Newsroom & Articles

  September 25, 2025 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez Warns of Online Immigration Attorney Scams and Highlights Tips for Spotting Fraudulent Attorneys 

Albuquerque, NM – New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez and the State Bar of New Mexico are warning New Mexicans of rising numbers in online scammers posing as legitimate immigration attorneys. These scammers initiate direct contact via social media and may use the names and license numbers of real attorneys to “prove” their legitimacy. The New Mexico Department of Justice (NMDOJ) is sharing helpful tips to spot these scammers, advice for those who may be affected as well as a list of resources to contact for more information. 

Not only are these scammers requesting money under false pretenses, but in some cases they have also reportedly provided incorrect legal advice, causing some individuals to miss immigration appointments or hearings – leading to potential detainment or deportation. 

“These scammers go to great lengths to deceive people, targeting immigrant communities seeking legal help,” said Attorney General Raúl Torrez. “They use sophisticated schemes to gain trust and steal money. My office will not tolerate those who prey on people in need, and we are working closely with the State Bar to protect New Mexicans and raise awareness of these scams.” 

Helpful tips to spot a fraudulent immigration attorney include: 

•   If someone contacts you via any social media platform claiming to be an immigration attorney and wanting to take your case – it is likely a scam. 

           -  In New Mexico, it is a violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct for an attorney to contact an individual directly to offer paid legal services. 

• Anyone asking for money via gift cards, bitcoin or apps like Venmo or Zelle is likely fraudulent – do not send money or any personal information to anyone who makes contact via social media. 
• Anyone offering a price for services that sounds too good to be true is likely fraudulent. 
• Look out for imposter websites, for example, any legitimate federal website should end in “.gov” 

What to do if you think you or someone you know has been contacted by a fraudulent attorney: 

• Don’t fall for someone rushing you for payment or threatening deportation 

        - If you feel pressured, walk away – it is likely a scam 

•  Contact the State Bar of New Mexico State to aid in assessing an attorney’s legitimacy 

 - Notes:  

•  If a scammer is using a real name and license number, the information they provide may show up as legitimate in the State Bar’s system. 
• Since immigration attorneys are not required to be licensed in N.M. to practice immigration law in the state, there may be legitimate attorneys the State Bar of NM does not have in its database. 
• Contact the named attorney’s office directly via the contact information on their official website to ask if they contacted you.  

General tips for those paying for an attorney’s services: 

•   Always thoroughly review any contract to understand the services you are receiving and keep a copy of any agreements. 
•  Review any applications or forms submitted before signing and get copies for your records – never sign a blank document. 
• Always keep your original documents, only give copies when necessary. 

The NMDOJ has updated its Scam Prevention and Identity Theft web page to include information on this new and growing scam here: https://nmdoj.gov/get-help/scam-prevention-and-identity-theft/. Links on this page include fact sheets in both English and Spanish, along with a list of resources throughout the state where New Mexicans can access reliable assistance regarding immigration issues. 

View fact sheets with more information, in both English and Spanish, attached.

For more information, contact the NMDOJ at 505-490-4060, or the State Bar of New Mexico for assistance in confirming validity of attorneys at 505-797-6000.