Are you a victim of “immigration fraud”? Do you want to know how to identify and avoid immigration service scams? Take the opportunity to call the New York City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) hotline next Wednesday from 6 pm to 8 pm for two hours to receive free legal advice and assistance, or to report immigration fraud to the government.
The anti-fraud hotline initiative is a collaboration between MOIA Director Manual Castro and the team, 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, “immigrant frauds” target activities related to New York immigrants and immigration legal services. Fraudsters could be lawyers or non-lawyers – they could even be scam phone calls threatening immigrants. The consequences for both fraudsters and victims are severe.
MOIA advises the public that if they need immigration legal advice, they should consult practicing lawyers or individuals and organizations approved by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) because many “immigrant assistance service providers” are not practicing lawyers and are not DOJ-approved to provide legal advice.
Due to the complexity of immigration law, MOIA reminds the public to be cautious of claims such as: there are ways to easily obtain a green card, obtain a work permit or visa immediately, no risks or consequences exist, or special influence on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In 2022, a 61-year-old undocumented man in New York City provided 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 by the court. The man used the “10-Year Green Card Scam,” falsely claiming to clients that even undocumented immigrants could obtain legal status by residing in the U.S. for over 10 years.
To learn more about MOIA’s information on “immigration fraud” tactics and related anti-fraud resources, visit: https://www.nyc.gov/site/immigrants/legal-resources/avoid-fraud.page
Apart from MOIA, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office with Alvin Bragg, and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) also provide hotlines to prevent immigration fraud.
1. Manhattan District Attorney’s Office for Immigration Affairs: 212-335-3600. Regardless of immigration status, if individuals believe they are victims of immigration fraud, they can call the hotline as soon as possible, where interpreters will assist non-English speakers.
2. DCWP hotline: 212-436-0186; email: [email protected]