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AILA’s Stop Notario Fraud/UPL Efforts. Michelle Singleton Practice & Professionalism Center msingleton@aila.org. Outreach & Education. AILA created www.StopNotarioFraud.org in 2010 A multilingual resource designed to prevent consumers from falling prey to immigration fraud
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AILA’s Stop Notario Fraud/UPL Efforts Michelle Singleton Practice & Professionalism Center msingleton@aila.org
Outreach & Education • AILA createdwww.StopNotarioFraud.orgin 2010 • A multilingual resource designed to prevent consumers from falling prey to immigration fraud • Information for victims who need help or want competent, affordable legal service providers in their state • A useful resource for attorneys who assist victims
The Fight Against Immigration Fraud • First, prevention by hiring the right help • Resources on how to hire immigration assistance • Consumer education • Increasing resources for victims of fraud • Filing complaints • Pursuing legal action • Difficulty of immigration relief
The AILA Effort • Identify, Report & Investigate Fraud • FAQ’s from StopNotarioFraud.org • Reporting Scams/Fraud • FTC & Local Consumer Protection Agencies • State Attorneys General or State Bar • EOIR (Attorneys, BIA Reps) http://www.justice.gov/eoir/SubmitAComplaint.htm • Local Business Licensing Authority • AILA National Committee/Chapter UPL Liaisons • Identify Victims • Encourage Reporting • Assist with Referral
Resources for Victims: Filing Complaints • Avenues to pursue complaints: • File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission through Consumer Sentinel • File a civil complaint under state consumer protection laws • File a complaint to state attorney general offices or local prosecutors • (For a partial list of contacts go to http://www.stopnotariofraud.org/get-help.php) • File complaint to state bar associations, where possible to committees on the unauthorized practice of law (“UPL”) • Some of these options may require the assistance of an attorney. • ABA hotline: 202-442-3363, 9-5, Monday through Friday, English and Español
Immigration Relief for Victims -Motion to reopen where a deportation order has been entered against the applicant (from Judge) -Motion to subpoena the notario (from Judge) -Prosecutorial discretion (from ICE Office of Chief Counsel) -U visa (from local law enforcement and USCIS)
Resources on Hiring Legal Assistance • EOIR list of free legal service providers: http://www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/states.htm • BIA accredited organizations: • http://www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.html • IAN’s ImmigrationLawHelp.org: http://www.immigrationlawhelp.org • Private attorneys: http://www.ailalawyer.com/ Many local bar associations offer referral options. ABA - ABA Fight Notario Fraud Project accepts referrals for pro bono civil litigation
Free Consumer Education Resources • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Has flyers, brochures, wallet cards, and recordings in multiple languages. Can be bulk ordered. • http://www.ftc.gov/immigration • http://www.consumer.gov/articles/1017-scams-against-immigrants • The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) has a toolkit http://www.ilrc.org/policy-advocacy/anti-fraud-campaign • Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC): Has a series of publications that can be printed out for distribution. • http://cliniclegal.org/resources/notario-and-immigration-consultant-fraud-resources • AILA has resources including short video clips discussing notario fraud: • http://www.stopnotariofraud.org/
Electronic Platforms • Website Available in English, Spanish Chinese and Polish- link your community • Companion Facebook page launched in 2012 • www.facebook.com/stopnotariofraud
Spread the Word! The Truth About Notarios: http://youtu.be/ttOkRqMkmWs La VerdadAcerca de Los Notarios: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQmzwOz9w1A