Both the code of federal regulations (C.F.R.) and U.S. In reality, these immigration consultants or notarios lack the credentials and authority to prepare immigration documents and to represent noncitizens in immigration proceedings. Unauthorized practitioners often target immigrant communities with false messages that they can represent immigrants in legal immigration matters.
Victims of unauthorized practice of immigration law also face indescribable loss, including dashed hopes for legal status in the United States, depletion of limited financial resources, and possibly deportation from the United States. These individuals can delay immigration matters, at best, and pose a threat to the ability of a noncitizen to successfully qualify for immigration benefits, at worst. Unauthorized practitioners of immigration law are often referred to as “notarios,” which means notary public in Spanish and notary publics in civil law societies have the authority to provide certain limited legal services. The “Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law (UPIL): A State-by-State Overview of Legal Mechanisms to Combat these Deceptive Practices” resource is intended for immigration attorneys, accredited representatives, and community-based organizations assisting noncitizen clients who have been victims of unauthorized practice of immigration law.