Florida Sets New Standard of Consumer Protection from Independent Paralegals

The UPL Committee of the Florida Bar has come to the aid of consumers by limiting the services of independent immigration paralegals in that state. These paralegals, known as "notarios" in the Hispanic community, often convince unsuspecting immigrants that they can help them fill out a form to become a U.S. citizen, or change their resident status, etc., for a fraction of what an attorney would charge them. The problem, of course, is that immigration practice requires more than just filing out a form. It is understanding the law, gathering the salient facts, and making legal decisions for the benefit of the client. Independent paralegals are not licensed to practice law, and many do not have the training or understanding of the law to properly help immigrants. In fact, as pointed out by the UPL Committee, too often the actions of paralegals can lead to the deportation of otherwise legal immigrants.