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Be aware of fake immigration consultants
Be aware of fake immigration consultants in Canada
Be aware of fake immigration consultants. In 2022, we received the case of Ricardo and his partner. They applied for asylum on the recommendation of a lawyer they found on social media. They visited his office in Downtown Toronto, on the 44th floor, with a spectacular view, a luxurious office, and everything seemed to be in order.
They scheduled their hearing for September of last year. But as the date approached, the lawyer told them it was best to represent themselves, with the excuse that “there was too much nervousness in the hearing”. First Red Flag.
They began to suspect something fishy with the lawyer and his firm. So, Ricardo and his partner came to Moradha, where we clarified that the lawyer should accompany the client during the hearing, representing them, advising them, and preparing them for it. When we searched for the lawyer’s name and license number, we realized they did not have the license to represent them formally—the second Red Flag.
Meanwhile, the supposed lawyer continued to charge them money and threatened them with a promissory note that, according to him, they had signed. By then, they had already paid him $3,000.00, and he was demanding an additional $1,500.00 for a hearing they would not attend. Third Red Flag.
There were 15 days left for Ricardo and his partner to have the hearing. So, at Moradha, we immediately managed to postpone their hearing, gaining more time to prepare them. The response was positive from the Refugee Council, and they were granted a new date in November of the same year. This is how the evidence was gathered to support their case submitted to the Refugee Council on time. On November 9, 2022, Ricardo and his partner had the hearing, and on January 10, 2023, they received the letter with the favourable resolution of their process.
This case shows us several red flags and leaves us with several lessons:
Immigration lawyers in Canada are regulated by the relevant law societies in the provinces or territories where they practice. The Law Society of Upper Canada, also known as the Law Society of Ontario, regulates lawyers in Ontario.
On the other hand, the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC) is the designated regulatory body for immigration consultants in Canada. Immigration consultants are professionals who are authorized to provide immigration advice and services.
Above all, their billing system should not be based on threats and should be clear to both parties, starting the process with a contract signed by both the lawyer or consultant and the client.
Have you had any incidents with immigration lawyers?
Share your experiences so that others can learn from them.