In the days since President Barack Obama announced his decision to take executive action on certain immigration policies, there will likely be an increase in scams targeting those who are interested in avoiding deportation under the new plan.
According to an article in the Austin American-Statesman on Monday, Mexican authorities and Austin-area attorneys are warning the public against using fraudulent notarios and other individuals who act as lawyers but are not licensed. It will take several months before immigrants in the United States can even apply for work permits under Obama’s plan, so people should be cautious when paying for such quick legal assistance.
In August, amid the unaccompanied minor situation along the Texas-Mexico border, the State Bar of Texas similarly warned the public against using notarios and others who falsely represent themselves as lawyers. To read that press release, which has additional information on notario fraud, go to http://www.texasbar.com/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Press_Releases&Template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=26689. The State Bar’s Web page on immigration legal resources is available at texasbar.com/immigration.