Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021

Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021

This bill establishes that certain acts of immigration-related fraud shall be punished by fines, imprisonment, or both.

The bill provides for such punishment for a person who knowingly or recklessly executes a scheme or artifice in a matter arising under immigration law to (1) defraud any person; or (2) obtain anything of value from any person through false pretenses, representations, or promises.

A person who knowingly and falsely represents that such person is an attorney or accredited representative in any matter arising under immigration law shall be subject to such punishment.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) may seek civil injunctions to stop an immigration service provider from further engaging in fraudulent conduct or willfully misrepresenting the provider's authority to provide representation in immigration matters.

An alien who left the United States based on erroneous advice from a person engaged in immigration practitioner fraud or the unauthorized practice of law shall not be barred from reentering the country.

An alien may withdraw an application for immigration benefits that was prepared or submitted by an individual engaging in immigration practitioner fraud or the unauthorized practice of law, if the alien had no prior knowledge of the individual's fraudulent or unauthorized status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of State, and DOJ shall develop procedures for allowing such an alien to submit corrected filings.

DHS and DOJ shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible nonprofit organizations to provide direct legal services to aliens.

Bill 117 HR 6222, also known as the Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021, aims to address the issue of immigrants being taken advantage of by unscrupulous legal practitioners. The bill seeks to protect immigrants from fraudulent legal services by imposing stricter regulations on individuals and organizations providing immigration legal services.

Under this bill, immigration consultants and notarios would be required to meet certain qualifications and adhere to ethical standards in order to provide legal services to immigrants. The bill also aims to increase transparency by requiring these individuals and organizations to disclose their qualifications, fees, and any potential conflicts of interest to clients.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions to increase penalties for those found to be engaging in fraudulent or deceptive practices when providing immigration legal services. This is intended to deter individuals and organizations from taking advantage of vulnerable immigrants seeking legal assistance. Overall, the Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2021 seeks to protect immigrants from being exploited by unscrupulous legal practitioners and ensure that they have access to reliable and ethical legal services when navigating the complex immigration system.