California Secretary of State Alex Padilla announced this week a new effort to protect consumers seeking services from immigration consultants as a result of anticipated spikes in demand due to recent federal immigration actions.
As part of the new effort, Padilla launched new online resource portals that outline consumers’ rights as well as remind immigration consultants of their responsibilities and limitations pursuant to state law. In addition, Padilla directed the Secretary of State Business Programs Division to send letters to the 1,016 active immigration consultants registered in California informing them of their obligations as responsible practitioners.
For information on immigration consultants, consumers can visit sos.ca.gov/immigration-consultants.
The letter that will be sent to immigration consultants is available at bpd.cdn.sos.ca.gov/immigration-consultants/immigration-letter-english.pdf.
“Heightened anxieties due to unpredictable federal immigration policy is causing unease among California’s immigrant communities, leading many to seek help from immigration consultants,” Padilla said. “We want to inform consumers of their rights, while making sure immigration consultants understand and adhere to California law. With that goal, I am joining with immigrant rights organizations and the California Department of Justice to provide clear and concise information to those who provide and to those who seek services.”
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said the current anti-immigrant political climate makes immigration-services fraud more likely, as immigrants seek information and assistance and scam artists prey on their vulnerability.
“Unscrupulous immigration consultants prey on this vulnerable population across the state, stealing their hard-earned money and often jeopardizing their chances of obtaining viable forms of immigration relief,” Becerra said. “My team will continue to work collaboratively with the secretary of state, advocacy organizations and law enforcement to prosecute these consultants and ensure they are held accountable.”
The Secretary of State’s Office is launching a new online portal that outlines what an immigration consultant can and cannot do, and provides answers to frequently asked questions. The public can visit sos.ca.gov/immigration-consultants/ to learn more.
Consumers can also look up an immigration consultant’s status through the secretary of state’s online special filings tool at sos.ca.gov/business/sf/bond_search.
Through this tool, consumers can verify if a consultant has properly registered with the State, has the necessary bond coverage and is complying with the law. They can check if a consultant is active before seeking services to avoid doing business with individuals or companies operating without authorization.
A few of the limitations on immigration consultants include that they cannot: provide any sort of legal advice whatsoever; promise or guarantee results; charge for referrals to lawyers or other authorized immigration services providers; or advise clients which forms to use.
Immigrant rights groups joined Padilla in highlighting the importance of educating the public.
“It is always important to ensure vulnerable communities are not taken advantage of, especially during times of anxiety,” said Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “We applaud Secretary Padilla’s efforts to protect our communities from unscrupulous ‘immigration consultants’ who prey, cheat, and harm them.”
Source: Padilla’s office
