State of California Shuts Down Operations of Pretend Lawyer

By:  Richard Hanus, Esq.

December 24, 2024

As we near a second Trump administration entering office and implementing yet to be determined muscular immigration enforcement measures, expect to hear a steady increase in alarming stories of vulnerable immigrants getting scammed by charlatans.  As the scams become more frequent and more brazen, it is incumbent on the public and law enforcement to keep a cynical eye on offers to fix an immigrant’s legal status with a solution that seems too good to be true.   In a recent example of a proactive government initiative to prosecute immigration scammers, California authorities shut down the operations of Salve Esperanza and her Los Angeles business, alleging Esperanza held herself out to be an attorney and engaged in the unauthorized practice of law.

The story starts out with a familiar set of facts.  A desperate foreign national in the U.S. seeking a path to reside legally in the U.S. is presented with an amazing option to obtain long term immigration status in exchange for the payment of tens of thousands of dollars.  The option, however, really has no chance of succeeding, although it has the appearance of legitimacy with fancy documentation being prepared, signed and submitted to government agencies like U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizenship and Immigration Services.  According to the State Bar of California, Salve Esperanza, and her company Prestige Network Resource Consulting, Inc. (PNRC, Inc.), starting in 2019, began acting out this charade, where immigrants, some who’ve entered the U.S. legally, were presented with an opportunity to obtain either student visa status or lawful permanent residence (Green Card).   In furtherance of this scheme, it’s further alleged Esperanza charged unsuspecting victims at least $10,000 -$15,000 to provide counsel, file paperwork and initiate a supposed legal process, with a referral to employer “sponsors” or educational institutions.

Instead of lawful immigration status, Esperanza’s customers received denial notices from U.S. immigration authorities along with promises by Esperanza to provide a fix for what were deemed by her as temporary setbacks.   According to the complaint, Esperanza engaged in classic immigration fraud practice, making empty promises, lying to her customers about case status, and requesting more fund for additional necessary “unforeseen” services.

For the 3 decades I have been practicing immigration law, there has never been a period where clever and resourceful immigration scammers have not looked to exploit immigrants who hope, dream and fantasize about a better, more secure, tomorrow in the U.S.   The problem is that the greater the hope, dream or fantasy, the greater the immigrant’s vulnerability to believe the charlatan and their concocted stories.    Salve Esperanza, according to the State of California, did just that, playing her desperate customers, like a symphony and she’ll probably face a criminal prosecution and perhaps jail time as a result.

No matter what the future holds for undocumented immigrants in the U.S., a version of the face of doom will likely present itself in the coming months, and my message to potential immigration scam victims is as follows:  1) do not trust just one, single source when it comes to immigration law news you hear i.e. confirm any news by way of multiple sources or news outlets, 2) consult with at least 1 or 2 experienced and reputable licensed attorneys, who focus exclusively in immigration matters before executing on a plan AND 3) be cynical of any news or promise of services that sound too good to be true.

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