The government of the United States welcomes and embraces people from all over the world. However, there is a catch. You must abide and respect the laws of the United States, especially the immigration laws. Since the September 11 terrorist attack, the United States has been tightening the security of the land. Thus, it greatly affected and changed the immigration laws. The government has been vigilant in improving the security system and keeping a tight track on ingress and egress of foreign nationals. The United States government also has modified and changed immigration laws to accommodate and provide numerous avenues for foreign nationals to come and/or live in the United States legally.
There are many individuals who are interested in coming to the United States. Then, there are many invalid and fraudulent individuals who promise and tempt you that they can get you a "green card". Some individuals tried that route and received their "green cards" that way. But that is not the end of the story nor the beginning of a happy ending. The government eventually tracked these fraudulent individuals: immigration brokers, immigration officers, attorneys, marriage brokers, employment sponsors, etc. Guess what happened to that story? Those people who received their "green cards" many years ago got their "green cards" revoked and are in removal/deportation proceedings. People who applied for their "green cards" through these fraudulent individuals are now under investigation. In addition, some can never apply for the United States citizenship because they are in fear of losing their residence and getting deported.
Immigrating to the United States can provide many opportunities. However, if you choose the wrong path in the beginning, it becomes almost impossible to correct the problems. Once again, there are many different ways that you can come and/or live in the United States legally. The right questions to ask are: "What options do you have?" and "What is the most appropriate solution for your case?". The right immigration attorney can direct and help you fulfill your immigration needs successfully.
BE AWARE OF NOTARIOS!
I encounter many complicated and difficult cases caused by incompetent and/or fraudulent works of non-attorneys (notary public, "notario", tax preparer, travel agent, or just any individual). In some cases, clients are led to believe that these non-attorneys are attorneys. These individuals will say that they are attorneys or they do not correct the clients when clients refer them as "attorneys." For clients from countries where only lawyers are authorized to notarize, clients are led to believe that notary public or "notario" is also an attorney in the United States.
However, notary publice or "notarios" are not attorneys and they do not have legal knowledge or right to give legal advice. Many clients are attracted to notary public filing immigration papers due to cheaper price. However, when incompent works result in removal proceeding, it is no longer a funny story. I had a case where if everything went properly, the client should be a United States citizen by now. However, her case was long closed and she had to start all over again.
You must be extra careful when you or your loved is detaiend in ICE facility or in a removal proceeding. There are some attorneys and non-attorneys who will prey on illegal immigrants in these situations. They will take thousands of dollars and absolutely do NOTHING. Even if there are chances of fighting back, you will lose your chance when attorneys do not act and file all the appropriate paper work by due date. NEVER hire a non-attorney for ICE detention or removal cases. They do not have any legal knowledge or right to represent you in the court.
In one case, I was retained for a person detained at a ICE facility. I met the client in person at the jail and had talked to the officer in charge several times. At the time, no bond was set for the individual. A family member called to say that someone said that a bond was set. If he paid to the person, the person could relase the client from the jail with bond. How funny and outrageous. I talked to the officer in charge only few minutes ago and no bond was set. Amuzed, I called the officer in charge to confirm, and no bond was set. The lesson of the story is: DO NOT TRUST EVERYONE. If the family member did not call the attorney first and paid the individual, the individual would have taken thousands of dollars. Worse, he would have threatened to report the family member to the immigration services later. THERE ARE MANY INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD LOVE TO TAKE ADVANTAGES OF YOUR TERRIBLE SITUATION.
Here are some links that provide information about fraudulent immigration cases and consequences.
http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060818miami.htm
http://da.co.la.ca.us/immigration.htm
http://www.state.gov/m/ds/rls/rm/39620.htm