San Diego Immigration Lawyer Warns That Notarios, Visa Consultants, and Immigration Consultants are Not Attorneys

“Notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants cannot represent you in immigration court.

• “Notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants cannot provide legal services or give legal advice.
• Bonded immigration consultants in California can translate information, get copies, and file forms.

Only licensed attorneys and “accredited representatives” can represent you in immigration court, can provide legal services, and can give legal advice.

• “Notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants are not “accredited representatives.”
• The Immigration Court Practice Manual, Chapter 2, explains who can represent you.

You can ask to see the manual at the immigration court’s filing window, or find it on the Internet at www.usdoj.gov/eoir.

• DO NOT sign applications or other papers that are blank.
• DO NOT sign applications or other papers that you do not understand.
• DO NOT sign applications or other papers that have false information.
• DO NOT pay money without getting a receipt, and be careful when people ask you to pay a lot of money for immigration help.
• DO get copies of all applications or other papers prepared or filed for you.
• DO check that an attorney or “accredited representative” can represent you in immigration court. (See Chapter 2 of the Immigration Court Practice Manual.)
• DO report complaints about “notarios,” visa consultants, and immigration consultants to the California Department of Justice, Office of Immigrant Assistance, tel. 1-888-587-0557.