Some scams specifically target immigrant families, exploiting hope, fear, language barriers, and confusion about how the U.S. system works. You deserve to know about them clearly, without fear-mongering, because most of them fall apart the moment you know the rules. (One note up front: this is general education, not legal advice. For your specific situation, talk to a qualified professional. Below, we'll point you to the legitimate, low-cost ones.)

This one runs on a real translation mix-up. In many Latin American countries, a notario público is a highly trained legal professional who can give legal advice. In the United States, a notary public is something completely different: a person authorized to witness signatures, nothing more. A U.S. notary is not a lawyer and cannot legally give immigration advice or represent you. Scammers exploit exactly this confusion, advertising as 'notarios' and charging families for immigration 'help' they aren't qualified to give. Often they file the wrong paperwork and do real damage to people's cases.

In the U.S., a notary public is not a lawyer and cannot give immigration advice. If someone offers immigration help as a 'notario,' that alone is a warning sign. Stop and find qualified help instead.

Fake calls from 'Immigration,' 'USCIS,' the IRS, or police

You may get a call from someone claiming to be from USCIS, 'Immigration,' the IRS, or the police, saying there's a problem with your case or your taxes and that you'll be arrested or deported unless you pay right now, by gift card or . It can be terrifying, and that fear is the entire point. It's a scam. Real government business arrives through official mail and proper channels, not a panicked phone call with a deadline of 'in the next hour' and a demand for gift cards. These are the same pressure tactics behind every fraud; How to Spot a Scam walks through the full list.

Tip
If a call like this scares you, hang up. Don't pay, don't give information, and don't trust the number on your screen; scammers fake those easily. If you're worried it might be real, contact the agency through its official website or phone number, which you look up yourself.

'Pay me and I'll fix your status' schemes

Be deeply wary of anyone who guarantees an outcome (a visa, a green card, a work permit) in exchange for a fee. No one can promise the government's decision; immigration cases depend on the law and the facts, not on who you pay. Watch, too, for people who charge you for government forms that are actually free, or who ask you to sign documents you don't understand or can't read. A genuine helper explains things, never rushes you, and never sells a guarantee.

Where the real help is

Legitimate, often low-cost or free help genuinely exists. The key is making sure the person is actually authorized to give immigration legal advice.

  • A licensed immigration attorney: a real lawyer, whose good standing you can verify.
  • A DOJ accredited representative: a non-lawyer specifically authorized by the U.S. Department of Justice to give immigration advice at a recognized nonprofit organization.
  • Nonprofit legal-aid organizations: many offer immigration help for free or on a sliding scale. They're a trustworthy place to start.
  1. 1Before paying anyone, ask: are you a licensed attorney or a ? A real one will answer plainly.
  2. 2Never pay someone who guarantees a result or pressures you to decide fast.
  3. 3Never sign documents you can't read or don't understand. Ask for a translation and time to review.
  4. 4Keep copies of everything you file and every receipt you're given.

Only a licensed attorney or a DOJ accredited representative can legally give you immigration advice, and no honest one will ever guarantee an outcome for a fee. When in doubt, walk away and find a nonprofit organization.

Knowing these few rules (a notary isn't a lawyer, the government won't demand gift cards, no one can guarantee a case) takes away almost everything these scammers rely on. If someone has already taken your money, What to Do If You've Been Scammed covers reporting and next steps. And when you do need real help, qualified, affordable people are out there to give it.