New non-immigrant and immigrant application fees

Immigrant visa application processing fees and other immigrant visa services fees changed on July

13, 2010, and immigrant visa application processing fees will be tiered. On June 28, 2010, the Department of State published its Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register. The Schedule includes fees for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services.

The changes will take effect on July 13, 15 days after publication in the Federal Register. The revised fees will cover actual operating expenses for the 301 overseas consular posts, 23 domestic passport agencies and other centers that provide these consular services to U.S. and foreign citizens.

The 27 adjusted fees are based on a Cost of Service Study completed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009. The study, which was the most detailed and exhaustive ever conducted by the Department of State, established the true cost of providing these con- sular services, which by law must be recovered through collection of fees.

How and where to file complaints against “notarios” and immigration

consultants

The American Immigration Lawyers Association published a state-bystate guide to assist injured consumers with information to take legal action against immigration consultants and “notarios” who prey on America’s immigrant community. Many noncitizens who would otherwise qualify for immigration benefits discover they will never be successful because an immigration “consultant” has destroyed their dreams.

Don’t let this happen to you! While many legitimate community and religious organizations provide immigration related services, non-lawyers who advertise as legal “consultants” or “notarios” are not authorized or qualified to help with immigration matters.

It is against the law for “public notaries” or even foreign lawyers who are not licensed in the United States to provide immigration advice-even “just” filling out forms is something that only a licensed, properly trained lawyer or accredited representative should do.

Only a U.S. licensed lawyer or accredited representative is authorized and qualified to assist with your immigration case. Unlike “consultants,” lawyers have completed extensive education and training before being licensed to represent clients. You can verify whether a lawyer is in good standing and licensed to help you by contacting your state bar association.

Lawyers are also required to maintain high ethical standards – and if they don’t, you can contact your local bar association for action. When a consultant promises to help but doesn’t deliver the damage may not be fixable, and there may be nowhere else to turn.

Have you been harmed by a

consultant or “notario”?

By promising too much and knowing too little unauthorized consultants often shatter immigrants’ dreams. They will promise low cost, quick results, but often do not know the law. Even if they actually do the work and file the papers, they may do it incorrectly and cause permanent harm. Furthermore, many are little better than scam artists, taking their client’s trust and money and never having to answer for the results.

If you believe you are a victim of one of these consultants, then this guide will assist you in finding help in your state. You can ask the government to take action against the consultant who harmed you. Your complaint can make a difference.

Using this Guide

This guide contains information, names, telephone numbers and addresses to help consumers take action against predators who have harmed them and their immigration dreams.