USCIS: Avoid Immigration Scams
immigration scams · unauthorized practitioners · government impersonation · payments
Source reviewed 2026-10-01Fear sells fast. Real legal work leaves a record.
“We Can Fix Your Status”: Immigration Scam Red Flags
Red flags for Polish-speaking immigrants dealing with fake government officials, unauthorized practitioners, purchased sponsorship, guaranteed results, social-media solicitations, and suspicious payment demands.
Short answer
USCIS warns that only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives working through DOJ-recognized organizations are authorized to provide immigration legal advice. Guarantees, fake government contacts, pressure to pay an individual, secret “sponsors,” or demands for sensitive data through social media are reasons to slow down and verify.
On this page
First question: who is actually giving the legal advice?
Verify the attorney’s license or the accredited representative and recognized organization. A preparer, consultant, friend, social-media personality, translator, or “notario” is not automatically authorized to choose immigration strategy.
A payment method can expose the scam before the paperwork does
USCIS warns about people impersonating government officials and about requests to send government fees to an individual or through improper channels. Separate the legal fee, government fee, and any legitimate third-party expense.
A job or sponsor for sale is not the same as lawful employer sponsorship
A legitimate employment case requires a real employer, real job or qualifying petitioner, and evidence that fits the category. Paying someone merely to “lend” a sponsor can create fraud, labor, tax, and immigration problems.
Real representation should be documentable
Keep the engagement agreement, receipts, copies of every filing, receipt numbers, government notices, and the full name of the person responsible for the case. Do not surrender control of your own immigration record.
Frequently asked questions
Can someone guarantee my Green Card or citizenship?
No honest practitioner can guarantee a government adjudication. Eligibility, discretion, evidence, background checks, agency review, and changing law all matter.
Is a notario or immigration consultant allowed to give legal advice?
Only authorized practitioners can provide immigration legal advice. USCIS directs people to licensed attorneys or accredited representatives working through DOJ-recognized organizations.
Should I send my passport and A-Number through a social-media DM?
Treat unsolicited requests for sensitive identity data as a red flag. Verify the person, organization, secure communication method, and reason before sharing protected information.
Official sources supporting this page
Primary sources for the rules and procedures discussed here.
Find Legal Representation
attorneys · accredited representatives · recognized organizations · legal services
Source reviewed 2026-10-01Start with the record, not the rumor
Bring the notices, filings, identity documents, court papers, travel history, criminal records if relevant, and the next deadline. The legal answer often turns on one date, one prior order, or one document that a headline cannot see.
Important legal and service limitations
General U.S. immigration information only. This page is not legal advice, does not create an attorney-client relationship, and does not guarantee eligibility, admission, approval, release, status, citizenship, or any other result.