Immigrant Scam Service Shutdown: Colorado Finally Clamps Down on Bogus Lawyer
For any prospective immigrants seeking legal assistance, working with a licensed attorney is an indispensable step to avoid a hurting an immigration case or a possible immigration scam. Just consider the case recently reported on by Colorado authorities. An entity impersonating a licensed attorney, Shineth Gonzales, the owner of US Immigration Services, and Colorado Global Schools, was preying on immigrants’ trust and working as an unlicensed “legal consultant” while charging clients ‘qualified’ fees. Gonzales has since been ordered to shut down her businesses and is facing fines and a lifetime ban on offering any legal services.
Misleading Legal Consultant
For more than three years, Gonzales operated her business out of Greeley, Colorado, presenting herself as a licensed immigration consultant. Gonzales also developed a strong presence online, boasting about her “services” to clients, and constructing a narrative about herself as a Harvard Law School graduate. She also justified her “legal consulting” business by referring to her “legal doctorate” degree as a “Dr. Gonzales”.
In truth, Gonzales has never been and is not a licensed law practitioner, nor a Harvard graduate, and never hired legal aides or other support staff, as she falsely claimed. Her business was a means to drain clients of their money and exploit their unqualified immigration status.
Gonzales’s fraudulent activities were uncovered after the Colorado Attorney General’s Office conducted an investigation. Businesses were exploited by charging high fees for legal services and were admitted to being grossly incompetent and sometimes erroneously underserviced.
The Impact of Gonzales’s Fraudulent Activities
Gonzales’s fraudulent legal services damaged the lives of many individuals. The immigrants that Gonzales serviced were facing highly complicated legal issues and emotionally charging situations and were aiming to assist them. Many of her clients were instead routed through the process by a novice and given legally incorrect instructions. Paperwork delays and errors were created resulting in the pointless rejection of their applications.
Gonzales created a fictitious employee named Shequioa Daniels to be a legal consultant and charge clients for her services that Gonzales “made up.” This created a verifiable detriment to her clients. State prosecutors assert that Gonzales intentionally targeted people because they were willing to litigate as a last resort and exploit their need for legal services.
Phil Weiser, the Attorney General of Colorado, says, “When countless immigrants and their families live in the fear of deportation, the defendant in this case charged outrageous fees for substandard work she was neither adequately qualified nor licensed to perform.” This shows the risk immigrants take in seeking help from unlicensed attorneys.
Gonzales’ Legal and Financial Consequences
Gonzales, in a settlement agreement, will no longer provide any immigration-related services and has agreed to shut down both of her businesses. She will also refer the rest of her clients to qualified licensed attorneys who can take their cases.
In addition to the business closures, Gonzales has also had to pay $12,000 in fines for her violations to the Colorado Consumer Protection Act. This fine will be paid in $250 monthly installments, but if she fails to meet the settlement agreement, the fine can rise to $50,000.
This situation shows the need for licensed attorneys in all legal matters and especially immigration law. There will be financial and legal issues for clients when unlicensed legal professionals abuse the trust given to them by clients.
Hiring an Attorney Who’s Licensed is Important
Shineth Gonzales’s case demonstrates an important fact: only a licensed attorney can legally advise, defend clients, and render all legal services. Especially in immigration law, the assistance of people with the appropriate qualifications and legal advising is critical.
In the U.S., a public notary, as the Spanish speaking people call them, notarios, can only perform limited services. In many Latin American countries, notarios can提供 legal services, which can create a situation where immigrants looking for legal help can have a misunderstanding. They can think a notary or an unqualified person is giving the same legal help a licensed attorney would.
How to Know if an Immigration Consultant is Unqualified
It’s not always easy to spot a fraudster, but there are some signs that someone selling legal services is not a practicing attorney. Here are a few to note:
Claims of an Unverifiable Degree – If someone says they have a prestigious degree, title, or designation, in this case “Dr. Gonzales,” always check if they are credible.
Unreasonable Fees – If the cost is over the top or is much higher than comparable services, we recommend you look elsewhere.
Not Showing Evidence of an Attorney – Make sure that the person you are dealing with is a licensed attorney and is practicing in the state. You can check this with the Colorado Supreme Court Attorney Registration Office.
Unclear or False Advertising – Scammers tend to rely on fake websites, as well as dishonest business promotions, to attract clients. Always confirm that the business is registered and has proper credentials.
With More Experience, Legal Specialties Become More Credible
Most areas of law, particularly immigration law, do take time, so be wary of anyone telling you that you’ll get results in a few days.
Don’t Get Burned by Unauthorized Legal Representation
This serves as the most fundamental warning to consumers, especially to immigrants and the most vulnerable: always check to see if the person doing the immigration paperwork is actually a licensed attorney. Only licensed attorneys, or authorized representatives from recognized accredited agencies, may charge for immigration services.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam or being misled by someone unlicensed, you may get help. In Colorado, you may visit StopFraudColorado.gov or the Spanish version NoMasFraudeColorado.gov.
Conclusion: For Your Safety, Work With a Licensed Attorney
The case of Shineth Gonzales, particularly the scam element, serves to further reinforce the value of having your attorney’s credentials verified. In this case, Gonzales has not only shut down her operations, but has also been fined. No less than the consumers themselves should be the most concerned when verifying their source of legal advice.
If you need help with immigration services, prioritize hiring a licensed immigration attorney to get the most professional help. Never take chances with your future. Always choose the right professionals, those with the right education, experience, and legal qualifications.
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Reference Website : https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-shuts-down-lawyer-who-lied-about-credentials-created-fake-employee/
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