July1- deadline for Immigrant Consultants to register with State

Utah legislature has passed an immigration related bill during its 2012 session. The bill is established to penalize the immigration consultants violating the law and defrauding the clients knowingly. Violators may face charges and or fine or both.

“According to a recent announcement, Immigration Consultants will have to register themselves with the state Division of Consumer Protection.”

As per the requirement of SB144, people or organizations operating as Immigration consultants should apply for permits and obtain bonds.

Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake, the Bill’s sponsor says, “This law will protect individuals from fraudsters looking to prey on the vulnerable and misrepresent themselves as an ‘attorney’ or ‘notary public’ through common language translation as well as legitimize the practice of the ones who truly help these communities in our state.”

Immigrant Consultants are to submit a finger print card. They have to undergo a criminal background check. Also, they to post a $50,000 bond with state regulators. An annual registration fee of 4240 will be charged from them.

Those failing to register would be sent letters intimating them the requirement. Continuation of services without registering would lead to cease and desist orders. This was informed by Traci Gunderson, division director in a press conference at State Senate Building.

According to Robles this legislation would secure legitimate businesses and penalize the victims by curbing the illegal practices.

Robles say, “The unauthorized Immigrant consultants steal the identities like birth certificates, passport and other immigration related documents.”

It is mandatory for the consultants to provide the clients with a written document entailing the services they would be rendering. This document should be printed in the native language so that the client can comprehend it easily.

Robles also mention the number of phone calls she has been receiving from the victims of fraud Immigrant Consultants.

Aaron Tarin, supports the law and says that “it was needed to regulate the practices of businesses owners.” He also says, “The regulation was needed for people with good intentions and bad intentions too.”

Tarin said, “The outright crooks want to take advantage of unsuspecting immigrants.”

Robles assures that they are also trying to prevent any confusion over people’s role too

SB144 was passed in both the houses of the Utah Legislature. This legislation allows people to lodge complaints against any kind of frauds or misleads one comes across.