MASSACHUSETTS AUTHORITIES CRACK DOWN ON BOSTON NOTARIO

Authorities in Boston have issued an injunction ordering Jorge M. Dias to cease the unauthorized practice of law and are investigating his files in an effort to find out how many people he swindled.  Dias is a “notario,” which is the Spanish translation for a notary public.  A notario in Mexico is also an attorney who specializes in estate matters.  This linguist confusion has led many immigrants to seek assistance from notarios, many of whom are not only not authorized to practice law, but who actively steal from their clients, promising them things that are not possible and never filing anything.

According to law enforcement authorities, some notarios, such as Dias, do more than just not file papers.  Dias filed papers for a labor certification for many people who had been in the US without authorization.  This brought people to the attention of the INS, and for many, resulted in their deportation.  While Dias claims he did not mislead anyone into thinking he was an attorney, his office door calls him “Esquire,” and under him name on his letterhead, it says “Attorney at Law.”  While the letterhead does state that he is licensed in Brazil and Cape Verde, the state argues that Dias was holding himself out as an attorney licensed to practice in the US.

State officials believe that Dias relied on the fear of immigrants, especially the undocumented, to report his activities.  They also have evidence that when a client did actually make a formal complaint, he would call and threaten them with the INS.  In 1994, Dias was fined and ordered to stop holding himself out as a lawyer.  He was also ordered to provide $5000 in restitution to clients, only $500 of which was paid.

Authorities are going through his cases to see if any of his clients can be helped.  About 50 members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association have volunteered to provide assistance on a pro bono basis.

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