August 15, 2016
Contact: Kyle Roerink
Phone: 202-657-3219

Las Vegas—Today Rep. Dina Titus will host a press conference with immigrant families who have been exploited for their money and personal information by businesses in Las Vegas  that fraudulently pose as immigration attorneys or notaries. 
 
Practicing “notario fraud,” wrongdoers can jeopardize the eligibility status of prospective permanent residents.  In many Latin American countries, a “notario público” is a state-appointed lawyer with proper credentials to practice law. In the U.S., however, a notary public can only witness and certify legal documents. The distinction between the terms gives scammers the façade of credibility and the opportunity to target the immigrant community. 
 
“While House Republicans ignore our broken immigration system, bad actors, including some notarios and unqualified counselors, are deceiving a growing number of vulnerable immigrants around the country,” Rep. Titus said. “They produce phony documents, offer improper legal advice, and demand payment without delivering any service. We cannot let these imposters take advantage of our friends and neighbors.” 
 
The Congresswoman will follow up by hosting her annual Immigration Fraud Prevention Fair on Wednesday with many of the State’s prominent legal practitioners, community organizations, and immigration activists.  She is also a supporter of legislation including, The Notario Victim Relief Act, which will protect victims of notario fraud from deportation. 
 
Background
 
Lidia Quiroz: Victim of Immigration Fraud, case resolved by our office
 
Lidia Quiroz has been waiting for over 20 years to obtain permanent residency in the United States. Several Notarios told her there was nothing to be do but wait. Those notarios charged her fees and said it was the only measure to take if she wanted to keep her case open with federal officials. Lidia came to Rep. Titus’ office in hopes of finding an alternative. Rep. Titus’ office helped determine that Lidia was able to adjust her status because she was grandfathered into section 245 (i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965. Her case had expeditious processing and she received a green card – allowing her to visit her ailing mother in Mexico for the first time in over twenty years. 
 
Virginia Ramos Bojorquez: Victim of Immigration Fraud
 
Virginia Ramos entered the country legally in 1985 and has been fighting to become a legal permanent resident since. She has been a victim of several fraud schemes that have promised her a green card by falsely ‘qualifying’ her for benefits and laws. Notarios that have preyed on the immigrant community have given false hope to Virginia time and time again by promising to fix the mistakes of their predecessors for the right fee. Instead they have lied on her forms and damaged her record with immigration authorities.   Virginia is currently fighting to uncover the work of the notarios. 
 
Details
 
Date:                August 15, 2016 
 
Time:               10 AM  to 10:30 AM 
 
Location:          East Las Vegas Community Center 
                         250 North Eastern Avenue
                         Las Vegas, NV, 89101