News Links
Efforts by bar associations, universities, community-based groups, government agencies, and media organizations are chronicled here to help inform the American public of the costly and pervasive problems caused by notarios:
- VICTORY! Texas Judge grants permanent injunction against unlawful immigration consulting firm, ordering close to $700k in civil penalties and restitution fund for victims, which could become over a million dollars if judgement is violated.
- AILA shares useful Public Service Announcement materials in advance of Comprehensive Immigration Reform passage - Cautions against notario fraud and other schemes
- Tucson Sentinel shares warning: Attorneys, advocates to immigrants: Beware of notario fraud!
- Experts say the increase in unlicensed notarios targeting the immigrant community is a byproduct of immigration reform talk.
- "Tax Preparer"/Notario operation shut down & fined over $50k in Oregon. Clients will get restitution as the AG determines these scams a priority issue in her state.
- Busted and behind bars! Sacramento immigration consultant & 13 others found guilty in Federal indictment after being caught running an elaborate scam involving marriages to foreign nationals.
- Breaking News! Unlicensed Practice of Law Boosted to Felony in NY
- Head of former Los Angeles law firm sentenced to ten months in prison for 13 year employment visa fraud scam.
- Secretary of State To Crack Down On Illegal Advertising To Immigrant Communities - NY's Attorney General will begin imposing sanctions in early December against violators of new rule.
- GUILTY! Both owner & manager of a Missouri immigration services scheme will face 20 yrs, $250k in fines for defrauding victims, US Department of Justice announces.
- DREAMers Beware - Notarios are already on the prowl, and they want to take advantage of YOU! - take a look at this Politic365 article full of great tips and advice from immigration experts!
- Epic Justice! NY- State's Attorney accepts guilty plea in what is being called the largest immigration fraud scheme in US history - top dog will spend up to 25 yrs. in prison, $2.5m in restitution.
- NC Immigration Consultant Sentenced to 57 Months in prison for bilking hundreds of illegal immigrants in criminal scheme, as reported in the News & Observer.
- Read Minneapolis, MN CityPages cover story, "The Lothario Notario," revealing how a man allegedly scammed undocumented immigrants with false promises of citizenship, and his road to prosecution.
- The Truth About Notarios: an article in Oregon's El Hispanic News explains why immigration law "...is not a field for dabblers."
- Diversity Visa Lottery Scams: Know your rights! Read the Rules, Avoid the Rip-Offs
- USCIS warns consumers against falling for online copycats.
- Read the NY Daily News Article about avoiding immigration scams in the wake of the August 18, 2011 DHS Announcement
- The ILRC has produced several comic books to prevent immigration fraud. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center has developed a unique way to share the dangers of notario fraud with members of the public. The comics are free to the public.
- The University of Pennsylvania Law School has produced an excellent video “American Dream Shattered” about Chinese immigrants and notarios within that community
- NY Attorney General Sues Immigration Services Companies for Defrauding Haitians.
- Fox News in Austin, TX reports on the dangers of using notarios
- Article explaining the differences between a Texas Notary Public vs. Mexico Notario Publico, published by Texas Secretary of State
- Robert Mejia Sentenced to 11 Years for Immigration Fraud
- WA Attorney General Cracks Down on Notario, Fines Imposed.
- WI Appeals Court Allows Claim Against Notarios
- Maryland Attorney General And Other AGs Join Historic, Nationwide Notario Crackdown - Watch Video
