An attorney in Washington state, Alexandra Lozano, is accused of defrauding immigrants seeking legal status in the U.S. by fabricating stories of domestic abuse and human trafficking to obtain humanitarian visas. Several lawsuits and a legal ethics investigation highlight her actions, which reportedly leveraged immigrants’ desperation for financial gain, with clients left at risk of deportation.
Gabriel Martinez Garcia, a client, believed in Lozano’s promises and paid $30,000, only to have his family deceived and his mother placed in removal proceedings, despite her marriage to a naturalized U.S. citizen. Lozano’s firm, Luz del Camino Legal, recently closed amid numerous allegations. She surrendered her law license to avoid bar association discipline but denies any wrongdoing.
The scale of Lozano’s alleged misconduct is significant, with her signature appearing on over 53,000 pending immigration cases. Immigration attorney Erika Gonzalez described the impact on the immigration system as severe. While the number of reported immigration scams is rising sharply, Lozano’s case is notable for its size.
Exploitation of Humanitarian Visa Programs
The Trump administration had begun tightening restrictions on humanitarian visas, citing a surge in applications as a sign of widespread fraud. Lozano specialized in obtaining visas through the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act and the Violence Against Women Act. These programs aim to protect victims from having their immigration status used against them by abusers. However, these systems, with their flexible evidence standards, are vulnerable to exploitation.
Attorney Angelo Calfo, representing Lozano, claims clients were expected to review their applications, blaming them for any false claims. The Washington bar accused Lozano of fraud, leading to the shutdown of her practice and a federal investigation by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fraud unit.
Data from the Federal Trade Commission indicates an increase in immigration service scams, with over 920 reports in 2025, suggesting an undercount due to immigrants’ reluctance to report such scams. Lozano allegedly employed workers from Colombia, Mexico, and Argentina without proper U.S. legal credentials to handle cases, leaving clients without legitimate legal consultations.
Client Testimonies Reveal Deception
Rafael Alvarez, a former employee, claims Lozano instructed them to fabricate abuse stories. Erika Sanchez and her husband, former clients, paid over $32,000, believing Lozano was their best option. However, they later discovered false claims in their applications, leading to removal proceedings.
“Should I say what really happened, or what is written?” wondered Nora Murillo Moreno when she learned of false claims in her immigration application.
Surge in Visa Applications and Legal Repercussions
The alleged fraudulent practices coincide with a significant rise in visa applications for trafficking and abuse cases between 2020 and 2025. The immigration agency plans to overhaul its domestic violence visa program, citing ‘rampant fraud’. Attorney Cecelia Levin criticizes the approach, advocating for measures against scam attorneys instead of restricting visas for genuine victims.
Previously, an ethics complaint against Lozano was dismissed, but the Washington bar acted decisively when they revoked her ability to practice law. Former clients are now seeking legal recourse, filing for malpractice and compensation for legal fees, while fearing loss of legal status as they scramble to retrieve their case files.
With families like Garcia Martinez’s affected, the human cost of alleged legal malpractice is evident, as many face the fear of deportation without viable legal options.