In many immigrant communities in the United States, there are people that prey on the vulnerable and misinformed.  For instance, in many Latino communities, there are individuals called “notarios” that handle legal filings and claim to be able to file immigration related paperwork.  Notarios are not uncommon in many Latin and South American countries and, in many respects, are the functional equivalent of paralegals.  Given their familiarity with what notarios can do in their home countries, many unsuspecting people trust them to handle important legal matters in the United States. 

It is important to note, there is nothing illegal or improper with being a notario.  And, in fact, in many immigrant communities there are notarios that do important work on behalf of people that may not otherwise be able to afford a lawyer.  However, scamming people by charging exorbitant fees for worthless services or services that the notario is not qualified to perform can constitute a crime. 

Most immigration services fraud cases are prosecuted under traditional federal mail and wire fraud statutes. In some instances, immigration services fraud can also be prosecuted under state laws.  For instance, practicing law without a valid license is a crime in most states.  The federal government comes down especially hard in immigration services fraud cases because there are usually identifiable victims that have been cheated or been taken advantage of in a significant way.  These are cases that have significant jury appeal from the government’s perspective because they involve sympathetic victims.