LEGALIZATION PROJECT
RESOURCES FOR
DISCLAIMER: This handout is not legal advice. It is for educational and informational
purposes only. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney or an
accredited representative from a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized agency.
An undocumented person should not seek legal advice from a notario or an “immigration
consultant” who is not accredited by the BIA.
Beware of Notarios and Immigration Consultants who offer help filing applications
with the government. Many of these consultants have taken advantage of undocumented
immigrants by filing applications on behalf of undocumented foreign nationals without
verifying whether the individual is actually eligible for the immigration benefit. Congress has
not yet passed any law that authorizes the legalization of undocumented people! If a person
or business offers to file an application for legalization on behalf of an undocumented foreign
national, they may be putting that foreign national in danger of deportation.
We strongly suggest foreign nationals seek legal assistance only from a Board of Immigration
Appeals (BIA) recognized non-profit organization such as Catholic Charities or from a
licensed attorney.
If a notario or immigration consultant advertises himself or herself as providing immigration
legal services, then request proof of their authorization under federal law to practice
immigration law and verify whether the consultant’s organization is recognized by the BIA.
To verify whether the BIA recognizes an organization and to verify whether the BIA
accredited the staff of an organization to practice immigration law, view the rosters of BIA-
recognized agencies and accredited staff. The BIA updates these rosters periodically.If an
individual or an organization is not listed on the BIA roster of recognized agencies and
accredited staff, then the foreign national should take caution in seeking their legal services.
To obtain more information on BIA recognition and accreditation, please visit the Web site of
the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
purposes only. If you need legal advice, consult a licensed immigration attorney or an
accredited representative from a Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) recognized agency.
An undocumented person should not seek legal advice from a notario or an “immigration
consultant” who is not accredited by the BIA.
Beware of Notarios and Immigration Consultants who offer help filing applications
with the government. Many of these consultants have taken advantage of undocumented
immigrants by filing applications on behalf of undocumented foreign nationals without
verifying whether the individual is actually eligible for the immigration benefit. Congress has
not yet passed any law that authorizes the legalization of undocumented people! If a person
or business offers to file an application for legalization on behalf of an undocumented foreign
national, they may be putting that foreign national in danger of deportation.
We strongly suggest foreign nationals seek legal assistance only from a Board of Immigration
Appeals (BIA) recognized non-profit organization such as Catholic Charities or from a
licensed attorney.
If a notario or immigration consultant advertises himself or herself as providing immigration
legal services, then request proof of their authorization under federal law to practice
immigration law and verify whether the consultant’s organization is recognized by the BIA.
To verify whether the BIA recognizes an organization and to verify whether the BIA
accredited the staff of an organization to practice immigration law, view the rosters of BIA-
recognized agencies and accredited staff. The BIA updates these rosters periodically.If an
individual or an organization is not listed on the BIA roster of recognized agencies and
accredited staff, then the foreign national should take caution in seeking their legal services.
To obtain more information on BIA recognition and accreditation, please visit the Web site of
the United States Department of Justice, Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR).
415 Michigan Ave., NE
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
e-mail
(202) 635-5810
Suite 150
Washington, DC 20017
202.635.2556
202.635.2649 fax
media inquiries:
(202) 635-5810
NOTE: This webpage
was launched in June
2006 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
Legalization Questions?
CONTACT Mirna Torres
was launched in June
2006 and continues to
be updated. Please
check the webpage
often for new
information.
Legalization Questions?
CONTACT Mirna Torres
RESOURCES
BEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD "There is no
Legalization!! There is no Amnesty!!" doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
WHO CAN HELP WITH IMMIGRATION MATTERS?
doc | pdf
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST NOTARIOS AND
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS doc | pdf
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IMMIGRATION
CONSULTANT FRAUD doc | pdf
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT FRAUD
Basic Information & What You Can Do if You
Are a Victim of Fraud doc | pdf
BEWARE OF IMMIGRATION FRAUD "There is no
Legalization!! There is no Amnesty!!" doc | pdf
-In Spanish (en espanol) doc | pdf
-In Creole doc | pdf
WHO CAN HELP WITH IMMIGRATION MATTERS?
doc | pdf
FILING COMPLAINTS AGAINST NOTARIOS AND
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANTS doc | pdf
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IMMIGRATION
CONSULTANT FRAUD doc | pdf
IMMIGRATION CONSULTANT FRAUD
Basic Information & What You Can Do if You
Are a Victim of Fraud doc | pdf
NATIONAL PROGRAMS | LEGALIZATION | ADVOCACY | RELIGIOUS IMMIGRATION SERVICES | ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT | TRAINING & TECHNICAL SUPPORT
HOME | CONTACT US | E-MAIL LIST | DONATE NOW