Immigrants in Colorado are losing money and time, and even risk deportation because they go to people who aren't lawyers for legal services, according to Attorney General Cynthia Coffman. A cultural disconnect is sometimes at the heart of this, but regardless of the cause, Coffman wants to do more to protect immigrants from fraud. She's looking to Boulder County, where District Attorney Stan Garnett tells Colorado Matters his department has been successful in cutting down on what's called "notario fraud," and protecting immigrants from other crimes, like sexual assaults.
Boulder County has focused on educating immigrants and notaries about U.S. immigration law, and has encouraged immigrants to contact Garnett's office when they get offers from non-attorneys to help with visa or drivers license applications.
