“U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reminds people that all of our forms are free from our Saipan office and online at www.uscis.gov/forms. It is not illegal for someone to charge a fee for a form if you want to pay for something that is free,” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regional media manager Marie Therese Sebrechts said in an email to Variety.
Variety was told some guest workers on Saipan paid between $10 and $20 in filling out G-325 forms.
The G-325 form, Sebrechts explained, “is not an immigration application but a simple form that most people complete themselves, as it just asks for regular biographic information, such as name, gender, nationality and date of birth.”
Sebrechts said: “Sometimes people pretend to be ‘immigration experts’ to deceive you and take your money. This is against the law, but it is not against the law to charge a small fee for filling it out with the information you provide if they are not telling you how to fill out the form, answer questions or other things that are legal advice.”
She said “only certain qualified individuals can give you legal advice.”
These are attorneys; non-attorney representatives who are accredited by the Board of Immigration Appeals; or law students and law student graduates of accredited U.S. law schools with direct supervision of an attorney, accredited representative or faculty member in some cases.
Sebrechts said: “USCIS warns people to be careful. Before going to someone selling immigration advice, find out first if he or she is an attorney or BIA- accredited representative. Even a well-meaning friend, neighbor or family member can give you advice that will hurt you. You can learn facts about how to protect you and your family at www.usicis.gov/avoidscams.”
To report immigration fraud, call U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at 1-670-233-0600 or 1-877-347-2423.
Sebrechts said USCIS has used parole in the CNMI to assist with the transition.
“But it is only available on a case-by-case basis and in specific situations; it is NOT available to people as a option to remain in the CNMI when they are not otherwise eligible.”
Sebrechts said: “No one should provide false hope that parole is an answer to a foreign worker’s immigration situation if he or she is not eligible.
They should instead concentrate on making real plans for the future, either through employment in the CNMI or elsewhere. There is no general parole available for people who just want to stay in the CNMI without employment.”
