On Monday, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón’s office released a warning to immigrants, including those living in Santa Clarita, regarding fraud and scams.
According to Gascón, those seeking immigration assistance need to be cautious of malicious advisers promising work permits, citizenship and release from immigration detention.
https://twitter.com/LADAOffice/status/1424774416253083648
Immigration consultants, sometimes referred to as “notarios”, are not licensed to practice immigration law or authorized to give legal advice, according to officials.
Some of them target vulnerable immigrants offering services that either are not delivered or fail to help their intended needs, taking advantage of their situation.
Victims not only get defrauded but suffer irreparable harm to their legal status as a result of the scam, according to D.A. officials.
“Immigrants play a profound role in shaping the character of life in Los Angeles County. As someone who came to this country at age 13, I know the vulnerabilities of our newest residents, particularly those who do not speak English,” Gascón said.
In L.A. County, the number of immigration scam complaints prior to 2019 was steadily increasing, and almost doubled from 147 complaints in 2017 to 279 complaints in 2018.
Some tips from the D.A.’s office:
- Consult with a licensed or accredited immigration lawyer
- Check the consultant’s references
- Know and review what documents are being filed on your behalf, especially if you sign your name to it
- Obtain a copy of the consultant’s identification along with a written contract and payment receipts
To report immigration and other kinds of fraud, call the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer and Business Affairs at 800-593-8222.
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to newstip@hometownstation.com. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email Corrections@hometownstation.com
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment