Official Site of The State of New Jersey

Unscrupulous individuals pretending to be “immigration consultants,” “notaries,” or “attorneys,” falsely claim they can provide immigration services to targeted immigrants with limited English skills. Only attorneys and accredited representatives authorized by USCIS are allowed to prepare legal documents such as immigration forms, give advice on legal matters, or represent clients in a legal proceeding. 

• An attorney must have a valid license to practice law. Most states have a public searchable database for licensed attorneys. 
• An accredited representative must have training and authorization from the US government to help people with immigration cases. You can look for the organization and the individual on the  government’s listing of accredited representatives. 

Feel free to ask questions. You can ask an attorney or accredited representative about their training, experience, and certification. You can also ask about the status and timeline for your case, a full copy of any records or documents, a written agreement explaining the services, and anything else you would like to have or know. 

To report immigration scams, please contact the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by calling 1-800-242-5846 or visiting www.njconsumeraffairs.gov. The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs intakes reports from all people regardless of their citizenship or immigration status, and Division of Consumer Affairs employees do not ask about citizenship or immigration status.