LOS ANGELES -- Attorney General Kamala D. Harris urges you to be careful if a tax preparer offers to help you prepare and file your immigration forms or asks you to pay fines directly to them. Individuals and businesses that prepare tax returns may not be authorized to assist you with immigration services.
The only people authorized to give you legal advice on immigration are licensed attorneys and representatives accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals. Attorneys and accredited representatives are the only ones authorized to:
• Explain which immigration options may be available to you;
• Advise you about which forms to submit; and
• Communicate with USCIS about your case.
Getting immigration help from unauthorized individuals and businesses can:
• Delay the processing of a case;
• Cost unnecessary fees; and
• Possibly lead to deportation proceedings.
Consumers can report suspected immigration scams to the Office of the Attorney General. To file a Complaint with our office, use one of the following complaint forms:
English: http://oag.ca.gov/contact/consumer-complaint-against-business-or-company
You may also visit http://www.uscis.gov/avoidscams (English) or http://www.uscis.gov/eviteestafas (Spanish) to learn how to recognize and avoid immigration scams and find authorized legal services.