CONSUMER PROTECTION LAWS AS APPLIED TO LEGAL SERVICES

In 2014 several companies solicited immigrants seeking help with their immigration status. The companies charged as much as $12,000 to perform work on applications for citizenship, asylum and work permits. The companies held themselves out as legal specialists with expertise in immigration law.

In some cases, the immigrants, after paying the large fees, were unable to get the immigration assistance companies to respond to them. In one case, a woman was ordered to be deported because the company failed to notify her about a court hearing. In other cases, firms were alleged to have falsified signatures, prepared forms with wrong information, and pocketed money for services not provided.

Attorneys general enforce consumer protection laws, but some attorneys general in other states were taking a narrow view of who was a “consumer.” Lori Swanson believed that immigrants who paid money and were deceived by immigration assistance companies were “consumers” in the eyes of the law. And she filed suit on their behalf.

Defendants included American Group U.S., Inc. and the Legacy Firm Corporation. The court ordered the companies to:

Not accept funds for immigration assistance services.
Not hold themselves out as providing such services.
Not give legal advice regarding immigration services.
Not file legal documents in any court or administrative agency unless approved by an attorney.

References:

Swanson v. American Group US, Inc. et.al, Hennepin County District Court, Court File No. 27-CV-14-7627 (2014)
“Women Accused of Posing as a Lawyer,” Star Tribune, May 14, 2014, p.A6.
“State Suit Allleges Phony Immigration Legal Services” Pioneer Press, May 14, 2014, p.B1
https://www.twincities.com/2014/05/13/shakopee-woman-accused-of-defrauding-immigrants-with-phony-legal-services-2/