Beware of Immigration Scams: Immigration Lawyers in Utah are Licensed to Help
Immigration scams are illegal. Choosing the right person to help you with your immigration is just as important as filling out the correct forms the right way. Sadly, there are scammers who take advantage of immigrants trying to figure out the intricacies of the immigration process. Immigration lawyers in Utah care licensed with the state bar and can help you with your immigration issues.
Here are several important things you should do to avoid a scam.
Never pay for blank government forms, they are free at the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) website.
Make sure immigration information you get from websites is official and is from U.S. government websites that end in dot gov (.gov). Scammers sometimes set up similar websites, but they will not end in dot gov.
Make sure the person you get immigration advice from is licensed to help you. Attorneys and accredited representatives are the only people authorized to give legal immigration advice. The Utah State Bar has a list of the licensed immigration lawyers in Utah. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) at the Department of Justice keeps a list of accredited representatives.
Beware of notarios and notary publics, they cannot give legal advice and charge lots of money for services that can hurt your chances for immigration.
Never sign a form before it has been filled out, or a form that contains false information. This is good advice for all legal matters and not just immigration.
Do not let anyone keep your original documents like your passport or birth certificate. Scammers often make you pay to get your documents back.
Keep a copy of the forms you submit as well as the receipt you get back from USCIS when you submit your paperwork.
If you have seen or been the victim of an immigration scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission or the attorney general of your state. Or, if you need help figuring out the immigration process and filing forms, contact an immigration attorney Utah immigrants can trust for help with immigration issues.
The immigration lawyers in Utah at the law firm of Shumway Van & Hansen always offers free consultations so if you need legal help please call us at (801) 478-8080 or stop by our Salt Lake City offices which are located at 8 East Broadway #550, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.