The core of any attorney-client relationship is trust. And that’s even more true for immigrants, most of whom are dealing with issues that threaten their lives and the lives of their family members.
Unfortunately, a former Washington immigration attorney has come under fire for allegedly taking advantage of thousands of clients nationwide, according to recent court documents and news stories. Alexandra Lozano and her firm, Luz del Camino Legal, is being accused of:
- Filing immigration applications with made-up claims of domestic abuse or human trafficking without clients’ knowledge or consent.
- Encouraging staff to exaggerate or make up facts to help clients qualify for certain visas.
- Using employees outside the U.S. who were not licensed attorneys to prepare immigration cases and provide legal guidance.
- Running a high-volume practice that allegedly prioritized speed over personalized legal representation.
- Copying or forging client signatures on immigration documents.
- Charging clients thousands of dollars while putting their immigration status at risk.
- Promising immigration results that former clients say were misleading or unrealistic.
- Leaving thousands of clients with inaccurate immigration filings and uncertainty about what was submitted on their behalf.
While Lozano has denied any wrongdoing, she has been disbarred, but permanently surrendered her law license after resigning from the Washington State Bar, and is also currently under investigation by the USCIS.
All of this comes on the heels of major increases in visa applications for domestic abuse and human trafficking. But it highlights a much bigger issue: fraud and misrepresentation coming from law firms themselves. And that brings up questions about what you can do if this has happened to you.
How to Recognize the Signs of Misrepresentation With an Immigration Attorney
As troubling as the above story is, most immigration attorneys work hard to protect their clients and provide honest legal support. But like any profession, there are exceptions. Still, it’s helpful to know what signs to look for if something about your immigration case feels off:
- Guaranteeing a successful outcome or visa application approval.
- Asking you to sign blank or incomplete forms.
- Submitting information you don’t recognize.
- Telling you to exaggerate or make up facts.
- Refusing to give you copies of your paperwork.
- Charging large fees without explaining the work being done.
Going through the immigration process is hard enough as it is. So when the people you put your trust into actively mislead you—or worse, take advantage of you financially—it’s not something to ignore.
Get a Free Consultation From Maison Law Immigration Lawyers
Although our firm is based in California, Maison Law Immigration Lawyers is offering free consultations to victims of Luz del Camino Legal. We can:
- Review your immigration file
- Explain what was filed on your behalf
- Identify any issues
- Discuss your options for correcting the situation
Situations like this are incredibly disheartening, but unfortunately, they are becoming more and more common. Our team values open communication and always puts your needs first. If you have questions or just want to know where you stand currently, set up your free consultation today.
