FIEL, a Houston-based immigrant advocacy organization, held a press conference Thursday to raise awareness about a growing problem: Fraudulent legal advice related to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
FIEL Executive Director Cesar Espinosa said some attorneys are misleading immigrants into believing they qualify for VAWA benefits based on minor incidents, such as petty arguments or children refusing to attend school.
Recommended Videos
Families are reportedly paying $15,000 to $20,000 for these applications, only to later be denied and placed in deportation proceedings.
Espinosa encouraged victims to report these attorneys, calling the exploitation “a disgrace” and warning of the serious consequences families now face.
Attorney Ray Gonzalez, who works with FIEL, emphasized that filing fraudulent VAWA claims is a federal crime. He said dishonest attorneys often falsely assure clients that their spouses will not be notified or that they qualify regardless of their situation.
In response, FIEL and Gonzalez are now offering to help victims file official grievances at no cost and plan to report the involved attorneys to the State Bar of Texas and other authorities.
MORE FROM FIEL: FIEL representatives highlight issues impacting Houston’s immigrant families
A local family shared that they paid over $15,000 for a VAWA case that led to the father’s deportation despite having received a work permit. “We were told to lie to immigration,” the wife said. “Now our children cry every day for their dad.”
Espinosa urged families to get a second opinion if they suspect their case may have been mishandled.