The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has warned visa and immigration applicants about fraudulent businesses and websites claiming they can speed up visa applications, Green Card petitions or work permit approvals for a fee.
According to USCIS, some businesses falsely present themselves as immigration experts or claim to have “special connections” within the US government. They may promise applicants faster processing or guaranteed approvals in exchange for money.
USCIS has urged applicants not to trust such claims or pay individuals and businesses that promise preferential treatment or guaranteed immigration benefits.
The agency said applicants should rely on official government information available through USCIS.gov and verify that anyone providing legal immigration assistance is authorised to do so. USCIS guidance states that immigration legal advice should come from an attorney or an accredited representative working with a recognised organisation.
USCIS also maintains official processing-time information for different immigration applications. Processing times vary depending on the form, category and office handling a case, making claims of guaranteed faster approval particularly important to verify through official channels.
Applicants have also been warned about unofficial websites that imitate government services. USCIS advises people to check that immigration information comes from official government websites, particularly those ending in “.gov”.
The agency further cautions applicants against making immigration-related payments through individuals or unofficial channels. USCIS says it does not ask applicants to transfer money to individuals or pay immigration fees through services such as Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal or gift cards.
People who suspect they have encountered immigration-benefit fraud can report it through the USCIS tip portal, where suspected fraud involving individuals or businesses can be submitted along with supporting evidence.
USCIS has advised applicants dealing with complicated immigration matters to seek help from qualified legal-service providers rather than individuals who promise guaranteed results or claim to have special access to government officials.
