Is it illegal to hire someone who is not a lawyer to help with my asylum application?

It is not illegal for you to hire a non-attorney for general help, like translation. But only licensed attorneys and USCIS-accredited representatives can legally represent you before USCIS or in immigration court. If someone else does that, they are breaking the law — and your case could be at risk.

What happens to my asylum case if my representative filed fake documents?

USCIS can deny your application or take back any benefits already granted if fraud is found in your file. In some cases, you could face removal proceedings. If you think false documents were filed in your name, talk to a licensed immigration attorney right away.

How do I know if someone is a real immigration attorney?

You can check if a person is a licensed attorney through the state bar association in the state where they practice. You can also ask USCIS if a representative is accredited. If someone only has a business card or calls themselves a 'notario' or 'immigration consultant,' that does not mean they are authorized to represent you.

How do I report immigration fraud to USCIS?

You can use the USCIS Tip Form, available at uscis.gov. You can submit a tip anonymously. USCIS works with federal law enforcement to investigate reports of fraud.

Chicago Man Jailed 9 Years for Asylum Fraud 2026

What Sosa Cardona did — and how he got caught

Sosa Cardona ran a company called Delta Global Solutions, Inc. From 2020 to 2024, he helped clients apply for asylum, immigrant visas, and other immigration benefits. But the help was not real. He made up foreign police reports and other documents to support his clients' asylum claims. He also told clients and USCIS that he was a licensed attorney. He was not — and he had no legal right to represent anyone in US immigration proceedings.

In 2024, federal agents searched his electronic devices and found nearly 2,877 photos and videos of child sexual abuse material. Investigators also found that he filed false tax returns and did not pay taxes he had withheld from his employees' paychecks from 2020 to 2023. That caused a loss of about $316,000 to the IRS. USCIS worked closely with ICE Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, the US Postal Inspection Service, and federal prosecutors throughout the multi-year investigation.

Sosa Cardona, 41, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to conspiracy to defraud the US, possession of child pornography, and tax fraud. US District Judge Sunil R. Harjani imposed the nine-year sentence in federal court in Chicago. The case was part of a broader push by the Department of Justice, which created the National Fraud Enforcement Division on April 7, 2026, to prosecute people who misuse federal benefit programs — including immigration benefits.

What to do if you used an unauthorized immigration representative

Check your representative's credentials. Only licensed attorneys and accredited representatives can legally represent you before USCIS or in immigration court. You can verify an attorney's license through your state bar association's website.
Review any documents filed on your behalf. If someone submitted false information to USCIS in your name — even without your knowledge — your case may be affected. Lawyers recommend contacting a licensed immigration attorney as soon as possible to review your file.
Report suspected fraud to USCIS. If you believe someone is running a fake immigration service, you can report it using the USCIS Tip Form at uscis.gov. You do not need to give your name.
Do not ignore USCIS notices. If USCIS sends you a request for evidence or a notice of intent to deny, respond by the deadline. Missing deadlines can lead to denial or removal proceedings.

Chicago Man Gets 9 Years for Fake Asylum Claims and Fraud