The U.S. Office of Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S. C.I.S.) has announced it is accepting applications for the new federal “deferred action” immigration program. Please protect yourself if you intend to hire someone to assist you in filing the Application for Temporary Protected Status (U.S. C.I.S. Form I- 821) and other required forms for this new program.

Only attorneys, and properly-accredited non-lawyer representatives and agencies granted official recognition by the Board of Immigration Appeals, are allowed to assist you in preparing immigration documents, such as the I-821. For general information about immigration and naturalization, go to www.uscis.gov.

To find an immigration attorney who is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, go to www.cobar.org/directory. To find an immigration attorney who is a member of the Colorado American Immigration Lawyers Association, go to www.ailacolorado.org.

For a current list of non-lawyer accredited representatives and agencies authorized by federal law to provide low-cost assistance, go to www.uscis.gov/legaladvice. For a link to the U.S.C.I.S. site that provides a copy of the Application For Temporary Protected Status and instructions, go to: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

In many other countries, the word “notario” means that an individual is an attorney, but that is not true in the United States. Individuals seeking help with immigration questions should be very careful before paying money to non-attorneys.

Notarios, notaries public, and immigration consultants may NOT give you legal advice on what immigration benefit you may apply for or what to say in an immigration interview. These individuals may NOT hold themselves out as qualified in legal matters or in immigration and naturalization services. If you have paid money to a “notario” or “immigration consultant” for assistance in preparing your immigration documents, you may be entitled to a refund from such individual.

If a notary public or immigration consultant has performed legal work for you, you should call the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation to file an unauthorized practice of law complaint. The Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel investigates every complaint, and may be able to help you get a refund. The Colorado Secretary of State regulates notaries public. If you believe a notary public has acted improperly, you can also file a complaint with the Secretary of State.

Colorado Supreme Court
Office of Attorney Regulation
(303) 866-6400