Endorsed by VJ Part II

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

I'm restarting the question asked by Ahn Map last week regarding "for profit" services being endorsed by VisaJourney.

The question is - why?

I would urge moderators and Captain to carefully read these links direct from USCIS regarding immigration consultants. These links were taken down from Ahn Map's thread by a Mod for being "off topic". Odd, as the links are from the Service and they seem to be, in their entirety, about immigration consultancy firms.

I have sent these same links via private message to Ewok.

http://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services

Not sure what immigration benefit to apply for or which USCIS forms you need to file? Then you may need immigration legal advice.

Only attorneys or accredited representatives can:

• Give you legal advice about which forms to submit
• Explain immigration options you may have
• Communicate with USCIS about your case

An attorney or a BIA-accredited representative can legally represent you before USCIS. Your legal representative must file a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, with your application(s). USCIS will send information on your application to your legal representative.

http://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/common-scams

On November 20, 2014, the President announced a series of executive actions to crack down on illegal immigration at the border, prioritize deporting felons not families, and require certain undocumented immigrants to pass a criminal background check and pay taxes in order to temporarily stay in the U.S. without fear of deportation.

These initiatives have not yet been implemented, and USCIS is not accepting any requests or applications at this time. Beware of anyone who offers to help you submit an application or a request for any of these actions before they are available. You could become a victim of an immigration scam. Subscribe to the USCIS Executive Actions on Immigration web page to get updates when new information is posted.

If you need legal advice on immigration matters, make sure that the person you rely on is authorized to give you legal advice. Only an attorney or an accredited representative working for a Board of Immigration Appeals-recognized organization can give you legal advice.

The Internet, newspapers, radio, community bulletin boards and storefronts are filled with advertisements offering immigration help. Not all of this information is from attorneys and accredited representatives. There is a lot of information that comes from organizations and individuals who are not authorized to give you legal advice, such as “notarios” and other unauthorized representatives. The wrong help can hurt. Here is some important information that can help you avoid common immigration scams.

http://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/sites/detentionwatchnetwork.org/files/notarios_info_piece_englishfinal.pdf

“Notarios” or “Immigration Consultants” operate throughout the United States and use false advertising and fraudulent contracts for services which cannot be provided. They exploit the trust of immigrants who are new to this country, unfamiliar with our language and legal system, and who assume that a “notario” is a lawyer with a duty to protect their interests. Notarios hold themselves out as qualified to help immigrants obtain lawful immigration status, and may charge a lot of money for help that they never provide. Often, immigrants’ permanently lose opportunities to pursue immigration relief because a notario has damaged their case.

*edited for clarity*

Edited November 7, 2015 by Rebecca Jo

[heo luoi 206]

Whats the issue?

Whats the difference VJ endorses a site that does more hand holding for someone and ask for some compensation for their services?

VJ essentially assists with the same service for those willing to do the work themselves and even those folks that in all honestly should get some help hand holding for someone.

For those that want hand holding, having a place like VJ endorse them and give more credulity vs being a scam would be of value. Just trying to understand the big stink. General consensus threads here give RV rather positive marks.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

heo luoi:

http://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services

Need help with your USCIS forms?

You can file USCIS forms yourself, but many people choose to have help. You may need help writing in the answers to questions on USCIS forms or translating documents into English. You can get this type of limited help from anyone. This person should only charge you a small fee and not claim to have special knowledge of immigration law and procedure.

Not sure what immigration benefit to apply for or which USCIS forms you need to file? Then you may need immigration legal advice.

Only attorneys or accredited representatives can:

• Give you legal advice about which forms to submit
• Explain immigration options you may have
• Communicate with USCIS about your case

Edited November 8, 2015 by Rebecca Jo

[heo luoi 206]

Dearest Rebecca Jo. I'm earnestly trying to understand. As you mentioned there was a previous thread and yet its been resurrected.

Thank you for those. I been there read those. Before and after coming to VJ.

So with that Yes. I read your post and reviewed your link(s). I am honestly not trying to be obtuse....but I still don't think I understand the message you are trying to convey. Services like RV aren't dispensing any legal advice and agree shouldn't. I should note I have no experience w/ RV but read threads where overall people seemed grateful for their help.

This is one's own information/data and such and after being on VJ its so so clear so many people need and should get more handholding than VJ is intended for. Many users here seem incapable of using VJ properly.

Immigration is a critical part of ones life, they need to take more ownership of it. If that means some think they can pull their bootsraps up by doing themselves on VJ and soliciting the advice of people here than great, but others that want to goto a visa services provider, more power to them. Glad they have the funds to do so. As long as they are not misusing peoples private data and improperly dispensing legal advice than whats the differentiation?

I struggle to understand what the difference in the help VJ provides and the help a visa service provider offers is? Is it only cause they are 'getting paid'? And if there isn't a difference why is it an issue if VJ endorses someone else that also assists people with all the same things?

To me as a very elementary example I could look up on youtube how to fix my leaky faucet. But if that youtube video author endorsed a handyman, if i needed help.

If I needed something more complicated I'd get a licensed plumber.

If VJ wants to cultivate its own threads and assist by further providing 'advice' suggesting that many users have positive experiences w/ certain providers or even get ad revenue to power the site...I still fail to the see the issue?

That if VJ gets any kickbacks? That VJ is supporting other providers that ask for fixed compensation? I dont know how the heck this site is run, whom pays for the hosting fees, the admin time...etc Aside from old school veterans that haven't been burnt out yet astonishingly not sure how this site stays up aside from what I assume is some ad rev. From the utility of the site....that does not bother me one lick. And I thank all the alumni that stick around as even early on I continually struggle with burning out w/ all the newbie users that probably should just get a service.

Im glad VJ would rather say, hey if you still want help, many users have had good experience w/ these guys vs say those guys that suck. Cause its obvious people fail to search here.

People ask all kinds of things on VJ. I hardly see the distinguishment.

Those that want to probably overpay and get 'legal' help they can make sure their person fills out a g28

http://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/files/form/g-28instr.pdf

Millions of americans go to the strip malls and file their taxes w/ HRBlock and the ilk. None of those people are CPAs either.

heo luoi:

http://www.uscis.gov/avoid-scams/find-legal-services

Is this not exactly what VJ is trying to do w/ their endorsement?

Need help with your USCIS forms?

You can file USCIS forms yourself, but many people choose to have help. You may need help writing in the answers to questions on USCIS forms or translating documents into English. You can get this type of limited help from anyone. This person should only charge you a small fee and not claim to have special knowledge of immigration law and procedure.

Not sure what immigration benefit to apply for or which USCIS forms you need to file? Then you may need immigration legal advice.

Only attorneys or accredited representatives can:

• Give you legal advice about which forms to submit
• Explain immigration options you may have
• Communicate with USCIS about your case

How is any of this any different than what VJ does?

Edited November 8, 2015 by heo luoi

[X Factor 1,112]

VJ website has been an invaluable aid in getting my wife to the US and I did it by just following the instructions here for FREE. So if VJ endorses services to assist there shouldn't be a problem with that. It takes revenues to run a site. I hope VJ survives for many years so that it can assist others through a challenging immigration journey. If certain old timers cannot understand this then let them try to run a website like VJ for free. Let's see how long they will last.

[Villanelle 4,122]

"RapidVisa® is a U.S. Patent & Trademark Office Registered Trademark #77769205. We are not associated with any government agency. Our services include everything you need to get your visa or green card, but do not include legal services, legal advice or legal representation. Neither RapidVisa nor its employees claim to have any special knowledge of immigration law or procedure."

I too am not sure what your problem is with VJ endorsing them. ( I posted in the the one thread with a screen shot because it was unclear at the time if VJ as had actually allowed there name to be used or if it was done with out their knowledge by spam bots- it was clarified that they do endorse it)

They (rapidvisa) do not claim to provide legal services or legal advice or representation as they are not authorized to do so. So they do not fall into the warning category you listed above from USCIS.

In Anh Maps thread as well as the other thread linked to in it Ewok has explained Vj has decided to support/endorse a multitude of sites. Now you may not personally agree with all the sites VJ endorses. And thats fine- you dont need to. By the same token VJ does not have to explain their reasoning's behind giving someone support besides to say whats been said already

We have endorsed many organizations and businesses that have had solid feedback from members and provide service in the immigration sector. Hope that helps.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

X Factor -

It really doesn't matter what you think. Or what I think. Immigration is a federal matter and there is a highly detailed bank of law behind it.

This is a very important document that explains things. It's long though.

https://cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/chapter_4_1.pdf

Edited November 8, 2015 by Rebecca Jo

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Damara -

This isn't about agreement or disagreement.

This goes back to a very specific incident that happened in the very early years of VisaJourney. Approximately 2004. The Site Administration at that time took a very specific stance on how the site was to be run, based upon a threat leveled by someone who knew how to level it.

You may see nothing wrong with someone receiving compensation for assisting with immigration paperwork. In fact, it doesn't even take receiving compensation for an entity to be rightly accused of unauthorized practice of law.

Each time I have raised this issue (as did Darnell and Ahn Map) it was done with nothing more than the intent to bring it to Admin attention that there are fine lines which should not be crossed. Crossing them could indeed cause the website to be shut down.

[Villanelle 4,122]

Meh I dont know what Anh map or Darnells intent was in making their posts. Saying it was done to point out to the admin fine lines that shouldnt be crossed-- well thats putting words in their mouth they never said. They are both welcome to post here what their intent was. Unless something was deleted that I missed all their posts say is variations of is this accurate/true that Vj is now endorsing this. No reason why they were asking was provided.

Im not an admin/site owner nor do I wish to be. Im just pointing out the why was already given. (see quote above). You have now made it clear you are asking them to reconsider.

Im sure at some point they will post here with a response.

[X Factor 1,112]

X Factor -

It really doesn't matter what you think. Or what I think. Immigration is a federal matter and there is a highly detailed bank of law behind it.

This is a very important document that explains things. It's long though.

https://cliniclegal.org/sites/default/files/chapter_4_1.pdf

You are correct both our opinions don't matter. If VJ was doing something illegal this website would be shut down or forced to make changes.

BTW I hope you are not an IRS agent because I would fear having you audit me

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

You are correct both our opinions don't matter. If VJ was doing something illegal this website would be shut down or forced to make changes.

BTW I hope you are not an IRS agent because I would fear having you audit me

LOL. No IRS agent here.

I am hoping changes will be made. I don't see these types of banner ads flying across the tops of the other immigration forums that I read. I read several (just for reference).

[X Factor 1,112]

Fair enough. BTW I have at the bottom of the webpage an ad from "CapitalOne". I clicked on it. Then at the top of the page I see an ad from "New Relic" about don't trust the cloud. I I clicked on that.Then at the right side of the webpage I see and ad about online mediator training. (This ad came up because I reported a fake website that imitated Paypal. So the types of ad that appears are based on what one is interested in. Since you have been visiting immigration forums you are having lots of immigration related ads.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Fair enough. BTW I have at the bottom of the webpage an ad from "CapitalOne". I clicked on it. Then at the top of the page I see an ad from "New Relic" about don't trust the cloud. I I clicked on that.Then at the right side of the webpage I see and ad about online mediator training. (This ad came up because I reported a fake website that imitated Paypal. So the types of ad that appears are based on what one is interested in. Since you have been visiting immigration forums you are having lots of immigration related ads.

I also have loads of ads popping up for expensive watches, handbags, and clothes.

What I've noticed about the consultancy ads is they seem to appear at the tops of certain forums. They are pretty targeted.

[Villanelle 4,122]

I agree with the above. The consulting ads seem to be fixed in certain places and the rest of the ads are cookie based.

I would like to hear more about the reasons why linking/ endorsing a site like Rapid Visa poses a risk. Im just not seeing it. RV doesnt claim to give legal advice. They dont fall into the category of a scam agency by USCIS. From all appearances they are legally able to operate the way they are. So whats the risk to VJ?

[X Factor 1,112]

Cool VJ gets to earn revenue on banner ads. And hopefully the site will be around for years helping people with their immigration issues.