State law protects immigrants from fraud

PORTLAND – A new state law targets “immigration consultants” who pocket hefty fees for shoddy work that sometimes hurts rather than helps the country’s newcomers.

The new law imposes fines up to $5,000 and allows for court injunctions to stop negligent and unauthorized individuals from serving immigrants. It spells out who can and cannot practice immigration advising in Maine and authorizes the attorney general’s office to go after those who would defraud immigrants.

Immigrants often go to people in their own communities for help first. Sometimes, they go to consultants who charge fees.

Beth Stickney of the Portland-based Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project said problems crop up when improperly trained consultants become involved, “and they end up messing things up.”

Mistakes in applications, papers sent to the wrong addresses and missed deadlines all can lead to serious problems up to deportation, she said.