As an asylum-seeker in the U.S., Jasmir Urbina lived in constant fear, watching violence escalate during immigration sweeps nationwide. She especially worried after learning about legal residents being arrested at immigration court. Having fled Nicaragua in 2022, she resided in New Orleans, waiting for her court date while regularly checking in with immigration agents. Her court date was set for late November 2025.
Days before her hearing, the Trump administration launched ‘Operation Swamp Sweep’, increasing Urbina’s anxiety. She sought help and stumbled upon a Facebook post promoting Catholic Charities, an organization assisting immigrants. Urbina connected via WhatsApp with ‘Susan Millan’, who claimed to be a lawyer. Millan’s seemingly professional appearance and personal anecdotes made Urbina feel at ease.
Trusting Millan, Urbina completed and paid for paperwork submission to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Through Zelle, Urbina and her husband paid around $10,000, money intended for their first home. In a short virtual hearing, she spoke to a man in uniform who assured her residency was granted. Urbina felt relieved when Millan said she didn’t need to attend her court date. However, when Urbina sought further communication, Millan went silent.
Urbina soon realized she was a victim of ‘notario fraud’, which exploits the misunderstanding of public notaries’ roles. Catholic Charities confirmed her suspicions. After reporting to authorities, her December check-in was changed to in-person, where she was arrested and deported.
Scams exploiting immigrants are increasing, particularly during Trump’s immigration crackdown. ProPublica’s analysis of Federal Trade Commission data from 2021-2025 shows complaints have doubled. In that period, over $94 million was reported stolen, likely an undercount due to underreporting fears.
The rise of sophisticated, AI-driven scams poses significant challenges. Imposters use platforms like Facebook to appear legitimate, targeting vulnerable individuals. Legal organizations and advocacy groups have heightened public awareness about these scams, yet they continue to proliferate.
In another case, José Aguilar was tricked by scammers posing as immigration attorneys, losing $15,000. Many immigrants were defrauded by impostors posing as legal professionals, contributing to trust erosion within the immigration system.
Legal bodies and advocacy groups are actively warning communities. Kevin Brennan from Catholic Charities advises direct contact with organizations outside social media. Despite heightened warnings, scammers remain active.
Urbina’s plight continues. A scammer promised help post-deportation, reigniting her fears about ongoing exploitation. Living with her mother in Nicaragua, Urbina remains cautious.