Reviewed as of November 8, 2026. Immigration rules change; check the official sources below for current information.
Immigration information is everywhere: social media, videos, group chats, and advertisements. Some of it is wrong, and some of it is designed to take your money. Knowing where to check information, and who is actually qualified to help, protects both your case and your wallet.
This article is general education only. It is not legal advice. Rights during encounters with law enforcement can depend on the situation and on state and local law, and the short summary below stays general on purpose.
Start with official sources
For forms, fees, filing addresses, and case rules, the official source is U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at uscis.gov. For visas and consular information, it is the Department of State at travel.state.gov. For immigration court hearings, it is the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), which runs a hearing information line and case status system. If a claim on social media conflicts with these sources, trust the official source and ask a qualified professional before acting.
Be careful with deadlines you read online. Many immigration deadlines depend on your own notices and your own case, not on a date in a post.
Who is qualified to help
In the United States, only two kinds of helpers are authorized to give immigration legal advice and represent you:
- Licensed attorneys who are members of a state bar. You can verify a lawyer’s license with the state bar where they practice.
- DOJ-recognized organizations with accredited representatives. The Department of Justice keeps a public roster of recognized organizations and accredited representatives, organized by state. These organizations, often nonprofits, provide low-cost or free help, and their accredited representatives are trained and authorized for immigration work.
Translators, travel agents, tax preparers, and immigration consultants may help you fill in forms with your own words, but they are not authorized to give legal advice, choose your strategy, or represent you.
The notario problem
In many countries, a notario or notary public is a highly trained legal professional. In the United States, a notary public is only authorized to witness signatures. Scammers use this confusion. Calling oneself a notario, notario publico, or immigration consultant does not make a person a lawyer, and advice from an unauthorized person has harmed many families: wrong forms filed, deadlines missed, fees lost, and in the worst cases, removal proceedings started by a bad filing.
Warning signs of a scam
- Promises of a guaranteed result, a work permit, or a green card for everyone
- Pressure to sign today, or to sign blank or incomplete forms
- Fees in cash only, with no receipt or written contract
- Refusing to give you copies of what was filed, or keeping your original documents
- Telling you to lie on a form, use a different name, or hide facts from the government
- Advertising a new secret law or special access to government officials
Safe habits that protect you
Get a written agreement that lists the services and the total cost. Keep copies of everything filed on your behalf, and ask for the government receipt notices for your case. Never sign a form you have not read and understood. Never sign a blank form. Pay in a way that leaves a record. Store your original documents yourself and give copies, not originals, unless the government specifically requires an original at an appointment.
Basic rights, in general terms
Everyone in the United States, regardless of immigration status, has certain constitutional rights. In general terms, these include the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer you hire yourself; in immigration matters, the government does not appoint a lawyer for you. Rules are different at the border and at immigration checkpoints. For practical know-your-rights cards in many languages, see the Immigrant Legal Resource Center Red Cards and the ACLU Know Your Rights: Immigrants’ Rights.
How to report fraud
- Report fraud to the Federal Trade Commission
- Report immigration scams through USCIS
- EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program
- Your state attorney general
Reporting helps protect others. If you were harmed by an unauthorized practitioner, ask a qualified attorney or DOJ-recognized organization about options.
Keep learning with Center for Global Living
Explore more plain-language guides in our learning resources, and share this article with family and friends so they can spot scams too. Questions about our educational resources? Contact Center for Global Living.
Sources
- USCIS: Avoid scams and unauthorized practice of immigration law
- U.S. Department of Justice, EOIR: Recognized organizations and accredited representatives roster
- Federal Trade Commission: Report fraud
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center: know-your-rights materials
Disclaimer
This article is educational information from Center for Global Living, a nonprofit organization. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have a deadline, a hearing, or contact with immigration officers, speak promptly with a qualified immigration attorney or a DOJ-recognized organization.