Practicing
Law without License
By
Sardar N. Durrani
Attorney at Law
According to the Miami
Herald, a Lauderdale Lakes non-profit organization
is being investigated by two agencies based in New
York amidst allegations that the group has promised
work permits and assistance with amnesty to many
people who did not qualify for such benefits. Around
20 individuals claim that the Haitian-American Community
Help Organization (HACHO) charged them $450 each
for work permits, but that they did not receive
this benefit.
Daily, hundreds of illegal
immigrants from as far away as New York flocked
to the offices of HACHO after having heard that
this organization could get them work permits and
that there was a special amnesty program available
in Florida. According to complaints, HACHO would
file applications for work permits on behalf of
the aliens who would receive receipt notices issued
from Immigration that they used to obtain driver’s
licenses. HACHO’s founder and president, Al Bonnie,
denies any wrong-doing.
Those considering applying
for such services should be advised that Immigration
only issues employment authorization to legal workers
and to students working in training programs. Illegal
immigrants are not eligible to apply for this benefit.
An application for work authorization that shows
that the applicant seeks asylum is frivolous and
may cause serious problems for the applicant down
the road. Upon investigation, the applicant may
be subject to deportation or removal proceedings.
The American Immigration
Law Foundation offers the following advice to those
seeking legal services: “Be wary of unlicensed operators!
They are not accountable to anyone. They are known
for taking people’s money and doing nothing. Or
worse, they may lie to the government in your name
for a quick, simple solution that in the end may
result in your deportation or permanent exclusion
from the US. If you are not sure whether the person
offering you immigration services is a lawyer or
an accredited representative.
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