Who can help me with my USCIS case?

You can always represent yourself before USCIS. Many 

people, including family members, may be willing to 

help you fill out USCIS forms with the information 

you provide. These people may do this for free or 

charge a small fee. However, only certain qualified 

individuals can give you legal advice or represent you 

before USCIS.

Legal advice may include:

n How to answer questions on your immigration 

forms; and

n What immigration options you may have.

By law, the only people who may give you legal advice 

or represent you before USCIS are:

n Attorneys; and

n Non-attorney representatives who are accredited by 

the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

For more information on attorneys and BIA-accredited 

representatives, visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams.

With the direct supervision of an attorney, accredited 

representative, or faculty member in some cases, 

certain law students and law school graduates of 

accredited U.S. law schools may give you legal advice 

on immigration issues. These students and graduates 

may not receive compensation for their services. Visit 

www.uscis.gov/avoidscams for more information.

“Notarios,” notary publics, and immigration consultants may NOT provide legal advice or represent you 

before USCIS. In some countries, all “notarios” are 

attorneys. This is not true in the United States. Notary 

publics in the United States do not have to be attorneys and do not have the same authority to give legal 

advice as “notarios” in other countries.

How do I find a free or low-cost licensed attorney 

or BIA-accredited representative?

For a list of free or low-cost legal services, visit 

www.uscis.gov/avoidscams or call USCIS at 

1-800-375-5283.

How can I find out if the person helping me is 

authorized to provide legal advice?

For information on how to verify if an attorney or 

BIA-accredited representative is eligible to represent 

you before USCIS, visit www.uscis.gov/avoidscams. To 

find out if someone is a BIA-accredited representative, 

you may also visit your local USCIS office or check 

the list of currently accredited individuals on the BIA 

website at www.justice.gov/eoir/statspub/raroster.htm.

What are some common immigration scams?

Scammers often make promises that sound too good 

to be true. They may tell you that they have a special 

relationship with the government, or can get you an 

immigration benefit like a green card or work permit 

very quickly, or that they can help you get benefits for 

which you do not qualify.

Sometimes websites that look very professional 

can lead you to a scam. Scammers also advertise 

in phone books, fliers and on signs in stores. They 

may take advantage of radio stations and newspapers 

to advertise through the media. They may also be recommended by someone you know. Be careful. Before 

going to someone selling immigration advice, find 

out first if he or she is an attorney or a BIA-accredited 

representative.

What can I do if I am a victim of an immigration 

scam?

If you or someone you know is the victim of an 

immigration scam, consider notifying the Federal 

Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov/complaint 

or 1-877-382-4357. You can also report immigration 

scams to your state attorney general’s office, other state 

agencies or the appropriate state bar association.

There are laws that prohibit immigration scams. Learn 

about the law in your state and how to report scams 

at www.uscis.gov/avoidscams.

Protect yourself and your family from immigration 

scams. Learn the facts and find legal help at 

www.uscis.gov/avoidscams or by calling USCIS at 

1-800-375-5283.

You can always communicate with 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration 

Services (USCIS) about your case. 

If you choose to have someone 

represent you, please be aware that 

only certain individuals may give 

legal advice on immigration issues or 

represent you before USCIS.  
Sometimes, people pretend to be 

“immigration experts” to deceive you 

and take your money. This is against 

the law. 

Other people may offer to help you 

complete your forms and may have 

good intentions, but are not qualified 

to provide advice on immigration law 

or procedures. 

Tips To Remember

DO get immigration information from official 

government websites. Web addresses for federal 

government agencies include “.gov,” not “.com.”

DO get a receipt when you pay someone to help you 

complete your immigration forms.

DO verify that the person giving you legal advice and 

representing you before USCIS is an attorney or BIAaccredited representative.

DO keep all letters from USCIS in a safe place. Always 

get copies of all documents that were prepared 

or submitted for you and keep a copy of your 

USCIS receipt notice. This receipt is proof that your 

application or petition has been received by USCIS.

DO check USCIS form instructions for filing fees and 

other requirements.

DO check the status of your case for free at www.

uscis.gov or by calling 1-800-375-5283.

DO report unlawful activity or immigration scams to 

the FTC, your state attorney general’s office or your 

state bar association.

DO NOT pay for blank USCIS forms. All USCIS forms 

are free and available at www.uscis.gov or at your 

local USCIS office.

DO NOT sign blank forms. Be sure all forms are 

complete before you sign them.

DO NOT sign forms that contain false information. 

Be sure that all the information is true and accurate 

before you sign them.

DO NOT let anyone keep your original documents.

DO NOT sign documents that you cannot understand. 

Before you sign any immigration forms, read them 

carefully and be sure you understand them.

When looking for immigration help, the wrong help can hurt.

Learn the facts and find legal help at www.uscis.gov/

avoidscams or by calling USCIS at 1-800-375-5283.

M-712 (05/11)