DREAMers Are Targets Of Immigration Scams

By Victor Landa, NewsTaco Editor

It hasn’t yet been a month and already the scammers have come out.

There are reports that DREAMers have been targeted by immigration scams; unscrupulous folks who claim to help undocumented students and others eligible under President Obama’s recent immigration deferment directive, for $3000. The trouble is that it’s still too early to know the procedures or the costs of the deferment.

The Rio Grande Guardian reports:

 La Unión del Pueblo Entero is hearing horror stories about unscrupulous immigration attorneys and notary publics telling immigrant students they must pay $4,000 to move ahead with deferred action.

The President’s Administrative Relief initiative was signed on June 15 and since then immigration advocacy agencies across the country have been gearing up for the next steps. But no one is as yet ready to begin any process because the processes have yet to be established.

“That is just terrible because people are being scammed. No one knows how much it will cost. The government has not said. The President said he will issue guidance within 60 days so we will not know anything until August.”

Terrible is putting it lightly. And yet, are we surprised? The undocumented have always been the targets of scams and scammers because, by their own design, they live outside of the reach and boundaries of the law. They’re easy prey. Add to that the excitement over the President’s directive and you get a field ripe for the picking.

So what can you do? Carry the correct information with you and share it when possible or needed:

• The particulars about the forms and fees will not be known until August – any early price quote is misleading and likely a scam
• And as far as the eligibility is concerned, the eligible must:
  • Have come to the United States under the age of 16;
  • Have continuously resided in the United States for at least five years preceding the date of this memorandum and are present in the United States on the date of this memorandum; (June 15, 2012)
  • Currently be in school, have graduated from high school, have obtained a general education development certificate, or are honorably discharged veterans of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States;
  • Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety;
  • Not be above the age of 30

And one important thing to keep in mind and repeat as often as it comes up: Notary Public’s are not authorized to practice law and should not be considered authorities on immigration matters.