Fraudulent legal advice causing immigrants problems

Complaints of fraudulent and unethical legal advice that may result in the deportation of immigrants are becoming more prevalent in Iowa, according to a state official and immigration attorneys.

The Iowa attorney general’s office is investigating an allegation of immigration fraud that is taking place primarily in central Iowa, said Bill Brauch, director from the office’s consumer protection division. He said he could not provide further details while the case is under investigation.

Illegal and unethical immigration law advice runs so rampant around the country that Citizenship and Immigration Services, a federal agency, teamed up in June using the Federal Trade Commission, state and federal prosecutors, and immigrant advocates to combat the issue.

Officials in many states, from California to Kentucky, have investigated individuals and proposed legislation in recent years to combat the problem.