The bill introduces new criminal offenses targeting individuals who knowingly or recklessly engage in schemes to provide fraudulent immigration services, imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. It specifically addresses those who falsely represent themselves as attorneys or accredited representatives , increasing the maximum imprisonment to 15 years and requiring full reimbursement to victims. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General develop regulations to identify preparers of immigration documents and authorizes civil injunctions against fraudulent immigration service providers. To protect victims of fraud, the bill allows aliens to withdraw and resubmit immigration applications without prejudice if they were prepared fraudulently, and it waives certain reentry bars for individuals who departed the U.S. based on fraudulent advice. It also directs the Attorney General to implement regulations for immigration judges' contempt authority. The legislation mandates outreach programs to educate immigrant communities about authorized legal service providers and establishes a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to offer direct legal assistance to aliens in removal proceedings and those completing applications.
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2023
Introduced in House
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Immigration
Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2026
USA119th CongressHR-9803| House
| Updated: 7/21/2026
The bill introduces new criminal offenses targeting individuals who knowingly or recklessly engage in schemes to provide fraudulent immigration services, imposing penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment. It specifically addresses those who falsely represent themselves as attorneys or accredited representatives , increasing the maximum imprisonment to 15 years and requiring full reimbursement to victims. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General develop regulations to identify preparers of immigration documents and authorizes civil injunctions against fraudulent immigration service providers. To protect victims of fraud, the bill allows aliens to withdraw and resubmit immigration applications without prejudice if they were prepared fraudulently, and it waives certain reentry bars for individuals who departed the U.S. based on fraudulent advice. It also directs the Attorney General to implement regulations for immigration judges' contempt authority. The legislation mandates outreach programs to educate immigrant communities about authorized legal service providers and establishes a grant program for eligible nonprofit organizations to offer direct legal assistance to aliens in removal proceedings and those completing applications.