pretending to be government officials, attorneys, visa agents, employers, or people with special access to immigration agencies.
Common immigration scams can cost victims money, expose their personal information, and cause serious problems with legitimate immigration applications. A scammer may submit false information, keep important documents, allow deadlines to expire, or persuade someone to apply for an immigration benefit for which they do not qualify.
Knowing how immigration scams work can help applicants recognize warning signs before handing over money or sensitive documents.
What Is an Immigration Scam?
An immigration scam is a dishonest scheme involving immigration forms, visas, legal services, government agencies, employment opportunities, or immigration benefits.
Some scammers simply take money without providing the promised service. Others prepare incorrect applications, provide unauthorized legal advice, steal personal information, or submit fraudulent documents in the applicant’s name.
Immigration scams can happen through:
- Telephone calls
- Emails and text messages
- Social media platforms
- Messaging applications
- Fraudulent websites
- In-person immigration offices
- Job advertisements
- Community referrals
- Online legal-service advertisements
A professional-looking office, website, or social media profile does not prove that a person is qualified or trustworthy. Applicants should independently verify anyone offering immigration assistance.
Notario and Immigration Consultant Scams
Notario fraud is one of the most common immigration scams in the United States.
In some countries, a “notario” or “notario público” may be a legal professional with specialized training. In the United States, however, a notary public is generally not an attorney and is not automatically permitted to provide immigration legal advice.
A notario, visa consultant, document preparer, or immigration consultant may be allowed to provide limited nonlegal assistance, such as translating information or typing answers supplied by the applicant. That does not authorize the person to determine which immigration benefit the applicant should request, explain legal options, or represent someone in immigration court.
The Department of Justice explains that notarios and immigration consultants cannot provide immigration legal advice or represent people before immigration courts unless they are separately authorized as licensed attorneys or qualifying accredited representatives.
Warning signs of a notario scam include someone who:
- Uses legal-sounding titles without providing a bar number
- Claims to know a secret immigration process
- Chooses immigration forms without explaining their qualifications
- Promises a work permit, Green Card, or citizenship
- Refuses to provide a written agreement
- Asks the applicant to sign blank forms
- Will not provide copies of submitted documents
- Keeps the applicant’s original passport or identification
- Charges large fees without issuing receipts
Unauthorized advice can be especially dangerous when a person has a previous removal order, unlawful entry, criminal record, visa overstay, prior denial, or possible inadmissibility issue.
Fake Immigration Lawyers
Some scammers falsely claim to be immigration attorneys. They may use invented bar numbers, display another lawyer’s credentials, create a fake law-firm website, or claim they are licensed in another country.
Before hiring an immigration lawyer, obtain the person’s full legal name, licensing state, and bar number. Verify that information through the official attorney-licensing authority for the state.
Being listed on a business website or social media platform does not prove that the person is licensed. Applicants should also confirm that the lawyer is currently in good standing and review any public disciplinary history.
The Department of Justice maintains lists of practitioners who are currently or previously disciplined from practicing before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Our guide covering questions to ask before hiring an immigration lawyer explains how to evaluate a lawyer’s licensing, immigration experience, fees, communication practices, and disciplinary record before signing an agreement.
People Misrepresenting Themselves as Accredited Representatives
An accredited representative is not the same as an unlicensed immigration consultant.
The Department of Justice may authorize certain nonlawyers to provide immigration services through recognized nonprofit organizations. A partially accredited representative may generally practice before the Department of Homeland Security, while a fully accredited representative may also be authorized to practice before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
The representative’s authority belongs to their work through the recognized organization. It does not permit the person to leave that organization and independently provide immigration legal services.
Applicants can verify recognized organizations and accredited representatives through the Department of Justice’s Recognition and Accreditation Program.
Be cautious if someone claims to be an accredited representative but will not identify their recognized organization or appears to operate an unrelated private business.
Government Impersonation Scams
A scammer may call, email, or send a text while pretending to work for USCIS, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the Department of State, or an immigration court.
The scammer may claim that:
- The person’s immigration status has been canceled
- A form contains incorrect information
- A deportation order has been issued
- An immigration bond must be paid immediately
- A passport or visa has been suspended
- The person failed to register or update an address
- Police will make an arrest unless payment is sent
- The person must confirm their Social Security number or bank details
- A government fee remains unpaid
These messages are designed to create panic. The scammer wants the victim to act before having time to verify the story.
The Federal Trade Commission warns that scammers may impersonate USCIS or ICE officers, threaten arrest or deportation, and demand money or personal information.
Do not rely on caller identification. Scammers can make a telephone number appear to belong to a legitimate government agency.
Hang up and independently contact the agency using information from its official website. Do not call the number provided in the suspicious message or voicemail.
Fake Immigration Court Calls
Scammers may also impersonate employees of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the agency responsible for immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
The Department of Justice has previously warned that scammers can spoof an immigration court telephone number so the call appears official.
A caller may request personal information, claim a hearing was missed, or threaten legal consequences. Instead of giving the caller information, check the case through the Department of Justice’s official case-information system or contact the immigration court directly using a verified number.
Paper hearing notices and official court documents remain important sources of information. A suspicious phone call should never replace the instructions in an official notice.
Fraudulent Emails, Text Messages, and Social Media Accounts
Scammers create email addresses and social media accounts that resemble those used by government agencies. They may copy government logos, employee names, official language, and website designs.
A message may appear to announce approval, request additional documents, offer expedited processing, or warn that the recipient’s case will be closed.
USCIS does not use an applicant’s personal social media account to request payment or confidential case information. Government agencies also do not ask applicants to submit sensitive immigration documents through an unknown social media profile.
Before responding to a message:
- Examine the complete sender address
- Do not rely only on the displayed sender name
- Avoid opening unexpected attachments
- Do not click unfamiliar links
- Sign in to the government account through the official website
- Compare the message with notices in the official account
- Contact the agency through a verified telephone number if necessary
An email address containing “USCIS,” “immigration,” or “government” is not necessarily legitimate. Scammers can register addresses that look official at first glance.
Fake Government Websites
Fraudulent websites may closely imitate USCIS, Department of State, or Customs and Border Protection pages. They may use official-looking seals, American flags, government photographs, and names similar to immigration agencies.
Some of these websites charge for immigration forms that the government provides free of charge. Others collect personal information, payment-card details, passport copies, or account credentials.
Official U.S. federal government websites generally use the .gov domain. Applicants should carefully examine the complete website address because a fraudulent site may include “USCIS” or “DHS” elsewhere in the URL.
Do not access an immigration account through a link in an unexpected email or text. Type the known government address into the browser or use a saved official bookmark.
USCIS immigration forms can be downloaded without paying a form-download fee from the official USCIS forms page. Government filing fees may still apply when a form is submitted.
Websites Charging for Free Immigration Forms
Some businesses charge applicants merely to access blank USCIS forms. The websites may be designed to make visitors believe that the payment is an official government fee.
USCIS forms are available free of charge from the agency. A legitimate lawyer or authorized representative may charge for professional time spent evaluating a case, preparing forms, organizing evidence, or providing legal advice. That is different from claiming the government charges a fee to download a blank form.
Before making a payment, determine what the charge covers. Ask whether it is a government filing fee, legal fee, document-preparation fee, translation cost, or another expense.
Government filing fees should be confirmed through the official USCIS filing-fees page.
Requests for Payment by Gift Card or Cryptocurrency
Scammers often demand payment through methods that are difficult to reverse or trace.
A fake immigration officer may request:
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Wire transfers
- Cash deposits
- Person-to-person payment applications
- Money sent to an individual
- Payment through Western Union or MoneyGram
USCIS does not ask applicants to pay immigration fees to an individual by telephone or email. The government does not accept gift cards as payment for immigration applications.
A demand for immediate payment through an unusual method is a major warning sign. Stop communicating and verify the claimed fee through the agency’s official website.
Applicants using a lawyer or accredited representative should receive a written agreement explaining professional fees and government filing fees. They should also receive receipts for payments.
Guaranteed Approval Scams
No attorney, consultant, employer, government employee, or other representative can guarantee that an immigration application will be approved.
Immigration decisions are made by the government agency with authority over the case. A qualified lawyer may evaluate eligibility, identify risks, prepare evidence, and advocate for the applicant, but the lawyer cannot control the final decision.
Claims such as the following should be treated with caution:
- “Your Green Card is guaranteed.”
- “Everyone qualifies under this program.”
- “I have a special contact inside USCIS.”
- “I can guarantee asylum approval.”
- “You do not need an interview.”
- “The government has already approved you.”
- “Pay today or you will lose your only chance.”
A responsible professional should explain both the strengths and possible weaknesses of the case.
Promises of Secret or Faster Processing
Some scammers claim they can move a case to the front of the line, arrange an immediate interview, remove a deportation order, or obtain approval through personal connections.
Certain immigration applications may qualify for premium processing or expedited consideration under official government rules. However, these procedures have specific eligibility requirements. Paying a private individual does not create eligibility.
Be suspicious of anyone who claims to have a secret process or special relationship with immigration officers. Government processing times and legitimate expedite procedures should be verified through official sources.
Diversity Visa Lottery Scams
Diversity Visa scams frequently target people who want to immigrate to the United States through the Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, sometimes called the Green Card lottery.
A scammer may send an email claiming that the recipient has won and must immediately pay a fee. Another person may offer to increase the applicant’s chances of selection or demand money to release a confirmation number.
The Department of State does not charge a fee to submit an initial Diversity Visa entry. It also does not notify selected applicants by ordinary email or postal letter. Entrants must check their status through the official Entrant Status Check system.
The Department of State’s Diversity Visa submission guidance recommends that applicants retain their own confirmation page and unique confirmation number.
An applicant who uses someone else to submit an entry should be present during the process, review every answer, and keep the confirmation number. Otherwise, the preparer may demand additional payment before releasing the information needed to check the entry.
Selection in the program does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The selected person must still complete the required process and prove eligibility.
Fake Employment and Work-Visa Offers
Immigration scams may begin with an attractive job offer. The scammer may claim that a U.S. employer has selected the person for a position and will arrange a work visa after receiving payment.
Warning signs include:
- Receiving an offer without a genuine interview
- Being promised unusually high pay for basic work
- Being required to pay the employer for sponsorship
- Being asked to purchase equipment from a particular person
- Receiving messages from a free personal email account
- Being asked to send passport or bank information immediately
- Being told to pay a visa fee through a private payment service
- Being pressured to travel before verifying the employer
Research the company independently. Use contact information from the company’s verified website rather than the details in the job message. Contact the employer directly and confirm that the recruiter and position are real.
A job offer by itself does not provide authorization to work in the United States. Employment-based immigration normally involves specific filings and government approval.
Social Media Immigration Scams
Scammers use Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, Telegram, and other platforms to advertise immigration services.
They may post videos claiming that a new law allows everyone to obtain a work permit, Green Card, asylum, or citizenship. Some create false testimonials or copy videos from legitimate attorneys.
A high number of followers does not establish legal qualifications. Before accepting advice from social media, check the information against an official government source.
Do not send passport copies, birth certificates, immigration notices, Social Security numbers, account passwords, or payment details through an unverified social media account.
Scams Involving False Documents
A dishonest preparer may offer to create employment letters, marriage records, financial documents, asylum statements, medical records, or other evidence.
Submitting false documents can cause severe immigration consequences. The applicant may remain responsible for information submitted in their name even when another person prepared the application.
Never sign an application containing information that is false or that you do not understand. Review every page and supporting document before filing.
A scammer may tell the applicant that false information is normal or necessary for approval. That is a major warning sign. Seek independent legal advice before the document is submitted.
Blank Form and Signature Scams
An unauthorized preparer may ask an applicant to sign a blank form, claiming the answers will be completed later.
This gives the preparer an opportunity to add information the applicant did not provide or approve. The applicant may not discover the false or inaccurate answers until an interview, evidence request, or denial.
Never sign a blank or incomplete immigration form. Review the final version in a language you understand and obtain a complete copy before it is submitted.
If an interpreter or preparer helped complete the application, make sure the appropriate interpreter or preparer section is also completed when required.
Scams Involving Original Documents
A scammer may keep an applicant’s original passport, birth certificate, Green Card, employment authorization document, or other identification and demand additional payment before returning it.
Avoid giving original documents to anyone unless there is a legitimate reason and you understand when they will be returned. When possible, provide copies rather than originals.
If an agency requires an original document, follow the agency’s instructions. Keep a record of what was provided, to whom, and when.
Applicants preparing for a professional consultation can review our guide explaining what documents to bring to a lawyer consultation.
Immigration Identity-Theft Scams
Immigration applications contain valuable personal information, including names, addresses, birth dates, passport numbers, immigration identification numbers, financial records, and family details.
A scammer may use this information to open financial accounts, file fraudulent applications, impersonate the victim, or target relatives with additional scams.
Protect immigration records in the same way as financial documents. Use strong passwords, enable multifactor authentication when available, and avoid storing unprotected copies on shared devices.
If personal information has been stolen, the Federal Trade Commission’s official IdentityTheft.gov resource can help victims report identity theft and create a recovery plan.
Red Flags That May Indicate an Immigration Scam
Immigration scams differ, but many use similar tactics. Be cautious when someone:
- Contacts you unexpectedly
- Creates fear or demands an immediate decision
- Guarantees approval
- Claims to have government connections
- Requests payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency
- Refuses to provide a license or accreditation record
- Tells you to lie or hide information
- Asks you to sign blank documents
- Will not provide copies or receipts
- Uses a personal email address while claiming to represent the government
- Demands passwords for your immigration account
- Keeps original identity documents
- Claims there is a government fee to download a blank USCIS form
- Refuses to explain what application will be filed
- Says you should not discuss the matter with anyone else
One warning sign does not always prove fraud, but several warning signs should lead an applicant to stop and verify the situation independently.
How to Verify an Immigration Lawyer or Representative
Do not rely solely on advertisements, office signs, referrals, or social media profiles.
For an attorney, confirm the person’s full name and bar number with the official attorney-licensing authority. Check whether the license is active and whether disciplinary actions are listed.
For an accredited representative, verify both the individual and the recognized organization through the Department of Justice.
Ask for a written agreement that explains:
- Who will handle the case
- What services are included
- How much the services cost
- Which expenses are separate
- Whether representation includes interviews or court hearings
- How the client will receive copies and updates
- What happens if representation ends
Do not hire someone who refuses to identify the person actually responsible for the case.
How to Verify a Government Message
When a call, email, or text appears to come from an immigration agency, do not use the contact information contained in the message.
Instead:
- Visit the agency’s official
.govwebsite - Sign in to the official online account directly
- Check for matching notices
- Review the case status using the official receipt number
- Contact the agency through a verified number
- Ask a qualified lawyer to review suspicious correspondence
Do not provide information simply because the caller knows your name, address, or immigration category. Some personal information may have been obtained through data theft, public records, social media, or a previous scam.
How to Protect Yourself When Getting Immigration Help
Applicants can reduce their risk by remaining involved in every stage of the process.
Read forms before signing them, keep copies of all submissions, and store receipts and government notices safely. If the form is written in a language the applicant does not understand, use a trustworthy interpreter.
Government accounts should be created with an email address and telephone number controlled by the applicant. A preparer should not be the only person with access to the account.
The applicant should also know:
- Which immigration benefit is being requested
- Which forms are being submitted
- What information appears in the forms
- What evidence is included
- How much is being paid
- Where the application is being filed
- Which deadlines and appointments apply
- How to check the case independently
Someone who refuses to explain these details should not be trusted with the application.
What to Do If You Paid an Immigration Scammer
Act quickly, but do not destroy messages or other evidence.
Contact the bank, payment-card issuer, wire-transfer company, payment application, or gift-card company used for the transaction. Explain that the payment resulted from fraud and ask whether it can be stopped or reversed.
Preserve:
- Emails and text messages
- Social media conversations
- Telephone numbers and voicemails
- Advertisements
- Contracts and payment receipts
- Copies of forms
- Names and addresses used by the scammer
- Bank or transaction records
Report the scam through the Federal Trade Commission’s official ReportFraud website. State consumer-protection offices, state attorneys general, licensing authorities, or local law enforcement may also accept reports depending on what happened.
Reporting Unauthorized Immigration Practice
A person can report fraud, scams, or unauthorized practice affecting immigration court matters to the Department of Justice’s Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program.
Complaints involving a licensed attorney may also be reported to the authority responsible for the attorney’s license. Complaints involving an accredited representative may be reported through the Department of Justice procedures.
Keep evidence such as contracts, receipts, advertisements, and copies of documents. Specific information may help the appropriate agency evaluate the complaint.
What to Do If a Scammer Filed an Immigration Application
Discovering that a scammer filed an inaccurate or fraudulent application requires prompt attention.
Do not assume the problem can be fixed by filing another form or simply explaining the situation at an interview. The appropriate response depends on what was submitted, whether the applicant signed it, and how the information may affect eligibility.
Obtain a complete copy of the filing and all supporting evidence. If the preparer refuses to provide it, gather any available receipts, account records, notices, and communications.
Consult a qualified immigration lawyer before making corrections or contacting the government about potentially false information. A lawyer can review whether the application should be corrected, withdrawn, supplemented, or addressed in another way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration Scams
What Are the Most Common Immigration Scams?
Common immigration scams include notario fraud, fake lawyers, government impersonation calls, fraudulent websites, false Diversity Visa notifications, fake job offers, guaranteed-approval promises, unauthorized legal advice, and requests for payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency.
Can a Notary Public Provide Immigration Legal Advice?
A U.S. notary public is not automatically authorized to practice immigration law. Unless the person is also a licensed attorney or qualifying accredited representative, they generally cannot provide legal advice, determine eligibility, or represent someone in immigration court.
Does USCIS Call Applicants and Demand Payment?
USCIS does not unexpectedly call applicants and demand that immigration fees be sent to an individual through gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or similar methods. Anyone receiving such a demand should end the call and verify the matter through official USCIS channels.
Can an Immigration Lawyer Guarantee a Green Card?
No. A lawyer can evaluate eligibility, prepare documents, identify legal risks, and represent an applicant. The lawyer cannot guarantee that USCIS, the Department of State, an immigration judge, or another government authority will approve the case.
Are USCIS Forms Free?
Blank USCIS forms are available free of charge from the official USCIS website. Government filing fees may apply when the forms are submitted. Attorneys or authorized representatives may also charge professional fees for legal services.
How Can I Tell Whether an Immigration Website Is Official?
Official federal government websites generally end in .gov. Examine the complete address carefully, because fraudulent websites may include government agency names elsewhere in the URL. Access immigration accounts directly through a known government website instead of clicking an unexpected email or text link.
How Can I Check Whether an Immigration Lawyer Is Real?
Ask for the lawyer’s full name, licensing state, and bar number. Verify the information through the official licensing authority and confirm that the license is active and in good standing. You can also review the Department of Justice’s immigration-practitioner disciplinary records.
Where Can I Report an Immigration Scam?
Immigration scams can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Unauthorized practice or fraud affecting immigration court matters may be reported to the Department of Justice’s Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program. Depending on the circumstances, reports may also be made to a state attorney general, attorney-licensing authority, consumer-protection office, or law-enforcement agency.
Will Reporting a Scam Affect My Immigration Case?
The effect depends on the circumstances and what information or documents were submitted. Reporting fraud does not automatically resolve mistakes in an immigration filing. If the scammer prepared or filed an application, seek advice from a qualified immigration lawyer about protecting the pending case and correcting any inaccurate information.
Legal Note: Immigration laws, procedures, professional-licensing rules, and reporting options may vary according to the jurisdiction and individual circumstances. Government policies and scam methods can also change over time. This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice. If you believe a scammer has submitted documents in your name, taken your money, stolen your identity, or harmed your immigration case, consult a qualified immigration lawyer in your area and contact the appropriate government or law-enforcement agency.