KCSDV Immigration Network Presents: Notario Fraud: What Advocates Need to Know March 28, 2013 This project was supported by Grant No WR-AX-0002 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.

By Angela L. Williams The Law Offices of Angela L. Williams, LLC 4235 Baltimore Ave Kansas City, MO (816) (T) (816) (F) Immigration and Criminal Defense

Notary Publics vs. Notarios

 Notary Public (Missouri)  Be at least 18 years old  Registered voter or LPR  Live in the county where applying  Not have had a commission revoked in the last 10 years  Speak and read English  What can Notary Publics Do?  Take Acknowledgments  Certify a document is a true copy of another document  Administer oaths and affirmations  Verify signatures on documents

 Be Mexican by birth  Older than 25 and younger than 60  Good health  Good reputation  Not a leader of a church  No criminal record  Studied under a Notario for at least 6 months  Written exam

BBe an Arbitrator BBe a Mediator IIssue Judicial Opinions IIntervene in Judicial Proceedings RReview documents for legal inconsistencies EEnsure payment of taxes CCertify Public deeds

 Advertise in Hispanic Communities  Capitalize on the misunderstanding of the translation  Charge Outrageous fees  Have no training or experience in immigration  Give bad and dangerous advice  At best, victims spend thousands of dollars at worst, the notario so badly advises or messes up the case that the person can never regulate immigration status

 Guarantees  Vague Promises  No Contract or unclear terms of representation  Not Attorneys or BIA Accredited representatives  “Off Site” Attorney that never meets with clients  Only contact with staff  Refusal to provide copies of documents  No receipts for filings

 Report to the State bar  Report to the State Attorney General or Consumer Protection Division  Report to the Police  Report to the ABA, USCIS, DOJ or AILA Fraud Divisions  Contact the Local AILA chapter  Share your experience with friends and family

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