Combating Immigration Fraud: New Penalties and Victim Protection
This act introduces stricter penalties for immigration service fraud, such as impersonating an attorney or extorting money. It aims to protect individuals seeking immigration status from dishonest practices and ensure a safer path to legal residency. Citizens can report fraud, and the government will publish information on how to avoid it.
Key points
New Offenses: Prohibits defrauding individuals in immigration matters and impersonating an attorney or accredited representative.
Stricter Penalties: Fraud can lead to up to one year in prison and a fine, with up to three years for significant financial losses or retaliatory actions.
Victim Protection: The Attorney General must establish complaint procedures, publish fraud prevention information in multiple languages, and appoint special prosecutors to pursue these crimes.
Restitution: Funds recovered from fraudsters, where victims cannot be located, will be deposited into the Crime Victims Fund.
Expired
Additional Information
Print number: 117_HR_4435
Sponsor: Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16]
Process start date: 2021-07-16