HELP
Immigration
For more information, visit
ftc.gov/immigration
FEDERAL TRADE
COMMISSION
Where do I get Who can help me fill out my Is there anyone else who can
immigration forms? forms? help me?
You can: Only a lawyer or an accredited representative Sometimes, people in your community
can give you legal advice about which can talk to USCIS for you. This is called
• go to www.uscis.gov/forms forms to use or what to write on your forms. representing you. These people cannot
• call USCIS at 1-800-870-3676, or Anyone can help you write down what you charge you a fee. Before someone like this
tell them. can represent you, the U.S. government
• visit your local USCIS office official who is working on your case has to
Do not pay anyone to give you immigration approve the person.
Immigration forms are free. help if they are not authorized by the U.S.
government to give it.
But the U.S. government may charge you a Does USCIS have my forms?
fee when you file your forms.
You will need the receipt you got from
See the other side of this paper USCIS when you turned in your paperwork.
to learn about lawyers and Then: I want to report an
accredited representatives. • Go to www.uscis.gov or immigration scam.
• Call 1-800-375-5283 to talk with Immigration scams are against the law.
the USCIS National Customer Report them to:
Service Center
How do I find out more about • the Federal Trade Commission
my lawyer? (FTC) www.ftc.gov/complaint or
I might have been scammed. 1-877-382-4357
You can look online to see if the lawyer you
chose really is a lawyer. You also can find How can I find out about my • the attorney general of your state.
immigration status? Find the name at www.naag.org.
out if the lawyer has broken any rules for
Click on your state.
lawyers:
Go to www.uscis.gov and type your receipt • the EOIR Fraud and Abuse Prevention
• For a list of lawyers who are not allowed number in the “Case Status” box. Program at (703) 305-0470 or email
to practice immigration law, go to
EOIR.Fraud.Program@usdoj.gov
www.justice.gov/eoir/discipline.htm If you don’t have your receipt, make an
appointment with USCIS: The more information you can give,
• You can call your state bar association
to ask about a specific lawyer. Go to • Go to www.infopass.uscis.gov the more helpful your report is to the
www.statebarassociations.org and click investigator.
on the state where you live to find the • Call the USCIS National Customer
phone number to call. Service Center at 1-800-375-5283
Univers 57 / 5 poi ts
I need immigration help. Who can help me?
Who can give me legal advice? Accredited Representatives
Only someone authorized by the U.S. government can give you legal advice. An accredited representative:
Usually, that means:
is not a lawyer.
a lawyer or an accredited representative
is authorized to help you with your immigration case.
Lawyers must work for an organization recognized by the Executive Office for
A lawyer can help you. A lawyer: Immigration Review (EOIR). The organization may charge you a small fee.
may be called an attorney.
Find an accredited representative:
must be licensed by a state or territory of the U.S., or the District of Columbia. • www.justice.gov/eoir/ra.html
may charge you a fee for giving you legal services.
Notarios
Find free and low-cost lawyers: Notarios, notarios públicos, and notary publics are NOT lawyers or
accredited representatives. They are not authorized by the U.S. government
• www.justice.gov/eoir/probono/states.htm
to give you legal advice.
• The American Bar Association
www.americanbar.org/groups/public_services/immigration/resources/ Do not pay them for legal help. You may lose your money.
immigration_legal_service_providers_directory.html
• Or call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 for lawyers in your area
Find other immigration lawyers who charge fees: For more information, visit
FEDERAL TRADE
• The American Immigration Lawyers Association
www.ailalawyer.com
ftc.gov/immigration COMMISSION