Minnesota · Immigration consultant scams
Immigration consultant scams in Minnesota
If a non-lawyer took your money in Minnesota — under the guise of immigration consultant scams — Minnesota law is on your side. Here's how the claim works.
Reviewed July 2026 by the FakeLawyerReport editorial team
Why this is illegal in Minnesota
Unlicensed 'consultants' who fill out USCIS forms, give visa advice, or promise green cards are practicing law without a license. Victims routinely recover refunds and damages.
Minnesota's UPL statute: Minn. Stat. § 481.02
Minnesota broadly defines UPL and makes a first violation a misdemeanor and a repeat violation a gross misdemeanor. The AG and Lawyers Professional Responsibility Board pursue enforcement.
Penalties in Minnesota
Misdemeanor (up to 90 days and $1,000); gross misdemeanor on repeat (up to 364 days and $3,000), plus civil penalties.
What you can recover
- A full refund of every dollar you paid.
- Statutory or civil damages under Minnesota's consumer-protection laws.
- Attorneys' fees in most cases — often no out-of-pocket cost.
- Referral to a licensed Minnesota attorney to try to fix the underlying case.
How to report immigration consultant scams in Minnesota
- File with Minnesota Attorney Registration — the state bar's UPL committee.
- File a consumer complaint with the Minnesota Attorney General.
- Submit your case on this site for a free confidential review with a licensed Minnesota attorney who handles UPL recovery.
Related resources
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