As an immigration lawyer in San Francisco, I regularly sit across from distressed families like Maria A., a Guatemalan who came to the U.S. in 2023 hoping to escape poverty and reunite with her brother. She fell for a common sales pitch while meeting with a notario on Mission Street: “Just pay $6,000, and I’ll get you a legal work permit (a pseudonym used to protect her identity with generalized facts).”
Families walk out of these storefront offices with a false sense of hope. After several months, they obtain their work permits. But what they don’t realize is that, in exchange, the “notario” has just triggered a legal process that can lead to a removal hearing.
The illusion of safety: How immigrants fall for scams
In order to obtain a work permit, you must have an open immigration case, like asylum or certain visa applications. This is known as a “derivative benefit”.
To get that work permit, some notarios file what I call “ghost” asylum claims without explaining the consequences to you. Time and again, clients tell me the notario simply said, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything.” With that trust, the notario checks boxes claiming torture or persecution that the client never experienced in their home country.
Because the system is backlogged, the work permit arrives. You feel safe. You start building your life, sending your children to local schools, and settling into your community. For a while, everything feels stable.
Then the court date arrives. Suddenly, the notario stops answering your calls. You’re left in immigration court standing before a judge with a meritless application and no evidence.
And the consequences can be severe.
Losing your case is only part of the risk. If a judge determines that an asylum application was knowingly false — what immigration law calls a “frivolous” claim — you can be permanently ineligible for any future immigration benefit in the United States.
How to avoid notario scams
In September 2025, a San Francisco Superior Court ordered the firm Lacayo & Associates to pay more than $600,000 for operating a predatory notario scheme that provided unauthorized immigration services.
These scams persist, especially in the Latino community, because the term “notario” carries a very different meaning in many Latin American countries, where notarios are licensed legal professionals. But in the United States, however, only licensed attorneys are allowed to provide legal advice.
To avoid the notario trap, follow these guidelines:
- Identify their credentials: Pay attention to how the person describes themselves. Do they call themselves a notario, a consultant or lawyer? The language they use matters.
- Check the bar: In California, only licensed attorneys can give legal advice. Look them up on the State Bar of California website. If they aren’t listed, they aren’t authorized to represent you.
- Demand a translation: Never sign Form I-589 (application for asylum) if you don’t understand every word on the page. If a notario tells you “don’t worry about the details,” that is a massive red flag.
- Get a written contract: Any legitimate service provider will give you a written contract in Spanish. Read it carefully before signing it.
Notario scams are not worth it. Here are other paths.
Many people come to my law practice in a panic, asking if the damage can be undone. Sometimes it can, but often, the damage is done.
Before you pay for a “guaranteed” work permit, ask yourself: Is a temporary work permit worth risking your future in this country?
Not being eligible for asylum is very different from being found to have filed a frivolous claim. If your asylum case is weak, there may still be other legal options available. For example, if you were a victim of a crime, you might qualify for a U Visa, which can provide both a work permit and a pathway to permanent residency. The I-601A provisional waiver (commonly known as “El Perdón”) may be an option for certain spouses or children of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. These are real pathways, but they deserve real legal guidance. Talk to a real attorney to figure out what are the best options for you.
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Amigo Abogado is a legal information column for San Francisco’s immigrant communities. I answer your questions, explain your rights, and share practical guidance to help you navigate the immigration system with more clarity and confidence. If you have a question or concern, I’m here to help.
Disclaimer: This column provides general legal information and is not a substitute for individualized legal advice. Reading this column does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified immigration attorney.
