Don’t Rely on a Notary for Help with Your Deportation Case

Many immigrants facing deportation proceedings are panicked and don’t know what to do. Some turn to social media for answers. Unfortunately, social media platforms like Facebook are often crawling with scammers who use deceptive ads to defraud immigrants of their savings.

One of the worst scams involves a notary public falsely presenting themselves as an attorney. In many Latin American countries, a “notario” is someone who has obtained the equivalent of a law license and can represent clients in legal matters. But a notary public in the United States is much different. Always ensure that you only hire an experienced and qualified immigration lawyer.

A Notary is Not a Lawyer in the U.S.

In many Latin American and European countries, a “notario” can provide legal services to the public. Many migrants assume that a “notary public” in the U.S. is the same—which is a significant mistake.

Notaries in the United States simply verify the signatures on documents. For example, a person buying a home might need to sign several documents. They go to a notary, who looks at their ID (like a driver’s license) to confirm their identity. The notary then notarizes the document, which means they have confirmed the signer’s identity.

That’s all notaries do in the United States. They cannot provide legal advice or representation unless they are licensed lawyers in a state. Sadly, too many migrants are being ripped off because they think a notary in the U.S. has similar powers to those back home. They pay notaries thousands of dollars for legal “help,” which the notary public cannot provide.

Watch Out for Scams

Social media has made it easier for scammers to prey on victims, in particular immigrants who are not familiar with the U.S. legal system. Recent media reports indicate that countless migrants have hired notaries posing as lawyers for assistance with their deportation proceedings. They end up paying thousands of dollars, only to end up with no legal defense. The notary stops responding to their messages, and at that point many migrants realize they have been scammed.

Don’t look for a lawyer on Facebook or TikTok. Instead, you can make sure your lawyer is fully qualified by having a bar license issued by the state where they are working. Also schedule an in-person interview so you can see that they run a legitimate law office.

Contact Empowerment Legal, PLLC. Our immigration attorney, Sidonie Parr, is a Florida licensed lawyer who defends clients facing deportation proceedings. You can schedule your individual one-on-one consultation by calling our office.

Reach Out to Our Law Firm for Accurate, Timely Advice

Empowerment Legal provides immigration defense to those facing deportation and removal. Our firm has years of experience raising the most successful defenses. We can seek waivers and represent you before an immigration judge or in federal court. Do not give up on your dream of staying in the U.S. and possibly receiving a green card in the future. Reach out to a Jacksonville deportation and removal lawyer.

Sources:

americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/immigration/projects_initiatives/fightnotariofraud/about_notario_fraud/

propublica.org/article/trump-immigration-scams-complaints-doubled-ice