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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: Erin Duggan |
DA VANCE AND BOROUGH PRESIDENT STRINGER ANNOUNCE PROGRAM TO ASSIST HAITIANS |
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Vance Reminds New Yorkers to be on Alert for Fraudulent Immigration Lawyers and Scams |
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| Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and Haitian Consul General Felix Augustin today announced a fraud prevention and immigrants’ rights program to be held this Saturday, following the designation of Haiti for Temporary Protective Status (TPS). TPS is a federal immigration program that grants temporary immigration status to those who are eligible. In the past, immigrant communities have been the victims of increases in criminal activity that often follows the expansion or creation of programs like this, particularly when individuals fraudulently purporting to be attorneys prey on those seeking help. The seminar will provide information on how to avoid becoming the victim of fraud and bring legal resources to the community, including free immigration consultations by authorized service providers. “Members of our immigrant communities are too often the target of fraud and other scams,” District Attorney Vance said. “In light of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, we want local Haitians to know that there are legitimate attorneys and service providers who can assist them during this difficult period. Together with our partners in government and in the community we will assist and protect our Haitian residents.” Borough President Stringer said: “As if Haitian immigrants have not had enough to deal in the wake of last month’s catastrophic earthquake, many now have to contend with unscrupulous lawyers and individuals who promise to get them Temporary Protective Status, then vanish with their money. I look forward to working with the Manhattan District Attorney to make sure this vulnerable community does not fall victim to these predatory scams.” Saturday’s program will be held from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in Synod Hall, located at 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. The event is free and open to the public. Volunteer lawyers will be on-hand to provide immigration consultations and help eligible Haitian nationals navigate the paperwork that needs to be filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigrations Service (USCIS). USCIS District Director Andrea. J. Quarantillo will conduct a presentation on TPS and humanitarian visas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) estimates that some 100,000 to 200,000 individuals will be eligible for TPS, some of whom live and work in the New York City metropolitan area. Additionally, the District Attorney’s Immigrant Affairs Program and Community Affairs Unit will be available to address the issue of victimization of immigrants, who are often vulnerable to immigration fraud, scams, and other forms of exploitation, including fraudulent attorneys and illegitimate immigration service providers. DA Vance stressed that the District Attorney’s Office does not disclose to other authorities the immigration status of those who seek help from the Office. Consul General Augustin said: “In this difficult time, this forum provides a great opportunity to meet and consult with legitimate immigration specialists – without names being taken, without questions being asked, information and resources will be provided. The Haitian Consulate thanks District Attorney Cy Vance for putting together this seminar.” Since its formation in December 2007, the Immigrant Affairs Program has handled approximately 1,300 complaints and has numerous ongoing investigations. Approximately one-half of the complaints reported to the Immigrant Affairs Program relate to the unauthorized practice of law, fake lawyers, and fraudulent immigration service providers. The first defendant prosecuted under the program was Johnny Mateo, a Bronx man who defrauded six immigrant families in an apartment rental scheme. Mateo was indicted, arrested, and sentenced to 2˝ to 5 years in state prison for his crimes. Another case being prosecuted by the Immigrant Affairs Program is that of Wilmer Rivera Melendez, a Georgia man accused of defrauding individuals by falsely purporting to be an attorney and providing illegitimate immigration legal services, including help with USCIS paperwork.[1] Melendez’s case is pending in State Supreme Court. To report someone for committing fraud upon immigrants call the Immigrant Affairs Program hotline at (212) 335-3600. Additional participants include: Legal Aid Society Immigration Law Unit, the Haitian Consulate, New York City Comptroller-Bureau of Labor Law, New York City Department of Consumer Affairs, the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Haitian Centers Council, Haitian Bilingual and ESL Technical Assistance, Haitian Americans United for Progress, North Star Fund, Departmental Disciplinary Committee-First Department of the NYS Supreme Court Appellate Division, American Immigration Lawyers Association’s NY Chapter, and its Committee on Unauthorized Practice of Law, and other agencies that serve the Haitian community. ### Additional news available at: www.manhattanda.org |
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