The Catholic Conference of Kentucky, the public policy arm of the state’s bishops, issued a warning last week about a fraud that targets young immigrants who came to the United States without documentation.
The fraud schemes began surfacing in Kentucky and elsewhere after President Barack Obama announced June 15 that the U.S. will stop deporting certain young people who are in the country illegally because they were brought to the United States as minors. The policy is akin to the DREAM Act, which has languished in Congress.
The CCK noted in an email sent July 5 that immigrants seeking refuge in the new policy “must apply and be approved for this temporary stay.” That opens a door to fraud, the email said.
“Some, called notarios, will offer them help, but in reality will take advantage of them, steal their money and not file the proper application,” the CCK said.
“We are alerting those who work with our immigrant populations to be aware of this potential for cheating them,” it said. “Government authorities charged with immigration enforcement have asked that if you know of someone, who is not an attorney or who is not an accredited representative, advertising that they can help someone apply for the DREAM deferred action, then you should call the Immigration and Customs Enforcement folks at 1-866-347-2423 and report this.”
Authorities will need the name and address of those suspected of fraud, the CCK email said.
