The Department of Homeland Security and The U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services
The Department of Homeland Security and The U.S. Citizens and Immigration Services launched an initiative to unite community organizations to prevent and combat immigration fraud. The first in a series of educational events in New York City was held on December 8, when federal officials invited several hundred community organizations to receive training at the Federal Building in Lower Manhattan. The training targeted at ethnic groups, including Chinese, teaches how to distinguish fraudulent behavior and how to report unauthorized immigration services and prevent their community members from becoming victims of immigration fraud.
USCIS New York District Director Andrea Quarantillo said that New York City is the first city where the federal government is working with the community to prevent immigration fraud. It recognizes the importance of prosecuting those who commit immigration fraud. She pointed out that those who do not know the laws or who intentionally defraud others cause serious and irreversible consequences for those applicants. Those who charge fees irresponsibly increase the financial burden of the applicants.
Saily Blavuet, the assistant director of public affairs at USCIS, pointed out that attacking immigration fraud needs the participation of the community. On December 9th, the USCIS conducted similar events in Detroit, San Antonio, Baltimore and other areas, hoping to help applicants to connect with the proper immigration services and to allow community organizations to serve as intermediaries between the INS and immigrants. It hopes to provide more practical information to immigrants.
Quarantillo said that she welcomes community organizations and the public to provide feedback and suggestion as to how to prevent immigration fraud. Letters can be sent to Community Relations Officer, Shyconia Burden, USCIS, 26 Federal Plaza, NY 10278. The email address is Shyconia.Burden@dhs.gov.
In addition, the Executive Office for Immigration Review is charged with the prosecution of illegal immigration services. Any service violating rules and regulation will get its license suspended and be fined. The public can use the website www.justice.gov/eoir/profcond/chart.htm to research the subject.
At the Dec. 8 meeting, the INS explained and discussed issues of fraud with immigrant representatives. It also provided materials on preventing immigration fraud in English and other languages. It emphasized that immigration lawyers and other services must have a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) license to operate. Immigration officials also reminded applicants not to sign any blank document or anything they don’t understand. They should not sign anything with a disclaimer or if information appears inaccurate. They must obtain a receipt of any payment made and get copies of every document. They should verify the licenses of the immigration attorney and immigration service centers. They can report anyone who commits immigration fraud to the INS, the state bar association, or the District Attorney’s office. To prevent immigration fraud, they can call 800 375-5383 for information or go on www.uscis.gov/immigrationpractice.
By Xia Tao, World Journal, 9 December 2010. Translated from Chinese by Connie Yik Kong.