Are you a victim of “immigration fraud”? Want to know how to identify and avoid immigration service scams? Don’t miss the opportunity to call the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) hotline next Wednesday, July 17th, from 6 PM to 8 PM, to receive free legal advice and assistance, and report any immigration fraud to the government.
The anti-fraud hotline event is a collaboration between the team of MOIA Director Manual Castro, the Office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, the New York State Office for New Americans, and Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New York. The hotline number is: 888-958-5264.
According to the MOIA website, “immigration fraud” targets activities related to New York immigration and immigration legal services. Fraudsters can be lawyers or non-lawyers – they might even use threatening phone calls to exploit immigrants. The consequences for both perpetrators and victims of fraud can be severe.
MOIA advises the public to consult practicing lawyers or individuals and organizations accredited by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for immigration legal advice. Many providers of “immigrant assistance services” are not practicing lawyers and lack DOJ accreditation, thus unable to offer legal counsel.
Due to the complexity of immigration law, MOIA cautions people to be wary of claims such as easy ways to obtain a green card, immediate work permits or visas, no risks or consequences, and special influence over the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In 2022, a 61-year-old unauthorized practitioner in New York City continued to provide legal advice to dozens of undocumented immigrants while his lawyer’s license was suspended, charging them thousands of dollars in legal fees. He was ultimately convicted of first-degree grand larceny for running a “10-Year Green Card Scam,” falsely promising clients that residing in the U.S. for over 10 years would grant even undocumented immigrants legal status.
For more information on tactics and resources to prevent “immigration fraud” provided by MOIA, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-fraud.page
Apart from MOIA, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office led by Alvin Bragg and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) also offer hotlines to prevent immigration fraud.
1. Manhattan District Attorney’s Immigration Affairs Division: 212-335-3600. Regardless of immigration status, individuals who believe they are victims of immigration fraud can call this hotline for assistance, with interpreters available for non-native English speakers.
2. DCWP Hotline: 212-436-0186; Email: [email protected]