CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19 ADVISORY

Due to the health risks posed by the Corona Virus tragedy, our office is following the directives of the governor of California in order to minimize the risks to our staff, our clients and our community. Our office will continue to operate fully, as it has thus far, observing our normal schedule, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. We will continue to schedule appointments to meet with clients and will do this via ZOOM or Telephone only.

If you would like to schedule an appointment with any of our lawyers or staff members, please do so by calling our office at 619-291-1112. You can also contact us via e-mail at [email protected]janbejar.com

Thank you for your understanding.

AVISO DE CORONA VIRUS / COVID-19

Debido a los riesgos para la salud planteados por la tragedia del Virus Corona, nuestra oficina está siguiendo las directivas del gobernador de California para minimizar los riesgos para nuestro personal, nuestros clientes y nuestra comunidad. Nuestra oficina seguirá funcionando a pleno, como lo ha hecho hasta ahora, cumpliendo con nuestro horario habitual, de lunes a viernes de 8:30 a.m. a 5:30 p.m. Continuaremos programando citas para reunirnos con los clientes y lo haremos solo a través de ZOOM o por teléfono.

Si desea programar una cita con alguno de nuestros abogados o miembros del personal, hágalo llamando a nuestra oficina al 619-291-1112. También puede contactarnos por correo electrónico a [email protected]

Gracias por su comprensión.

Resolving Immigration ProblemsIn An Honest & Responsible Manner

California man charged for running citizenship scam

A California man was recently arrested and charged for allegedly running a seven-state immigrantion scam. He is accused of offering a pathway to citizenship through adult adoptions. This scam is believed to have victimized at least 500 immigrants.

According to a recent report, the accused collected approximately $500,000 from individuals who believed that he would be able to grant them citizenship through adoption. Adult adoptions are legal in the United States. They are typically used in cases in which disabled adults need care. However, these adoptions do not affect one’s legal immigrantion status.

This particular scheme started back in 2012 when the accused opened Americans Helping America Chamber of Commerce. Staff was hired and on hand to assist with the adoption processes, and he paid recruiters $1,500 for each immigrant they brought to him for help. His victims paid up to $10,000 each for the promise of citizenship through adoption — a process he allegedly told them would only take a year or two. The accused is not facing up to 20 years in prison if he is convicted on the immigrantion fraud charges.

This scam is certainly unique in that adult adoptions are possible, making this seem like a credible pathway to citizenship. However, immigrantion matters are never so simple and adoption into a family does not guarantee citizenship will be granted. Undocumented immigrants currently residing in California can take legitimate steps to applying for citizenship. This starts by seeking out the assistance of an experienced immigrantion attorney and filing the appropriate applications with any requested documentation.

Source: ABC News, “Feds Charge California Man in 7-State immigrantion Scam”, Don Thompson, Feb. 11, 2016

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