SOURCE: Gema de las Heras, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

There’s lots of news lately about a new immigration process for spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens. If you’ve been paying attention, the scammers have too. They might call, email, or send text messages claiming to have special access. Or say they can help you apply now, for a fee of course. But those are lies. Here’s how to find out if you’ll be eligible and avoid immigration scams.

The first thing to know is that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) won’t accept applications until August 19, 2024. Its webpage has the latest official information on eligibility and the process that might help some spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country.

When changes like this happen, scammers take advantage by creating official-looking websites and inventing immigration programs that don’t exist. To avoid these scams, learn to detect the fakes and:

• Know there’s no special or early access. Only scammers will claim there is. Instead, get the latest updates at uscis.gov/KeepingFamiliesTogether.
• Find qualified immigration help.  Specialized lawyers and accredited representatives are prepared and authorized to help people with immigration paperwork and advice. Don’t go to unauthorized immigration consultants or notarios for immigration or legal help.
• Never pay for forms or sign blank documents. Official immigration forms are free. If someone tries to charge you for the forms or asks you to sign blank forms, you’re dealing with a scammer.
• Spread the word. Even if this process doesn’t apply to you, please share this information with people in immigrant communities.

Check out ftc.gov/languages for more advice in a dozen languages. Suspect an immigration scam? Tell the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov — or in Spanish at ReporteFraude.ftc.gov. To report in other languages, call (877) 382-4357 and press 3 to speak to an interpreter in your preferred language.