The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), also known as the Immigration Bureau, announced on Thursday (September 17) that they had participated in an investigation that led to the indictment and arrest of an immigration lawyer in the Houston area.
According to the announcement, Alla Nowowiejski, 44 years old, faces charges of mail fraud and making false statements, all related to her work as an immigration lawyer. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas disclosed these charges.
The indictment alleges that Nowowiejski collected fees from clients to assist them in establishing or adjusting work identities and applying for work visas. However, it is claimed that she either never submitted applications or only partially submitted them.
The indictment also accuses Nowowiejski of providing clients with immigration documents or reference numbers that were unrelated to them or falsified, leading clients to believe that the immigration authorities were processing their applications.
If convicted, Nowowiejski could face up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.
It is important to note that an indictment is merely a formal accusation of a crime and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty through the legal process.
The investigation was carried out in collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General and the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Immigration Bureau and the Harris County Constable’s Office in Precinct 1.
According to the Houston Chronicle, the criminal charges involve two specific clients, but authorities believe there may be potentially over 100 victims in Harris County. The report also mentioned allegations that Nowowiejski instructed clients to submit unnecessary vaccine records, falsely claiming it was a requirement by the immigration authorities.
This case serves as a reminder to immigration clients: whether it’s for work visas, identity adjustment, extensions, labor certifications, or other immigration services, clients should demand written contracts, receipts, proof of case submissions, and receipt numbers that can be verified in official systems from their lawyers. Verbal assurances from lawyers or intermediaries alone are not sufficient to confirm that applications have been submitted. Clients should also keep records of all payments, document submissions, and communications.