Only lawyers can practice immigration law

Who can actually help with immigration

Federal law is narrow and specific. The only people allowed to represent you in an immigration matter are:

• An attorney licensed in any U.S. state and in good standing.
• A representative accredited by the Department of Justice, working for a DOJ-recognized nonprofit.

Anyone else — regardless of what their business card, website, or Google Ad says — cannot legally give you immigration advice or prepare and file paperwork for you.

Common consultant scams

• Selling "consultations" that give strategy advice.
• Filing petitions or applications with USCIS on your behalf.
• Charging premium fees for "expedited processing" that doesn't exist.
• Promising an outcome (green card, work permit, DACA renewal).
• Choosing which visa or form category applies to your case.
• Preparing declarations, affidavits, or briefs.

Why this is so serious

Immigration cases are unforgiving. A wrong form, a bad answer, or a missed deadline can cause a denial, a bar to reentry, or a removal order that follows you for years. Consultants who don't know immigration law routinely cause exactly those outcomes.

What you can recover

• Full refund of consultant fees.
• Damages under state UPL and consumer-protection laws.
• State AG and USCIS complaints to shut them down.
• Coordination with a real immigration attorney to try to fix the case.