Articles posted on AILA InfoNet (July 12, 2004) report that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott is seeking out and attempting to shut down fraudulent businesses that pose as immigration consultants.  The businesses advertise themselves as being able to secure immigration benefits such as work permits and permanent residency for immigrants, however, some provide little, if any, service.  Two recent announcements show that Abbott is using both civil and criminal courts to shut down these immigrant-abusing operations.

In a Cameron County State District Court, Martha Uresti was ordered to pay fines and attorneys’ fees of nearly $200,000 because she falsely advertised herself as an attorney who could assist immigrants.  Uresti, a notary public, violated Texas law when she presented herself to clients as a “notario público”—a title used in Latin America for a highly experienced attorney.  She often charged immigrants as much as $3,000 for services that she never provided nor was legally permitted to provide.  Criminal charges against Uresti remain pending.

In Northern Texas, a federal court convicted Maria Elena Garza and two family members for defrauding hundreds of immigrants in the Dallas area.  Abbott teamed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to investigate and bring charges against Garza, who had promised benefits to immigrants and never delivered.  In February, Abbott successfully sued Garza for $1.4 million in an independent civil lawsuit.  Garza will serve 97 months in a federal prison for her convictions.