Concerns Rise as Immigrants Face Legal Fallout from Attorney’s Misconduct
FRESNO, Calif. — Thousands of immigrants who sought legal assistance for immigration status are now facing dire consequences, with many fearing deportation. Approximately 6,000 former clients have filed a lawsuit against ex-attorney Alexandra Lozano, alleging legal misconduct and claiming they were misled into submitting improper immigration applications that put their futures in jeopardy.
Fraud Claims Emerge Against Alexandra Lozano
The lawsuit asserts that Lozano, who branded herself as the “abogada de los milagros,” or “miracle lawyer,” on social media, built a reputation within the immigrant community while engaging in fraudulent legal practices. When reporters visited one of Lozano’s former office locations in Fresno, they found it locked with the lights off. The interior was bare, apart from candles and religious artifacts referenced in the lawsuit. Just a few months prior, this office served as a haven for immigrants seeking help with green card applications and legal status.
Desperation Drives Immigrants to Seek Help
Attorney Omar Barraza, representing dozens of these former clients, highlighted the desperation that led many immigrants to Lozano. “They were eager to find legitimate pathways to legalize their status,” Barraza explained, noting that clients placed their trust in her to submit their applications.
Allegations of Deceptive Practices
The complaint details that Lozano exploited this trust by submitting immigration applications for clients who either did not qualify or lacked a clear understanding of the process. Barraza alleges that she routinely filed Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) petitions and humanitarian protection requests, such as T-visas, without fully grasping the clients’ circumstances. “Many of these individuals were ineligible for so-called consular processing,” he pointed out, noting that Lozano capitalized on their fear of returning to their home countries.
Unethical Conduct and Mismanagement
Barraza further claims that Lozano engaged in unethical conduct, including relying on unqualified staff and improperly handling clients’ signatures on documents without their knowledge or approval. “She implemented a system in which clients would sign blank papers, and then their signatures were simply pasted onto other documents,” Barraza alleged, emphasizing the scale of the deception.
Financial Impact and Loss of Credibility
The fallout from Lozano’s actions has severely undermined the credibility of applications submitted through her practice. Clients reportedly paid between $5,000 and $15,000 for her services, and at the height of her career, Lozano managed multiple immigration law firms across the West Coast, serving over 35,000 clients. Currently, many former clients are now navigating an uncertain future, with reports indicating some have been placed in deportation proceedings due to improperly handled cases.
Legal Ramifications and Recommendations
Lozano permanently surrendered her Washington law license in May to avoid disciplinary action after allegations of fraud emerged. While she denies any wrongdoing, she is also under investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Fraud Detection. Furthermore, the California Bar Association clarified that since Lozano was licensed in Washington, they have no jurisdiction to discipline her for such conduct in California.
Barraza advises current and future clients to be vigilant when seeking legal representation. Red flags may include attorneys making guarantees about immigration outcomes, firms that limit client communication with their legal representatives, and situations requiring documents to be signed without review. He also encourages anyone who suspects they may have been victimized to report the incident to law enforcement, as some may qualify for a U visa.
Former clients who believe their immigration cases were mishandled are urged to seek legal advice and may consider joining the ongoing class action lawsuit. Efforts to investigate and protect the victims of Lozano’s alleged misconduct are underway, though responses from authorities remain pending.
