USCIS, ICE, and Immigration Scams Against Senior Immigrants and Their Families

Immigration scams target older immigrants for a simple reason. Fear of government, fear of deportation, and a real wish to fix a real paperwork problem make people act fast. Scammers use that fear. They call you in your own language. They say they are from USCIS, ICE, or the federal courts. They demand money. They threaten arrest, deportation, or loss of your green card. This page explains the most common immigration scam patterns, the difference between a real lawyer and a fake “notario,” and how to verify any person who offers to help with immigration. The basic rule is the same in every case: real USCIS officers do not call you and ask for money or threaten you over the phone.

Was someone targeted? If someone is calling now and saying you will be deported or arrested if you do not pay: hang up. The real ICE and USCIS do not work this way. Call Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for a free interpreter, or read our First 24 Hours Emergency Guide if money has already moved.

Two facts the scammers do not want you to know: First, USCIS does not call you to demand fees over the phone. Real USCIS fees are paid online at uscis.gov or by mail with a real form. Second, in the United States, a notario is NOT a lawyer. A notary public can witness signatures but cannot give legal advice or fill out immigration forms. In many Spanish-speaking countries, the word “notario” means a trained lawyer. In the United States it does not. Many notario scammers use this confusion to take money for immigration help they are not allowed to give.

Who Is Targeted

Anyone whose immigration status involves the U.S. government can be a target. But scammers often focus on:

  • Older immigrants whose first language is not English
  • Recent green card holders or U.S. citizens who became citizens recently
  • Older adults applying for citizenship, renewing a green card, or sponsoring a family member
  • Undocumented older adults — often the most fearful and least likely to report
  • Mixed-status families where some members are citizens, some are not, and the parent or grandparent is unsure of the rules

Common Immigration Scam Patterns

1. The fake USCIS call

Someone calls and says they are from USCIS. The caller ID may show a Washington, D.C. area code or even a fake USCIS number. They say there is a problem with your case. They say your green card is in danger. They say there is a “fee” or “fine” you must pay right now to fix the problem. They ask for gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

The real USCIS never calls and demands payment. All real USCIS fees are listed online and are paid through official channels. If a problem exists with your case, USCIS sends you a letter on official paper, by mail.

2. The fake ICE deportation threat

Someone calls and says they are from ICE or “Immigration.” They say you are being investigated. They say a removal order has been issued. They say you can avoid being arrested if you pay a “bond” or “fee” right now. They may threaten to come to your house.

ICE does not collect fees by phone. Real removal proceedings happen through immigration court with written notices. If you are unsure whether something is real, do not give any information over the phone. Call a real immigration attorney or a nonprofit legal aid organization.

3. The notario / fake immigration consultant

Someone advertises in your community as a “notario,” “immigration consultant,” “form preparer,” or “visa expert.” They charge you to fill out immigration forms. They promise results they cannot deliver. They sometimes file the wrong forms. They sometimes do not file anything at all. By the time you discover the problem, your case is harmed and your money is gone.

In the United States, only three groups of people are allowed to give immigration legal advice:

  • A licensed attorney, in good standing in their state bar
  • An accredited representative of a Department of Justice-recognized organization (often a nonprofit)
  • You yourself, filling out your own forms with help from official USCIS resources

No one else is allowed to give you immigration legal advice. A notary public, a “consultant,” or a “preparer” who is not on this list cannot legally advise you. Check accredited representatives at the Department of Justice EOIR list, or use the USCIS “Find Legal Services” page at uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-services.

4. Visa lottery and “green card” scams

Someone tells you they can guarantee you a U.S. green card or a visa, or that you have “won” the diversity visa lottery and must pay a fee to claim it. The real Diversity Visa Lottery is free to enter and never charges fees through unofficial websites or callers. If anyone tells you that you have won, ask where exactly the win was announced. Check the official State Department site at travel.state.gov.

5. Fake “work permit” or “social security card” services

Some scammers charge fees to “speed up” work permits, Social Security cards, replacement green cards, or other documents. These services either provide nothing or simply file forms you could have filed yourself for the real, low USCIS fee. Real USCIS fees are listed at uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees. Real Social Security cards are free.

6. The Supreme Court / SSA letter scam targeting recent immigrants

A recent scam, warned about by the Social Security Administration in October 2025, uses fake U.S. Supreme Court letterhead and forged justice signatures to threaten recipients with criminal charges and asset seizure. Immigrants are particularly targeted because the scam plays on fear of U.S. authority. The Supreme Court does not send personal threat letters. Read more in our Social Security and Medicare Scams guide.

Red Flags in Any Immigration Contact

  • The caller demands payment by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or cash in the mail
  • The caller says you will be arrested or deported “today” or “this week”
  • The caller pressures you to not talk to family, your lawyer, or your community
  • The caller has a foreign accent that does not match the agency or asks for personal information you would not normally share
  • The website URL is not uscis.gov, ice.gov, or another genuine .gov address
  • The “lawyer” or “notario” is not listed on the State Bar or in the Department of Justice accredited representative database
  • The price is much lower than what real immigration attorneys charge — many real attorneys offer low-fee or free consultations, but no honest person can do an entire case for $100

How to Find a Real Immigration Lawyer or Legal Aid

  1. Department of Justice EOIR List of Recognized Organizations and Accredited Representatives: justice.gov/eoir/list-of-pro-bono-legal-service-providers-map — free or low-cost legal help, by state
  2. USCIS Find Legal Services: uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct/avoid-scams/find-legal-services
  3. State Bar Association lawyer referral services — every U.S. state has one. Many offer reduced-fee initial consultations.
  4. American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA): ailalawyer.com — find an immigration attorney
  5. Local nonprofit legal aid: the Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) can help find one in your area

Where to Report Immigration Scams

  • USCIS Tip Form: report scams at uscis.gov/scams-fraud-and-misconduct
  • FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov (English) or reportefraude.ftc.gov (Spanish)
  • State Attorney General consumer protection office — many AGs prosecute notario fraud
  • National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11
  • Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 — 200+ language interpreters
  • If you have been physically threatened or harmed: call 911

Help Us Reach Other Families

If a senior in your family was targeted by a scam, your story can help others. We do not use your name. Share your story here.

Need help reporting a scam? Our Report an Online Scam page lists the right phone numbers and websites.

Not sure what a word means? Our Scam & Cybersecurity Glossary explains common words in plain English.