New York Immigrant Services Law

The New York Immigrant Services Law mandates important requirements for
immigrant assistance service providers, or non-attorneys who offer limited
immigration assistance to the public. Under this law, providers cannot (1) give
legal advice or counsel a person on their eligibility for immigration status, including how to fill
out answers on immigration forms, (2) state or hint that they can influence, or get special
favors or specific outcomes from, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the
Department of Homeland Security, the Executive Office for Immigration Review, or any other
government entity, or (3) demand a fee for providing immigration forms or a referral to a
qualified legal service provider. Providers must provide written contracts in the language
understood by the immigrant customer and post clear, multi-lingual, signage about the limited
scope of their services. Further, customers can cancel their contracts and get a refund and
have their original documents and immigration file returned to then, even if there is a fee
dispute. Anyone who believes they have been scammed or to report an entity that is not
following the law can make a complaint to the NY Attorney General at 1-800-771-7755.