California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued guidance to assist the state’s immigrant communities in avoiding immigration scams. The advisory aims to protect individuals from fraudulent activities, particularly those seeking legal assistance or attempting to locate detained loved ones amid what Bonta describes as “President Trump’s cruel mass detention and deportation campaign.”
Bonta expressed concern over the exploitation of immigrants’ fears by scammers. “Families across the country are experiencing fear and uncertainty as a result of President Trump’s inhumane immigration agenda — and scammers are paying attention. Immigration scams, including notario fraud, prey on the hopes of safety and stability of our immigrant communities,” he stated.
The guidance outlines what constitutes notario fraud. It clarifies that only lawyers, accredited representatives, and recognized organizations can provide legal advice or representation in immigration matters. The advisory warns against immigration consultants who may label themselves as notarios or paralegals but are unauthorized to offer such services.
To assist families in locating detained relatives, the guidance recommends using an Alien Registration number (A-Number) for searches on locator.ice.gov. Further details about detention facilities can be found at ice.gov/detention-facilities.
The alert also provides tips to protect against immigration scams: confirming credentials of individuals offering help, seeking assistance from legitimate legal aid organizations, safeguarding original documents, and being wary of unsolicited requests for personal information.
For free legal assistance, resources like Law Help CA or Immigration Law Help are recommended. Victims of scams are encouraged to report incidents to the California Department of Justice or local authorities.
For additional information on protecting oneself from scams, the full consumer alert is available online with translations provided in Spanish.
