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Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2021
12/31/2022, 5:07 AM
Summary of Bill HR 4435
The bill seeks to combat this problem by increasing penalties for notario fraud, including fines and potential imprisonment for those found guilty of engaging in fraudulent immigration services. It also aims to improve access to accurate information about immigration services by requiring notarios to disclose their lack of legal qualifications to clients.
Additionally, the Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2021 includes provisions to enhance enforcement efforts against notarios, such as increasing funding for investigations and prosecutions of fraudulent immigration services. The bill also seeks to educate immigrants about the dangers of notario fraud and provide resources for individuals seeking legitimate legal assistance with their immigration cases. Overall, the Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2021 is a bipartisan effort to protect vulnerable immigrants from falling victim to fraudulent immigration services and to hold those engaging in notario fraud accountable for their actions.
Congressional Summary of HR 4435
Fight Notario Fraud Act of 2021
This bill prohibits certain types of fraud or misrepresentations related to immigration matters, provides for criminal penalties for such actions, and contains related provisions.
Specifically, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if that person knowingly executes a scheme related to immigration laws to (1) defraud another, or (2) receive anything of value from another based on false pretenses or representations. Such a person shall be subject to additional criminal penalties if that person (1) threatens to report another to federal or state authorities, (2) takes actions or makes attempts to adversely impact another's immigration status, or (3) demands or retains anything of value for services fraudulently performed or not performed.
Similarly, a person shall be subject to fines, imprisonment, or both, if the person knowingly and falsely claims to be an attorney or an accredited representative in any matter arising under the immigration laws. (An accredited representative is an individual authorized by the Executive Office of Immigration Review to represent clients in certain immigration matters.)
The bill provides for longer terms of imprisonment for a person who causes a cumulative loss of more than $10,000 through actions prohibited under this bill.
The Department of Justice shall establish at least 15 Special U.S. Attorney positions to enforce these provisions and take other actions related to enforcement and protecting consumers from fraudulent immigration schemes.
