ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – An immigration attorney in Orlando advised that alleged victims of Legacy Imigra consult an immigration attorney as they weigh whether to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation of the disgraced business.
“If you are a victim, consult with a licensed and experienced immigration attorney,” Vanessa McCarthy, the co-founder of the Orlando Center for Justice, told News 6 Thursday.
The Orange County Sheriff’s Office revealed Wednesday that its investigators, in conjunction with Homeland Security, discovered that Legacy Imigra was a criminal enterprise disguised as a full-scale immigration agency.
Authorities arrested four people apparently associated with the immigration fraud scheme, including the company’s founder and his wife.
[BELOW: Immigration attorney warns of scams after Orange County arrests tied to $20M fraud case]
In a press conference addressing the allegations Wednesday, Mina said that seven victims of Legacy Imigra were cooperating with law enforcement, but that the true number of victims is more likely in the hundreds.
“We believe there are many more,” Mina said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re doing this press conference.”
Mina said that victims who cooperate with law enforcement could apply for a special kind of visa.
“All of our victims will be able to apply for a U Visa, which will help them remain in the country while they assist with the investigation,” Mina said. “And then they’ll have to go through the legal process to remain in the country.”
A U visa is set aside for victims of crime, but those victims must meet certain criteria in order to be eligible for the visa. That includes cooperating with law enforcement.
“I would see why the community would be a little bit hesitant into coming forward,” McCarthy said.
McCarthy pointed to the heightened anxiety amongst immigrant communities over the past two years, as immigration enforcement has ramped up across the country.
“I think it’s good that the sheriff is making this available,” McCarthy said.
While grateful for Mina informing the public of the U visa option, she said it is prudent that victims consult with a licensed attorney about the potential implications for their immigration status.
“Ultimately, immigration agents are the ones who are going to decide whether the person gets a U visa,” she said. “However, the first step is that cooperation with law enforcement.”