Immigrants preparing to apply for benefits under the amnesty-related settlements need to be aware of possible bad advice from unscrupulous members of the legal profession, according to immigration advocates.  There are specific criteria that an applicant must meet in order to qualify and there is a concern that immigrants may pay for help that would only help the person who is offering the advice.

The first settlement, which was approved last month, is expected to benefit approximately 150,000 immigrants nationwide.  A second settlement is awaiting approval at any time.

In order to qualify, the beneficiaries must have lived in the United States illegally prior to Jan. 1, 1982, until the date between May 1987 and May 1988 when they were turned away by immigration authorities or by a nonprofit government contractor.

The process is expected to begin in May, with immigrants having one year to apply.  However, it is too early to hire consultants to help process paperwork according to the lead attorney on both settlement cases.

In order to make the process more streamlined, applicants can began gathering documentation of the time that they spent in the United States, including rent receipts, stamped letters, photographs, utility bills and paycheck stubs.  Applicants can also make a list of people who would sign declarations attesting to the applicants’ presence in the US.