Laredo Woman Arrested for Impersonating Immigration Attorney in $7,900 Scam

(LAREDO, TEXAS) — A 58-year-old woman was arrested in Laredo for posing as an immigration attorney and defrauding two victims out of $7,900, prompting a broader warning from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL) scams that can derail real cases.

Friday, January 16, 2026

What you’ll need before you hire any immigration help

1. The person’s full legal name and business name
2. Their claimed license or accreditation details (bar number, state, or DOJ recognition)
3. A written fee agreement and a clear receipt trail
4. Copies of every form filed and every message exchanged
5. A safe way to pay that creates records (avoid cash when possible)

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1) Incident Summary: what happened in Laredo, and why it matters

Laredo, Texas police arrested a 58-year-old woman on January 14, 2026, after she allegedly held herself out as an immigration attorney and collected money from two victims.

The Laredo Police Department said the total taken was $7,900. Prosecutors filed two counts of Representing Self as an Attorney, Class A Misdemeanors.

In general terms, “posing as an attorney” means claiming legal authority to represent people when you are not licensed to do so. That’s not just a consumer fraud problem. It can also trigger immigration harm.

Bad legal advice may lead you to file the wrong application, miss deadlines, or make statements that conflict with your record. Those mistakes can follow you for years. Sometimes they can’t be fixed.

2) Deception Details and Reality: why the pitch fails, and how UPIL fraud works

Investigators said the alleged scam involved a familiar hook: a “new law” that supposedly let migrants who had been in the United States for several years qualify for “political asylum visas.”

The victims later checked with legitimate counsel and learned they did not qualify for asylum based only on length of residence. Asylum is not a reward for time spent in the country. It has specific eligibility rules and deadlines, and it usually requires showing persecution (or a well-founded fear of persecution) tied to protected grounds.

A promise that “years in the U.S.” equals asylum is a warning sign. So is any claim that a “new law” quietly opened a simple path.

Fraud operators often use the same playbook:

• They claim to be an attorney, or they imply it with office setups and official-looking forms.
• They create urgency, saying you must apply “this week” or “before the program closes.”
• They guarantee outcomes, sometimes claiming “special connections.”
• They pressure you to pay through methods that are hard to trace.

That pattern shows up nationwide. Many schemes thrive on fear and confusion, as online scams exploit fears about deportation and sudden policy shifts.

USCIS uses a specific term for this kind of misconduct: unauthorized practice of immigration law (UPIL). In plain language, UPIL happens when someone who is not authorized gives legal advice, prepares filings as if they were qualified, or represents clients in ways reserved for licensed professionals.

The risk is not only financial. A scammer may file a weak or false asylum claim that hurts your asylum eligibility later. Worse, inaccurate statements can be treated as misrepresentations. That can create removal risk, or shut you out of future benefits.

3) Official USCIS/DHS context: why enforcement talk doesn’t protect you by itself

Federal agencies have been pushing public warnings because these scams keep spreading. DHS has tied fraud crackdowns to broader enforcement messaging, including a January 15, 2026 statement tied to multiple fraud operations:

“This operation. demonstrates that the [administration] will not stand idly by as the U.S. immigration system is weaponized by those seeking to defraud the American people. American citizens and the rule of law come first, always.”

USCIS’s message to immigrants is more personal and practical. Only an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative working for a DOJ-recognized organization can give you legal advice. USCIS also warns that scammers often claim “new laws” or “special connections” to guarantee results.

Those warnings connect to real consequences:

• Missed deadlines can terminate eligibility for certain benefits.
• Wrong filings can trigger denials, referrals, or court issues.
• False claims can damage credibility in later proceedings.

If you want a quick primer on common tactics, read this guide on common immigration scams and compare it to what you’re being told in your own case.

4) Key facts to watch for: the “10-year law” myth and permanent consequences

Many UPIL scams lean on the “10-year law” myth. People are told that living in the U.S. for 10 years automatically qualifies them for papers. That is typically a misunderstanding of Cancellation of Removal, a defense in immigration court with strict requirements and a discretionary decision.

It is not a simple form you file to “activate” status. A bad filing can carry lasting consequences.

Examples include:

• Frivolous asylum claims, which may create severe bars to future immigration benefits.
• Statements that conflict with your prior entries, visa history, or prior applications.
• Missed requests for evidence (RFEs) or hearing notices because the scammer controlled your mail.
• Payments and “receipts” that do not match USCIS systems, leaving you without proof.

DHS has also signaled coordinated enforcement. Operation PARRIS, launched in early January 2026, is described as a multi-state effort targeting background check fraud and unauthorized legal providers.

More enforcement can mean more investigations and more reporting channels. It does not fix your case for you. You still need to protect your record.

For context on how fraud cases can escalate, see coverage of recent convictions and why the government treats immigration filings as high-stakes statements.

5) Verification and protective guidelines: a step-by-step checklist

Use this checklist before you pay anyone, sign anything, or hand over documents.

Step 1: Verify who they are

1. If they say they are an immigration attorney: verify the license with the State Bar of Texas (or the state where they claim to be licensed). Confirm the name matches exactly.
2. If they say they are a DOJ-accredited representative: verify them on the DOJ-accredited representatives roster on justice.gov. Confirm they are connected to a DOJ-recognized organization.

Both paths are legitimate. Both are checkable. If they refuse verification, walk away.

Step 2: Demand clarity on scope and fees

Ask for a written agreement that states:

• What they will file, and what they will not file
• Total fees and refund terms
• Who signs the forms (you should review and sign your forms, not blindly approve)

Any “guarantee” is a red flag. No one can promise an approval.

Step 3: Protect your documents and your USCIS account access

• Keep copies of every form, every exhibit, and every receipt.
• Avoid handing over original identity documents unless you must, and get a written receipt if you do.
• Do not share your USCIS online account password. Use your own email and phone number when possible.

For more practical habits that reduce fraud risk, see helpful tips that align with USCIS guidance.

Step 4: Pay safely, and keep proof

USCIS does not accept Western Union, MoneyGram, PayPal, or gift cards for immigration fees. In many cases, USCIS fees are paid through Pay.gov or through official USCIS lockbox processes, depending on the form.

If a “representative” insists on untraceable payments, stop. Get a second opinion.

Step 5: If you already paid a scammer, act fast

1. Stop further payments and contact your bank or card issuer right away.
2. Gather evidence: receipts, texts, emails, flyers, envelopes, and copies of anything filed.
3. Consult a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative quickly to check what was submitted in your name.
4. Report the conduct to local law enforcement when a crime occurred, such as the Laredo Police Department in cases tied to Laredo, Texas.

✅ Verify credentials before engaging anyone offering immigration services; if you’re unsure, contact a licensed attorney or DOJ-accredited representative and report suspicious activity.

6) Official government sources: where to verify and report

Start with official USCIS scam-prevention guidance on uscis.gov, including the USCIS newsroom and “Avoid Scams” pages. Those pages explain who can give legal advice, how to protect your records, and how to spot UPIL tactics.

Next, check DHS press releases for enforcement context, including fraud operations like Operation PARRIS. Use those releases to confirm whether a claimed “new program” is real before paying anyone.

Local law enforcement is also a valid option when money is taken or identity documents are misused. A police report can help you document events for your bank and for future legal review.

Rumors spread fast. Treat social media claims about “new laws” the way you’d treat a stranger’s financial advice: verify first, pay last.

This article discusses legal topics that can affect immigration status. Information is not legal advice; consult a licensed attorney for case-specific guidance.