Combating Notario Fraud in California: A Call to Action

Notario fraud, or the unauthorized practice of immigration law, causes grave harm to countless immigrants and is pervasive across California and the U.S. Too often, individuals who are not authorized to practice law pretend to be qualified to provide immigration assistance to people who desperately need it, only to take their money and leave their victims’ immigration status worse than when they started. These fraudsters flourish in climates like today, when immigrant communities are enduring unrivaled levels of fear for their safety and security, there are rapid changes in immigration law, and an overwhelming need for legal representation. This white paper calls on California to dedicate resources, strengthen enforcement, and close legislative gaps to protect vulnerable immigrants from predatory scammers.