Friday, August 07, 2009

Opinion: Legal immigrants need better protection from scams

Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Sen. Edward Kennedy have introduced legislation to penalize companies who are defrauding immigrants in connection with federal immigration laws. These scams are delaying or ruining these peoples' chance for citizenship. - - Donna Poisl

By H. Thomas Wells Jr., Special to the Mercury News

It's hard to stay one step ahead of crime. Schemers always seem to be on the prowl for their next opportunity. In particular, citizens of other nations who are eager to immigrate lawfully to the United States can fall victim to people who offer solutions that are too good to be true.

Often these people call themselves notarios or notarios publicos. In some Latin American nations, the term "notario público" refers to a highly educated, closely regulated expert in the law. Here, however, the term's literal translation, notary public, refers to a clerical position, and U.S. notaries are not authorized to give legal advice.

While accredited immigration consultants offer legitimate services, unethical consultants or notarios take advantage of those who think the word means "licensed lawyer," or someone authorized to handle immigration matters.
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